When it was first revealed that Ubisoft would be working on an open-world game set in the Star Wars universe, many fans were excited to see what the developer could do with the franchise after EA's decade of exclusivity. Few could have expected, however, that the game would be revealed only a couple of years after that announcement, or that it would be available just next year. As it would turn out, Star Wars Outlaws has emerged as the next big title for the galaxy far, far away. Promising everything from seamless galactic exploration to dynamic combat, many Star Wars fans seem to be getting the open-world experience they've long dreamed of.
Star Wars Outlaws allows players to explore the seedy underbelly of the galaxy, focusing on smuggler Kay Vess and her exploits with Star Wars' crime syndicates. There are five crime syndicates in total operating during the time period Outlaws takes place, with each of them posing unique threats. One, in particular, provides an opportunity that could see the return of a character who featured prominently in a Star Wars spin-off film, and who still has a number of questions surrounding their whereabouts.
Star Wars Outlaws Could Feature Solo's Qi'ra
Star Wars' spin-off film efforts were short-lived, but they did produce some bright spots for the franchise. Out of the two films to bear the Star Wars Story moniker, the one that is not often remembered well is 2018's Solo, but that's not to say this film didn't make worthwhile contributions to Star Wars canon. One aspect of the film that stuck with many fans was the character Qi'ra, the childhood friend and love interest of Han Solo. The film sees Qi'ra get involved with the Crimson Dawn crime syndicate, eventually becoming second in command to its leader, Darth Maul.
After Solo was released, questions about Qi'ra and Crimson Dawn were left unanswered for years, until Star Wars' comics picked up the story between Episode 5 and 6. These comics fleshed out Qi'ra's character and filled in several gaps in her story, and Star Wars Outlaws could continue that work by incorporating Qi'ra into its own story. Although not too much is known about the game's narrative, Star Wars Outlaw's reveal indicated a few things about the state of the galaxy. It's these clues that could allow room for Qi'ra to make an appearance in Star Wars Outlaws and cross paths with the ambitious Kay Vess.
How Qi'ra Could Factor Into Star Wars Outlaws
Star Wars Outlaws' reveal gave players a glimpse of Han Solo encased in carbonite just as he was at the end of The Empire Strikes Back, escorted by a member of the Hutt Clan who is presumed to be Jabba. If this moment is any indication, then Star Wars Outlaws likely takes place after the events of the War of the Bounty Hunters comic, which saw Qi'ra steal Solo's body and send the galaxy's criminal factions into disarray.
If Star Wars Outlaws is taking place in the aftermath of this storyline, it could see Kay come across Qi'ra on a job either working for or against Crimson Dawn. In doing so, Kay could find herself at odds with Qi'ra and either become a reluctant pupil of the longtime scoundrel, or a sworn enemy.
Star Wars Outlaws plans to give fans a gaming experience unlike anything the franchise has ever seen. Between Outlaw's ship combat and open world, Ubisoft is primed to deliver something truly unique. When it comes to Outlaw's story, fans already have a loose idea of what's going on, but there's so much more that could be hiding under the surface. Qi'ra isn't the only Star Wars character who could regain the spotlight, and adding Emilia Clarke to Outlaws' talent would also surely be a boon, but only time will tell if she is slated to make an appearance at all.
Star Wars Outlaws is expected to release in 2024.