Summary
Star Warsgames have long allowed Force-sensitive protagonists to dominate the stage, due in large part to the popularity of such characters and the high-power fantasy that accompanies them. However, Ubisoft and Massive Entertainment’sStar Wars Outlawschose a different path, pushing its very normal,non-Force-sensitive protagonistKay Vess into the spotlight, thereby proving that it’s possible to make a compellingStar Warsgame without being led by a character who has access to otherworldly abilities.
Star Wars Outlawsmight not have garnered the reception that it could have, but it at least needs to be seen as a fire-starter — a spark to ignite a continued interest in protagonists who aren’t supernaturally powerful and who instead need to rely on their very human characteristics to get by. WhateverStar Warsgames are to come afterStar Wars Outlaws, they should consider pulling from the well of non-Force-sensitive protagonists in theStar Warsgalaxy.
Kay Vess' Non-Force-User Status Should Inspire Future Protagonists
Most Star Wars Games Have Been Led by Force-Sensitive Protagonists
In theStar Warsgaming universe, there’s nothing quite like taking on the role of a Force-sensitive protagonist, whether it’s a Jedi, Sith, or a mixture of the two.Games likeStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Orderallow players to live out their fantasies as someone who can manipulate reality using the mysterious and supernatural powers of the Force, whether it be by using telekinetic abilities to push large objects out of the way with ease or effortlessly leaping to great heights using a Force jump. To be fair, there is arguably nothing quite like having such immense power in a video game, especially when it comes to a franchise as massive asStar Wars.
Developers likely choose Force-sensitive protagonists in their games due to the allure of wielding such incredible abilities, as they offer a power fantasy that might not be available to players through other games. It’s not too far from the appeal of a typical superhero game likeMarvel’s Spider-Man, as powerful abilities effortlessly offer exciting gameplay, so long as those abilities are designed well for a video game. Additionally, focusing on Force users often allows for more complex characters who might struggle with the Dark Side, likeCal Kestis in theStar Wars Jediseries.
Ultimately, these elements effectively put players in the largerStar Warsuniverse and help to fulfill the sci-fi superhero fantasy that accompanies the franchise.
There Are Plenty of Non-Force-Using Protagonists Future Star Wars Games Could Pull From
As more and moreStar Warsgames lean toward using Force-sensitive protagonists,Star Wars Outlaws' Kay Vessstands as a testament of what a game can accomplish when it does something different for a change. Kay’s position asStar Wars Outlaws' protagonist shows that not all leading characters need to be able to use the Force, and can instead be a normal individual with struggles that are common to almost anyone.Star Wars Outlawsdidn’t need to be a perfect game to prove this; it only needed to be bold enough to go the opposite direction from most games, and to show that it can work.
Characters like Han Solo,Cassian Andor, Jyn Erso, and Hondo Ohnaka have shown in other media that compelling stories can come from individuals who rely on their wit, skill, and resourcefulness rather than the Force. Focusing on characters like this allowsStar Warsgames to explore elements of its universe that a Force-sensitive protagonist might not be inclined toward, like the galaxy’s underworld, politics, and the everyday struggles of the galaxy’s inhabitants. In the end, this allows for a much more relatable experience for players, as well as unconventional storytelling techniques.
As more and moreStar Warsgames lean toward using Force-sensitive protagonists,Star Wars Outlaws' Kay Vess stands as a testament of what a game can accomplish when it does something different for a change.
In short, the gaming side ofStar Warsshouldn’t shy away from featuring more protagonists like Kay Vess. Regardless of her backstory or characteristics, her unique position as a non-Force-using protagonist simultaneously opens the door for different storytelling and gameplay mechanics than mostStar Warsgameshave been known for. FutureStar Warsgames would be remiss not to continue considering normal individuals for the leading characters, as it can continue opening the new world thatStar Wars Outlawshas created a portal too.
