Star Wars Outlaws Gold Edition Review: A Shining Switch 2 Adventure

For Nintendo Switch 2 owners seeking a premium, content-rich adventure, Star Wars Outlaws Gold Edition stands out as a stellar port and an exceptional value. This version bundles the complete base game with all significant post-launch expansions, delivering a surprisingly smooth and visually impressive experience tailored for the hybrid console. It manages to preserve the core appeal of the open-world Star Wars saga while offering compelling performance that often rivals more powerful stationary systems.

The package represents outstanding value, especially compared to other platforms. Ubisoft streamlined its usual multi-tiered release strategy for the Switch 2, offering the robust Gold Edition as the standard purchase. This includes the full season pass, which adds two substantial story chapters providing roughly ten hours of new gameplay. Players also receive a wealth of cosmetic items for protagonist Kay Vess and her companion Nix, along with the Jabba’s Gambit pre-order mission. While the separate Ultimate Pack cosmetics aren’t included, the amount of content here is substantial, making the standard retail price a very attractive proposition.

The game’s faithful adaptation of the Star Wars universe remains a major strength. Set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, you follow the story of a scoundrel on the run, exploring diverse planets and navigating the galaxy’s criminal underworld. Familiar locations like Tatooine are beautifully realized, seamlessly integrated with new worlds such as the sandy Toshara Moon. The visual presentation is a highlight in handheld mode, where the game looks crisp on the console’s 1080p screen. The detail in environments holds up remarkably well, creating an experience that feels comparable to playing on an Xbox Series S, with some interior ray-tracing effects even appearing enhanced.

Performance is consistently solid, with the frame rate reliably hitting its 30fps target. Noticeable stutters are rare, typically only occurring during the most chaotic scenes filled with explosions and numerous characters. The transition from 60fps on other consoles is apparent in direct comparison, but becomes less intrusive during actual gameplay. The stability is commendable, making the occasional minor hiccup a fair trade-off for the portability. Early reports of crashes have largely been resolved through post-launch updates, leading to a stable experience for new players.

When docked and played on a 4K television, the visual experience does show some compromises. The use of upscaling can result in a softer, occasionally blurry image, particularly in dense foliage. Elements like character hair may exhibit aliasing, and pop-in in the open world becomes more noticeable. However, these are minor concessions that do little to diminish the overall enjoyment, especially for those who prioritize the flexibility of handheld play.

Ultimately, this edition is an easy recommendation for both newcomers and returning fans. If you haven’t experienced the game, this port offers a complete and uncompromised adventure. For those who have played elsewhere, the inclusion of all DLC and the sheer convenience of a handheld version make revisiting the galaxy far, far away a fresh and enjoyable prospect. It successfully translates a major open-world title into a portable format without sacrificing its heart, standing as one of the most impressive technical achievements in the Nintendo Switch 2’s library.

(Source: techradar)