Ubisoft’s upcoming open-world action game, Star Wars Outlaws, throws you headfirst into the thick of one of the franchise’s most beloved films: The Empire Strikes Back. An interview from Kotaku confirmed the game begins during the iconic Battle of Hoth. This would place players amidst the Rebel Alliance’s desperate stand against the relentless Imperial onslaught.
In the interview, Narrative Director Navid Khavari said this is just where the game begins. The war for the galaxy is at its most intense here, and the fragile Rebellion clings to survival, hunted across the cosmos by Darth Vader’s iron fist. Hoth is a turning point, a desperate gamble that leaves heroes scattered and the future bleak. This is the backdrop for Outlaws’ outlaw protagonist, a character who, according to the developers, operates outside the traditional Rebellion-Empire conflict.
“Outlaws follows the Battle of Hoth at a time when The Empire is ruling the galaxy with an iron fist… The rebels are on the back foot, and while everyone is caught up and somewhat distracted by the ongoing civil unrest, there’s a vacuum that creates the perfect opportunity for the underworld to rise and gain power out of sight of Imperial rule.”
Navid Khavari
This neutral ground could make for some fascinating narrative tightropes. Navigating the political minefield between Luke Skywalker’s fledgling Jedi journey, Leia Organa’s cunning leadership, and Han Solo’s charming roguery promises intrigue and danger in equal measure. The open-world nature of Outlaws adds another layer, letting players explore corners of the Star Wars universe not directly addressed in the film.
We might uncover hidden Rebel outposts, witness skirmishes from a civilian’s perspective, or even stumble upon secrets the movie never revealed. To me, that’s the most exciting part of it all. This is after the Death Star’s destruction, and the rebels would be clear terrorists. It would be difficult to be a smuggler since the empire would be strict, but we would see how it was when it had just begun fighting back in earnest.
The main character is likely to smuggle weapons or something for the alliance at the Battle of Hoth. Their escape would probably happen with the other rebels who left the area. We’ll have to see how to navigate the galaxy after the Battle of Hoth, but doing so in an open world will answer lingering questions about the timeline. For more on the game, check out our article on Star Wars Outlaws living up to its title or how it may have taken inspiration from 1313.
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