Summary
Because Kay Vess doesn’t appear Force-sensitive and doesn’t wield a lightsaber it might be easy to attribute her gameplay to ubiquitous shooter mechanics. However, what’s been shown thus far of combat looks anything but typical and that’s for the best; not only becauseStar Warsdeserves better gameplay in its first open-world gamebut also because Kay is a scoundrel whose experience in combat should shape her fighting tactics differently than a trained soldier, for instance.
Scoundrel characters would ultimately fall flat if they didn’t have at least a bit of resourcefulness and overconfidence to carry them blindly through suicide missions nobody else is foolish enough to tackle. That said,Star Wars Outlawshas already expressed that Kay is competent with blasters, unafraid to pistol-whip someone at an unfriendly meeting, and even more skilled at acting on improvisation in high-stakes situations. Much ofStar Wars Outlaws’ combat will revolve around gunplay with Kay’s blaster pistol or a blaster picked up temporarily in the environment, though Kay isn’t shy about getting in close to dish out melee takedowns.
Star Wars Outlaws’ Kay Doesn’t Pull Punches and Nor Should She
To say Han Solo was a skilled fighter seems inaccurate. Rather, what Han brought to any shootout or scuffle was a whole lot of bravery, whether foolish or not. That’s what makesStar Wars’ scoundrel archetypefascinating, though.
Improvisational skills are key to a smuggler’s dicey life, where bounty hunters or other random assailants and criminals could have a blaster at their back in an instant.
Nothing is known about why Kay’s found herself in such a life, but thankfully she is well where she belongs and doesn’t seem the least bit out of place in a galaxy where a profit can be turned at others’ expense and violence can go a long way in achieving that goal. It would be one thing if Kay fought enemies only to defend herself, which may be the case in some scenarios where she’s fleeing from them, yet it’s another to see Kay being decidedly brutal in how she wields violence.
A quick cut of a meeting between Kay and a sullustan—anotherparallel between Kay Vess and Han Solomirroring Han’s exchange with Greedo—ends poorly in the sullustan’s favor as Kay strikes their face against a table before hitting them with her blaster, for instance. This also follows Kay seemingly feigning being cordial with them as she puts her hand on their shoulder, suggesting she can be deceptive. This will be a godsend for Kay as it’ll make her character far more robust than a traditional do-gooder and that’s precisely the moral ambiguity a scoundrel character should possess.
Kay’s Combat Mixes Hard Hits with Lucky Improvisation in Star Wars Outlaws
Star Wars Outlaws’ initial gameplay revealshowed that there’ll be an entire mechanic where Kay has a chance to draw and hip-fire her blaster if an enemy notices her while in stealth. Moreover, montages have shown various melee combat techniques Kay employs that differ from the standard flurry of punches any other protagonist might rely on but, incredibly, Kay does like to throw punches and not simply resort to less offensive maneuvers: stealth finishers allow Kay to get up behind an enemy and take them out with a swift uppercut, for example, while Kay may also be able to sprint into a slide to close the distance on an enemy before knocking them back with a front kick all in the same motion.
Knowing Kay has her fists balled and is ready to behave like a hardened scoundrel is going to pay dividends in making her not seem like aclassic lighthearted protagonist inOutlaws. Now, the onus is hopefully on Massive to refuse to backpedal from that brilliant choice later in the story.
Star Wars Outlaws
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience the first-ever open world Star Wars game and explore distinct planets across the galaxy, both iconic and new. Risk it all as Kay Vess, an emerging scoundrel seeking freedom and the means to start a new life. Fight, steal, & outwit your way through the galaxy’s crime syndicates as you join the galaxy’s most wanted. If you’re willing to take the risk, the galaxy is full of opportunity.DISCOVER A GALAXY OF OPPORTUNITYExplore distinct planets with bustling cities and cantinas before racing across sprawling outdoor landscapes on your speeder. Each planet brings new adventures, unique challenges, and enticing rewards if you’re willing to take the risk.EXPERIENCE AN ORIGINAL SCOUNDREL STORYLive the high-stakes lifestyle of an outlaw. With Nix by your side, turn any situation to your advantage: fight with your blaster, overcome enemies with stealth and gadgets, or find the right moments to distract enemies and gain the upper hand.EMBARK ON HIGH-STAKES MISSIONSTake on high-risk, high-reward missions from the galaxy’s crime syndicates. Steal valuable goods, infiltrate secret locations, and outwit enemies as one of the galaxy’s most wanted. Every choice you make influences your ever-changing reputation.JUMP INTO THE PILOT SEATPilot your ship, The Trailblazer, as you engage in thrilling dogfights with The Empire and other foes, finding the right opportunities to chase, evade, and attack to get the upper hand.
