With the recent buzz surrounding Assassin’s Creed Shadows calming down, gamers are on the lookout for their next expansive open-world experience. This year is set to unveil a wealth of impressive titles. However, many noteworthy games released last year remain underappreciated. Interestingly, one such title came from Ubisoft, a company that invested substantial resources into its development. Despite a rather positive critical reception, the game’s sales were disappointing, failing to meet initial expectations.
Numerous glowing reviews and player feedback about Assassin’s Creed Shadows highlight the evolution of Ubisoft as a developer. Yet, the previous title also showcased a range of enhancements that Shadows offers, but unfortunately remained overlooked due to its limited player base. It’s high time we reassess this underrated Ubisoft entry and give it the recognition it deserves.
Star Wars Outlaws: A Hidden Gem
A Strong Foundation
Star Wars Outlaws stands out as a commendable Ubisoft title that attracted minimal attention upon release. The game’s disappointing sales figures placed it significantly lower than Star Wars Jedi: Survivor in 2024, leading many potential players to postpone trying it until its inevitable markdowns. Nonetheless, these sales do not truly reflect the game’s quality; it effectively addresses many of the shortcomings found in previous Ubisoft titles and delivers one of the most engaging Star Wars narratives seen in years.
In fact, Assassin’s Creed Shadows falls short in several areas compared to the strengths of Star Wars Outlaws.
Comparative Advantages of Star Wars Outlaws
Enhanced Exploration Mechanisms
Although the visual appeal of Assassin’s Creed Shadows is commendable, its more linear structure can limit exploration opportunities. Conversely, Star Wars Outlaws promotes a richer exploration experience with numerous well-hidden secrets that are more intuitively discovered. The game’s reputation system, while simple, adds depth to the world, influencing how players interact with it, unlike Shadows.
Moreover, Star Wars Outlaws’ skill development system is far more sophisticated. Players must actively seek out mentors and fulfill quests to unlock abilities, crafting a more immersive gameplay experience. This contrasts with Shadows’ conventional approach to skill trees, making Outlaws a more dynamic choice. Additionally, the constraints on Kay Vess’ weaponry, though sometimes a source of frustration, encourage adaptive combat tactics, adding layers of excitement to encounters.
A Worthwhile Experience
Highly Recommended, Especially on Discount
Recent updates to Star Wars Outlaws have significantly improved the gameplay experience, refining frustrating elements and adding depth to previously superficial mechanics. While it still carries the hallmark design flaws of a typical Ubisoft game, Star Wars Outlaws merits attention for its true quality. Now is the ideal time for those who missed out on it initially to dive into this title, especially given its frequent discounts.
Star Wars Outlaws surpasses Assassin’s Creed Shadows in several respects, making it a compelling recommendation. Players who were disappointed with Shadows’ world-building and combat mechanics might find much more to enjoy in Outlaws. Though Shadows excels in stealth gameplay, Outlaws offers a focused narrative style that harks back to the series’ original storytelling approach. Fans of Assassin’s Creed should definitely give Star Wars Outlaws the acknowledgment it truly deserves.