Star Wars Outlaws Review (Switch 2): A Gritty Galactic Adventure on Nintendo’s New Console

When it comes to Star Wars games, expectations are always sky-high. Fans want sweeping adventures, lightsaber duels, and those unforgettable cinematic moments that feel straight out of the movies. Yet Star Wars Outlaws, now available on Nintendo Switch 2, takes a very different path. Instead of putting players in the shoes of a Jedi, it drops us into the messy underworld of the galaxy far, far away. And honestly? It works.

I originally played and reviewed Outlaws back in 2024 on another platform, giving it a solid 8/10. Revisiting the game on Switch 2 gave me a chance to confirm whether that score still holds up. Spoiler: it absolutely does. In fact, this port might be one of the best reasons to get excited about Nintendo’s latest hardware.

A Different Side of Star Wars

The most refreshing thing about Star Wars Outlaws is that it doesn’t try to be a traditional Jedi story. We’ve had plenty of those already. Instead, Massive Entertainment shifts the focus to the galaxy’s scoundrels, criminals, and hustlers—the types you’d usually find hanging around smoky cantinas with suspicious drinks in their hands.

This isn’t about destiny, prophecy, or hidden Force powers. It’s about survival. The game puts you in control of Kay Vess, a scrappy outlaw trying to escape her past by pulling off the ultimate space heist. She’s not swinging a lightsaber or unlocking mystical abilities. She’s sneaking, stealing, fighting dirty, and making deals with shady factions to stay alive.

That shift in tone makes Outlaws stand out. The Star Wars galaxy feels richer and more grounded when you’re living on the fringes instead of standing in the spotlight. Instead of hopping from one famous location to another, you’re exploring places that feel authentic but less explored—seedy underworlds, dangerous outposts, and lawless stretches of space where the Empire’s grip doesn’t quite reach.

Kay Vess: An Unlikely Hero

At first, Kay might not seem like the most compelling lead. She doesn’t immediately ooze charisma in the same way as Han Solo or Cassian Andor. But give her time, and she grows into a genuinely likable and layered protagonist. Her mix of vulnerability, wit, and determination makes her journey believable, especially as she slowly builds a crew and navigates the galaxy’s criminal networks.

Kay isn’t alone either. She’s joined by her small alien companion, Nix, who adds both utility and comic relief. Admittedly, Nix won’t be everyone’s cup of tea—some players might find him more gimmicky than endearing—but he does serve a practical purpose in puzzles and exploration.

And then there’s Zerek Besh, the game’s villain. As the leader of a ruthless crime syndicate, Besh brings real menace to the story. He’s slimy, calculating, and always one step ahead, making him a worthy adversary for Kay’s outlaw journey.

Gameplay: Stealth, Strategy, and Scoundrel Tricks

Don’t expect non-stop blaster firefights here. Outlaws is far more methodical than other Star Wars games. Yes, you can run in guns blazing, but you’ll often have better luck creeping through environments, disabling enemies, and plotting your moves.

Gameplay draws inspiration from several well-known franchises. There are shades of Metal Gear Solid, Dishonored, and even Assassin’s Creed. You’ll crouch, sneak, hack, and use tools to outsmart foes. Combat feels satisfying when you do decide to pull the trigger, with blasters that sound exactly like they should from the movies.

What’s particularly fun is how the game handles faction dynamics. You’re constantly balancing relationships with different syndicates—the Hutts, Pyke Syndicate, Crimson Dawn, and others. Help one, and you’ll likely anger another. These choices matter. They shape your missions, dictate how enemies respond to you, and make the world feel reactive.

For example, double-crossing the Hutts might mean you’ll face tougher resistance when traveling through their territory later. It’s not overly complex, but it gives you enough freedom to feel like you’re living the scoundrel fantasy.

The Star Wars Heist Fantasy

At its core, Outlaws is a heist story. Kay is trying to assemble a crew, stay ahead of Besh, and set up the ultimate job to secure her freedom. The narrative unfolds between the events of Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, which is one of the most exciting eras in the franchise.

That timeline gives the story real weight. The Empire is stretched thin after its losses, but still powerful enough to crush anyone who steps out of line. Meanwhile, the galaxy’s criminal underworld is thriving. This backdrop makes Kay’s outlaw tale feel like it truly belongs in the Star Wars universe, while still offering something fresh and distinct from the Jedi saga.

Exploration and Tools

Beyond sneaking and shooting, Kay has a variety of tools at her disposal. Her speeder bike allows for fast traversal through open environments, while her rappel gear helps with vertical exploration. Nix often plays a role in interacting with the environment, though opinions will vary on whether he adds charm or simply slows things down.

The good news is that exploration feels rewarding. Hidden lore, credits, gear, and Easter eggs are scattered throughout the world, encouraging players to poke around every corner. Fans of Star Wars will appreciate the subtle nods to the films and extended lore.

Performance on Switch 2: Surprisingly Solid

Now, let’s address the big question: how does Star Wars Outlaws run on Switch 2?

Honestly, much better than expected. The fear with open-world games on Nintendo hardware has always been performance. Yet here, Massive Entertainment and the porting team have delivered.

Frame rate: The game runs at a stable 30fps. While it doesn’t hit 60fps, the performance feels smooth, especially in handheld mode. Motion blur (which can be toggled off) helps keep the action fluid.
Visuals: Character models aren’t the best in the industry, but environments look fantastic. Even on a large screen in docked mode, the visuals hold up impressively well.
Features: Motion controls are integrated smoothly, and players can fine-tune sensitivity. There’s also cross-save support and touchscreen inventory management, which make this version uniquely convenient.

The speeder bike sequences, which could have been disastrous for performance, hold up without major stutters. That’s a huge win for Switch 2 players.

Length and Replay Value

Star Wars Outlaws offers about 30–40 hours of story content, with an additional 20 hours for those who want to explore everything. That’s a very manageable length for a modern open-world game—long enough to feel substantial without becoming bloated.

Replay value comes from experimenting with faction choices, exploring different paths through missions, and discovering hidden lore. While the core gameplay loop isn’t groundbreaking, it’s consistently fun and fits the story well.

Strengths of Star Wars Outlaws

Unique perspective: Focus on outlaws instead of Jedi feels fresh.
Faction system: Syndicate relationships make choices matter.
Authentic Star Wars feel: Blaster sounds, environments, and lore nods all feel genuine.
Switch 2 performance: Stable, polished, and feature-rich port.
Engaging protagonist: Kay Vess grows into a likable and memorable lead.

Weaknesses to Consider

Character models: Not as polished as modern AAA games.
Repetitive stealth: Some missions fall into familiar patterns.
Nix factor: The companion won’t appeal to everyone.
Limited innovation: Gameplay borrows heavily from other franchises without reinventing much.

Final Verdict

Star Wars Outlaws isn’t a flawless masterpiece, but it doesn’t need to be. What it delivers is a grounded, engaging adventure that feels like a genuine slice of Star Wars history. By focusing on criminals, scoundrels, and underworld politics, it carves out a space in the galaxy that we rarely get to explore.

On Switch 2, the game runs far better than expected, offering a smooth, feature-rich experience both docked and handheld. The 30fps cap may disappoint some, but it’s stable, responsive, and more than enough to enjoy the game.

For fans of Star Wars and Switch 2 owners, this is an easy recommendation. Whether you’re sneaking through enemy territory, blasting stormtroopers, or outsmarting rival syndicates, Outlaws nails the scoundrel fantasy.

Score: 8/10 – A gritty, well-executed Star Wars adventure that shines on Nintendo Switch 2.