Star Wars Outlaws: Why the Switch 2 Version Falls Flat – Our Honest Review

I had the chance to play Star Wars Outlaws on the Switch 2 at PAX West before its release. Honestly, I was shocked by how it looked. I tend to notice graphics issues easily, and even the most forgiving fans might struggle to overlook the game’s muddy visuals. It felt like I was playing a game on bad Wi-Fi—a fuzzy experience that’s hard to adjust to.

You would think a big title from Ubisoft would launch looking sharp, but this version leaves much to be desired. This was during a private demo early in the day, so performance issues seemed unlikely; yet, the graphics were still disappointing.

When it comes to gameplay versus graphics, I prioritize gameplay, but Outlaws struggles in that area too. Right from the start, I had difficulty distinguishing characters and objects. I thought I was looking at the main character and her companion gearing up for battle, but everything just blended together in dull shades of brown and gray. If someone told me this was the lowest graphical setting on PC, I’d believe it.

What I experienced reminded me of those early days of game streaming. Many gamers remember how frustrating it was to play under poor network conditions. While streaming had its charm back then, it’s not acceptable for a major game release today, especially on a newer console like the Switch 2.

Despite the visuals, the game ran smoothly, with no frame rate drops or glitches during my demo. Ubisoft seems to have optimized it for performance, but I still don’t think this version meets expectations.

Interestingly, an industry report by Newzoo mentioned that graphical quality is increasingly becoming a key factor for gamers. Recent statistics show that 67% of players prioritize graphics in their gaming experience. If a game looks bad, it can turn players away, regardless of gameplay quality.

In the age of high-res graphics and seamless experiences, the bar has been set much higher. When faced with numerous stormtroopers in-game, and you can’t even count them because of the graphics, something is definitely off.

The Switch 2 promised a better gaming experience, so it’s a disappointment to see a game like Outlaws struggling on that front. User reactions on social media have been overwhelmingly critical, with many fans expressing frustration over the low-quality visuals. It’s clear that if Ubisoft wants to retain its audience, it will need to ensure future releases do not fall short of modern gaming standards.

As we look towards the future, these lessons about quality and expectations will be crucial. Navigating the balance between visuals and performance is a challenge the gaming industry must take seriously to keep players engaged and satisfied.

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