Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card Review
The Wild Card expansion breathes new life into Star Wars Outlaws, refining gameplay mechanics and delivering a compact yet engaging narrative that highlights the game's potential. While it doesn’t fix all of the base game’s shortcomings, it sets a promising standard for future content.
Gameplay Enhancements: Smoother and More Forgiving
One of the most welcome improvements in Wild Card is the overhaul of combat and stealth mechanics. The expansion dials back the punishing instant-fail stealth scenarios, making sneaky approaches far more enjoyable and accessible. These changes enhance the gameplay experience, allowing players to experiment with different tactics without fear of immediate failure.
However, while the enemy AI has seen some improvement, it still falls short of expectations. The lack of advanced behaviours and adaptive strategies from foes undermines the game’s ambitious design, leaving encounters feeling predictable at times.
Visuals and Performance: A Mixed Bag
Visually, Wild Card continues to showcase the stunning artistry of the Star Wars Outlaws universe. From lush, dense forests to sprawling, vibrant cityscapes, the expansion’s environments are nothing short of breathtaking. Dynamic lighting and detailed textures further enhance the sense of immersion, bringing the galaxy to life in spectacular fashion.
Unfortunately, technical issues persist. Occasional crashes and flickering lighting effects mar an otherwise polished presentation, reminding players of the base game’s lingering performance woes. While these hiccups don’t ruin the experience, they’re a frustrating distraction from the expansion’s visual brilliance.
Story and Characters: A Stellar Highlight
The narrative of Wild Card is its standout feature, delivering a tightly crafted story with high stakes and engaging twists. A guest appearance by Lando Calrissian injects a dose of charm and nostalgia, and his interactions with Kay Vess are a delight. Kay remains a compelling protagonist, her journey adding depth and nuance to the Star Wars Outlaws universe.
However, the expansion continues to shy away from major Star Wars canon events, a choice that feels like a missed opportunity. For fans eager to see deeper ties to the broader lore, this omission may leave a sense of unfulfilled potential.
Mission Design: A Step Above
The missions in Wild Card are some of the best the series has to offer, combining tight pacing, creative objectives, and memorable set pieces. These standout moments underscore the uneven quality of the base game’s main campaign, leaving players wishing the core experience had delivered the same level of polish and excitement.
Final Thoughts: A Promising Expansion
Wild Card represents Star Wars Outlaws at its finest, showcasing the game’s potential with refined mechanics, stunning visuals, and an engaging narrative. While it doesn’t address all of the base game’s flaws, it offers a glimpse of what the series could achieve with further updates and expansions.
For fans of Star Wars Outlaws, Wild Card is a must-play. Its strong missions and improved gameplay mechanics leave players eager for more, even as they highlight the base game’s missed opportunities.
