Star Wars Outlaws will remove mandatory stealth sections that penalized players.

Ubisoft has released an update for Star Wars Outlaws, introducing changes highly requested by players who have expressed their concerns since the game's launch in August. In this regard, the company and developer Massive Entertainment have detailed the features of Title Update 1.4, which was distributed on Thursday for PC and consoles.

According to game director Fredrik Thylander, they have focused on enhancing the player experience by providing more options in their playstyle. This means that, instead of being forced to use stealth in certain areas, such as the syndicates' districts, players can now choose from different approaches: they can opt for stealth or direct action with their blaster. Additionally, enemies now have visible weak points that, when hit, can cause explosions or spectacular deaths. The accuracy of shooting has also improved, allowing for more effective shots from different positions.

Regarding stealth, the update has made adjustments to facilitate this gameplay mechanic. At first, players faced difficulties in the stealth sections, where a simple mistake could result in being sent back to the last checkpoint. With the new improvements, players now have a better sense of whether they are being detected, allowing them to react similarly to other stealth-focused games.

Drew Rechner, the new creative director, noted that certain restrictions in missions limited player freedom, which could become frustrating. Update 1.4 largely focuses on improving combat, which was one of the main drawbacks of the game. Alongside these enhancements, quality-of-life changes have also been implemented, such as the ability to hold two-handed weapons while climbing or using hooks, preventing them from dropping.

Furthermore, enemy AI has been adjusted for better decision-making. Players can check the patch notes for additional details, including graphical changes that now offer the option to disable cinematic visuals in favor of a sharper appearance. The update also accompanies other planned elements, such as the release of the first story pack titled Wild Card, where Kay joins Lando Calrissian in an exciting game of Sabacc.

In terms of gameplay dynamics, Star Wars Outlaws pays homage to the classics of the 80s by featuring minigames inspired by arcade machines. Players can find these games in booths near the cantinas on the various planets in the game. Among the minigames, one is called Raven 6, a space shooter reminiscent of the iconic Star Wars arcade game, and the other is Racer, a timed race game that challenges players to finish a track without crashing.

Additionally, the importance of the syndicates within the game is highlighted. These criminal groups fight for control of the planets, and players can work with them to improve their reputation and earn exclusive rewards. Each syndicate has its own reputation meter that can be increased by completing missions for them or decreased by taking actions against them.

Unlike other role-playing games, Star Wars Outlaws will not feature a traditional leveling system. Instead, players can find special characters called Experts, who will help Kay enhance her skills, as long as they are sought out and assisted in their own narratives.