Star Wars Outlawswas always going to have Easter eggs and references as its monopolizing umbrella IP can’t help itself in even the most niche pieces ofStar Warsmedia, let alone ones directly embedded in events from its three big trilogies of movies. The original trilogy may be cherished for nostalgia’s sake or its simplicity and authenticity in storytelling, but it is also the trilogy with the least amount of games presently dedicated to it. Many games lately have indulged in theperiod between the prequels and the original trilogy for its rich post-Clone Wars subtext, whereasStar Wars Outlawsbravely embeds itself in the trilogy and has to bear the weight of that decision.
Star Wars Outlawsfixed the race in this regard, so to speak, as it allows itself to have grandiose Easter eggs by pulling up a seat and etching its name betweenThe Empire Strikes BackandReturn of the Jedi. But, while other studios might fumble these references or have them be superficial, Massive is somehow miraculously able to make these moments intimate and thoughtful within its own narrative. Perhaps the most profound reference, then, is the Lars Homestead on Tatooine and how Ubisoft elevated it to be a poignant and immersive moment in the open-world sandbox.
Tatooine is easily the most popularStar Warsplanet featured inOutlawsand, not dissimilarly, Tatooine also happens to be one of the planetsStar Warsmedia visits most often. Thankfully,Outlaws’ adaptation of the desert planet grants itself leniency to dig into that iconography unabashedly since it is narratively mandatory for it to do so.
It makes sense that Han Solo is already frozen in carbonite and on display at Jabba’s palace, for instance, while aconsiderable Imperial occupancy in Mos Eisleyand surrounding areas is also valid. Likewise, being situated in the narrative of the original trilogy and having to guarantee that world-building tethers are connected, the Lars Homestead where Luke Skywalker was raised is featured and explorable.
Massive might’ve been able to have theGreat Chott salt flat moisture farmlooking cleaned up and maybe even covered up in an effort to merely depict its nostalgia, and yet it chose to make this reference far more insightful. As Kay Vess and Nix arrive, dialogue between two locals actually adds to the lore with a look at the Lars Homestead reduced to rubble and ashes as well as how they have perceived and speculated on it sinceA New Hope.
It’s fascinating seeing the moisture farm from the perspective of characters—Kay included—who didn’t know Luke, Owen, or Beru and are curious as to what may have occurred there. Indeed, Luke leaves his home with the corpses of his adoptive aunt and uncle still smoldering, and Massive is correct not to downplay or obfuscate that tragedy but instead wield it as a solemn reminder of the state of the galaxy, which in turn makes the Lars Homestead’s appearance inStar Wars Outlawsthematically resonant.
Star Wars Outlaws’ Tatooine is a Hotbed of Nostalgia
The Lars Homestead is only a footnote of a much wider open map. Still, Tatooine is peppered thoroughly with such references that are coherent within the timeline and forgivable anyway because every other explorable planet inStar Wars Outlawshas far more original or less iconic content.
Jabba’s palace and the rancor it houses are fan-service treats for anyone who fondly remembersReturn of the Jedi, for example, while a dead sarlacc in the middle of the dunes ties into that iconography further. Likewise, one of the most horrifying occurrences inStar Wars Outlawsis when suddenly coming across agigantic, fearsome Krayt Dragonthat looms over Kay and attacks players from beneath the sand.
