Summary
According to many fans of the series, since Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, the expanded universe and lore ofthe franchise have been in a state of relative unease.However, with the use of specifically placed television series, literature, and games, this lore has been expanded greatly.
From the inclusion of new locations and species to theStar Warscanon to the return of characters and planets long thought lost, the lore of the franchise has been greatly expanded byStar Wars: Outlaws' release.
8A Return To Sequel-Era Locations Thought Lost
Giving Long-Despised Locales A Chance To Shine
While the sequel trilogy of films - beginning with 2015’sThe Force Awakensand concluding withThe Rise of Skywalkerin 2019 - was commercially successful, its reception by fans of the series was dismal. As such, the creative forces behind theStar Warsfranchise have seemingly attempted to veer as far from anything connected to Disney-era motion pictures as possible.
However inStar Wars: Outlaws, Massive Entertainment has not only brought the planet Cantonica - first seen inThe Last Jedi- firmly into the fold but established thatStar Wars: Outlaws' protagonist Kay Vess calls it home. Beyond that,The Rise of Skywalker’soriginal planet of Kijimireturns as one of the traversable planets players can roam across.
7New Planets And Locations Introduced In Outlaws
Creating New Settings For Star Wars Fans To Explore
Although Star Wars story staples such as Tatooine return inStar Wars: Outlaws, the title is not afraid to include its own host of original planets to the lore of the “galaxy far, far away”.
Mostly controlled by the Pyke Syndicate but with conflict with Crimson Dawn, the arid moon of Toshara is unique toStar Wars: Outlawsand was included in much of the title’s promotional work. The humid planet of Akiva on the other hand, has appeared inStar Warsmaterial before, yetStar Wars: Outlawsis the planet’s inaugural visual debut.
6New Species Added As NPCs And Companions
Adding Cute & Creative Creatures To The Star Wars Lore
While the humanoid actors of theStar Warsgalaxy understandably get the most screen time, thealien species and animal faunaof the fictional universe have tantalized fans since 1977.
With the inclusion of new and returning planets inStar Wars: Outlaws, players can interact with and spy on various new creatures in the lore of the series. These range from Toshara-native creatures such as the herd-like Robuma’s and skittish Gushiro’s, to the Bantha-esque cold-weather subspecies from Kijimi; the Henku. That is not even paying mention to the unique cover-art companion of protagonist Kay Bess; ‘Nix’ the Merqaal.
5The Inclusion Of Cameos From The Expanded Universe
Reinforcing LIterary Works In More Accessible Media
Two years after the acquisition of Lucasfilm by the Walt Disney Company in 2012, the canonicity of multiple decades of Expanded Universe fiction in theStar Warsuniverse was set to rest for a new era of motion pictures, video games, and literature.
However, in the decade since this decision, many aspects of ‘Legends’ lore and new literary works have been slowly drip-fed into the newStar Warscanon. Through its relationship with theStar Warsproperty, Massive Entertainment has reintroduced or reinforced many multimedia projects. This ranges from the inclusion of the Sixth Kin criminal syndicate in Cantonica, the inclusion ofAftermathand sequel-trilogy character Snap Wexley as an ‘Expert’, to the game’s continuity with theCrimson Reigncomic series.
4Original Speeder & Starship Hardware Introduced
Giving Fans More Choices For In-Universe Spacefaring
WhileStar Warsfans seemingly have anendless love for X-Wing Starfighters, Lambda-class shuttles, and 74-Z speeders, it’s relatively safe to say that an expansion ofStar Warshardware has been sorely needed.
As such, Kay Vess’s unique starship and speeder bike have not only invigorated theStar Warscanon with new vehicles but created a unique identity forStar Wars: Outlaws. Players will fix up and pilot Vess’s ‘Trailblazer’ EML-850 light freighter throughout the title, which will accompany them throughout their playtime with the game. While on land, and needing a quick getaway, Vess is also in ownership of a new-to-the-lore S57 Cardinal speeder bike which can similarly be customized and upgraded.
3A Deep Dive Into The World Of Shadowy Syndicates
A Never-Before-Seen Access To The Star Wars Universe’s Underworld
TheClone WarsandMandaloriantelevision series, along with motion pictures such asSolo, have gradually brought the underground world ofStar Wars' criminal syndicates to the narrative foreground. However, in playingStar Wars: Outlaws, fans can arguably plunge deeper into these shady organizations than ever before.
By traversing just the select cluster of the galaxy available to Kay Vess, players can observe and interact with the inner workings of severalStar Warssyndicates; from the Pykes, Crimson Dawn, Ashiga Clan, and the infamous Hutts Cartel. Beyond these staples, long-thought-lost organizations such as the Sixth Kin and Zerek Besh make dynamic appearances as well.
2Zerek Besh’s First Non-Graphic Novel Appearance
Reinforcing The Devious Dynamism Of The Fan-Favorite Syndicate
The ISB-skewed criminal syndicate Zerek Besh was first mentioned in June 2022’sCrimson Reigncomic bookand made its first appearance inHidden Empire’s September 2022 debut.
However,Star Wars: Outlawsis the first time many fans will have interacted with the organization. Beyond this, even those familiar with the Imperial-aligned syndicate won’t have had the ability to interact with the group until Massive Entertainment’s title. Initially founded by Sliro Barsha, who fans can finally see unobscured inStar Wars: Outlaws, Zerek Besh is partly funded by - and aligned with - the Empire’s Imperial Security Bureau.
1An Expansion Of The Period Between Episodes 5 & 6
Making A Mark In A Relatively Untouched Narrative Space
After the events ofEpisode 5: The Empire Strikes Back- where Luke Skywalker is maimed and the Rebellion is on the back foot - and before the triumphantEpisode 6defeat of the Empire, the events ofStar Wars: Outlawstake place.
There are a plethora of cameos, new additions, and expansions to theStar Warslore inStar Wars: Outlaws. However, the simple fact is thatStar Wars: Outlaws' greatest contribution to the lore is itself. While video games such asStar Wars: Battlefront 2andStar Wars: Squadronshave often tackled the period between Episodes6and7,Star Wars: Outlawsplaces itself on a fertile narrative ground. As such, the content of the game - from the Syndicates to the worlds players visit - all contribute to this murky, desperate time for theStar Warsuniverse and the Galactic Civil War.
