Star Wars Outlaws Reportedly Performs Poorly on Switch 2, But it Never Performed Well on Other Systems Either

It’s rumored that “Star Wars Outlaws” may face significant challenges prior to its release on Nintendo Switch 2. However, for those well-versed in the game, this news might not be surprising at all.

When the game Star Wars Outlaws was initially unveiled, Ubisoft marketed it as the ultimate open-world Star Wars adventure – an expansive game that allowed players to traverse planets, voyage through space, and realize the dream of being a smuggler in a distant galaxy. With Disney and Lucasfilm supporting the franchise, the publisher boasted the game as a significant leap for both Star Wars gaming and Ubisoft’s collection of titles.

However, when the game “Outlaws” debuted on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC in August 2024, the gameplay was far from seamless. As the game prepares for its second release on Nintendo’s upcoming console, the Switch 2, early indications hint that the pattern of “Star Wars Outlaws” letdown might be recurring.

Hands-On Impressions Paint a Troubling Picture

At PAX West, I got to test out the upcoming game, Outlaws, on the Switch 2. However, from what I’ve seen and read from gaming outlets like Good Vibes Gaming, the performance wasn’t all that promising. They mentioned that the game seemed to struggle, running at less than ideal frames per second, often dipping below 30 even in relatively simple environments like narrow Star Destroyer hallways or during brief space combat sequences.

What’s even more alarming is that Ubisoft prohibited any recording during the event. This meant journalists and influencers couldn’t share gameplay footage, instead only written reviews were available online. This action sparked speculation that the publisher may have been aware that the port was not yet ready for public scrutiny.

An unofficially released 40-minute gameplay video by YouTuber mataleao presented a slightly varying perspective. In the docked mode, the game’s performance seemed more fluid, with some suggesting it was on par with highly optimized versions of Cyberpunk 2077. However, this footage left one significant query unanswered: how does Star Wars Outlaws fare in handheld mode, which is the primary use for Nintendo Switch devices? Given the lack of official disclosure, doubts have intensified.

A History of Technical Turmoil

In the lead-up to the launch of Nintendo Switch 2, I wasn’t surprised by the initial apprehension. After all, Star Wars Outlaws had one of the rockiest technical debuts for a contemporary AAA game in recent times.

Star Wars Outlaws needs a few patches to deal with the bugginess.

Kinda hard to do stealth when stuff like this happens. 😅

— KAMI (@Okami13_) August 26, 2024

Among the most widely reported issues:

Stealth mechanics were broken: Enemies often failed to react, detected players through walls, or simply ignored stealth kills altogether.
AI inconsistencies undermined gameplay: Patrols glitched into loops, enemies got stuck in geometry, and entire missions could be broken by faulty triggers.
Speeder controls felt incomplete: Vehicles handled poorly, with jittery animations and unreliable collision detection.
Animations frequently bugged: Characters clipped through environments, dialogue scenes played out with bizarre physics errors, and facial animation stutters killed immersion.

IGN on Star Wars Outlaws final preview:

-Journalist: ‘I’m having a blast with Star Wars’ fighting mechanics!’

Video: Game Seemingly Shattered Beyond Recognition, with Characters Perplexed, “Why Am I Here?” 😉

— LearningTheLaw ✝️ (@Mangalawyer) July 30, 2024

As a passionate filmgoer, I’ve got to say, Ubisoft moved swiftly with patch 1.2, tweaking AI positions, enhancing stealth mechanics, and polishing speeder sensitivity. However, the sheer number of core systems that needed immediate attention highlighted just how incomplete the game felt at its initial premiere.

The Infamous PS5 Save Corruption Bug

Initially after its release, one of the game’s most devastating setbacks occurred with an update for PlayStation 5. In an attempt to provide a 40 fps graphics mode for improved visuals, Ubisoft unfortunately introduced a catastrophic save-data glitch instead. Players who installed the patch discovered their progress erased, requiring them to start the game from scratch with a fresh save file.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve invested plenty of time into the deluxe or early-access editions of Outlaws, only to find myself losing hours upon hours of progress. Ubisoft attempted to make amends by offering some cosmetic upgrades and in-game currency, but it was too little, too late. The frustration boiled over on social media, with countless angry posts, and mainstream outlets jumped on the bandwagon, labeling Outlaws as a disaster.

Ubisoft Acknowledges Star Wars Fatigue

The consequences went beyond simple technical errors. Later, Ubisoft’s CEO, Yves Guillemot, admitted that the game didn’t live up to the anticipated standards. He pointed out two major reasons for this: The game Outlaws lacked the high-quality finish usually associated with a big-budget production, and at that time, the Star Wars franchise was going through a rough patch.

He characterized the franchise as experiencing turbulent times, alluding to the cancellation of Disney’s The Acolyte series and the cool response to other recent Star Wars productions. For Ubisoft, the timing was particularly harsh. Even an efficiently designed game might have found it challenging to leverage brand excitement during such a low ebb.

The sales figures fell short, compelling Ubisoft to adjust their launch plan. It was discovered that a follow-up for Outlaws, tentatively named “Outlaws 2”, had already commenced preliminary development but was ultimately abandoned due to the initial game’s underwhelming reception.

Can Switch 2 Save Star Wars Outlaws?

The significance of Switch 2’s port becomes particularly noteworthy for Ubisoft and Star Wars Outlaws. If this game can be revived on Nintendo’s latest system, it could help alleviate the financial strain caused by its initial rough launch and re-engage players who may have overlooked it initially.

However, this venture carries a significant amount of risk. Historically, Nintendo’s standing has been built upon meticulous optimization and smooth, well-finished releases, even for games developed by third parties. If _Outlaws_ debuts with the same issues like frame rate lags, performance problems on handheld devices, and buggy gameplay as reported during previews, it could potentially earn a reputation as one of the most poorly managed Star Wars games in recent history.

A Larger Pattern

The tale of Outlaws isn’t entirely distinctive these days. In the recent past, Ubisoft has frequently released games with ambitious plans, but they often needed several months of updates to achieve stability. This pattern has made fans somewhat apprehensive about games that seem to require waiting six months after purchase for a stable experience, as early buyers effectively act as uncompensated beta testers.

For fans of Star Wars, the sense of letdown has grown even stronger. After all, this franchise boasts a rich legacy in gaming – think “Knights of the Old Republic”, “Jedi Academy”, and “Battlefront II”. Yet, instead of unveiling groundbreaking new features, we’re frequently met with incomplete installments that demand patches and updates. What was once excitement for innovative gameplay has become an expectation for subsequent fixes.

Final Thoughts

In simpler terms, the new version of Star Wars Outlaws, which was expected to revamp the game’s reputation, might not have learned from previous issues based on early previews. Performance issues, recurring glitches, and the cancellation of its follow-up suggest that Ubisoft is facing challenges in making the game stand out, despite initial high expectations.

If the Switch 2 version fails to provide a smooth, well-refined gaming experience, Ubisoft could inadvertently transform “Star Wars Outlaws” into a lesson learned rather than just a warning about hasty production timelines. Instead, it would also convey a message about the swift erosion of fan loyalty when a cherished brand is mismanaged.

2025-09-01 21:15