It’s no surprise, of course. Game development is no walk in the park, and despite the Switch’s undoubtedly impressive library, there are still a handful of classics that are yet to make the jump to the hybrid console *coughWind Wakercough*. It’s the way that most Nintendo consoles go in their senior years, but these late-life lineups have historically been counterbalanced by a ‘Nintendo Selects’ range, a chance for owners to catch up on some of the console’s bestsellers at a reduced price.
As I hurtled through the dry, ochre-toned wasteland of Toshara on the back of a rusty speeder, I quickly came to the realisation that Star Wars Outlawscould be the game I’ve always dreamed of. While there are timeless stories revolving around the plight of the Jedi and the Empire – the vast, colourful world of Star Wars always alluded to more beneath the hood and left me with one major question: what are the consequences of interstellar conflict for anyone that wasn’t born with magical powers?
During a recent preview event, I had the opportunity to play through two sections of the game for a full three hours – exploring a portion of its open world, and discovering a darker, more destitute setting where inhabitants must survive however they can. And it looks awesome.
Kay Vess, our protagonist, is a perfect example of a survivor in a war-torn galaxy. Star Wars Outlaws is set between the events of “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” and “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi”, and so Vader’s rule has rippled into even the most far-flung corners of the Galaxy Far, Far Away. On Toshara, a moon dominated by criminals, Kay is tasked with infiltrating the base of Gorak, a local kingpin. Stealth is key here, and as Kay, I deftly slip past meandering guards with an array of quiet takedowns at my disposal for anyone that spots me. Kay can also unlock additional abilities that’ll help – the Fast Talker ability offers a quick way to quickly yap your way out of a full-blown enemy showdown, for example.
What’s even better, is that Kay’s trusty companion Nix is also a handy tool, and can be commanded to create enemy distractions, attack if needed, or even collect a piece of loot that’s just out of reach. This is a mandatory stealth mission, but in the context of the plot it makes total sense – Kay isn’t here to go blasters blazing (this time), it’s a delicate mission that requires discretion. When things go awry, Kay ends up discovering information that is of use to Gorak, and is given a choice to tell him about it or keep it to herself.
This is where the power of choice and allegiances comes in. While playing, I was introduced to four different crime syndicates: Crimson Dawn, The Hutt Cartel, Ashiga Clan, and The Pyke Syndicate – each with their own designs on how to rule the underworld. Kay can foster good and bad reputations with each of the clans – having a good reputation will grant her privileged access to their districts and benefits. Having a negative reputation will make a syndicate less receptive, and even hostile in some cases.
Assisting one syndicate can affect how a different one feels about you too, so it pays to be cautious in who you align with. Gorak is aligned with the latter, and I chose to be generous with my information about a plot to overthrow him. I loved this element of decision-making; as a player, I’m not just on the rails of a pre-scripted story, but getting input in how the story plays out and how the world reacts to Kay, which feels great.
Once that exchange concluded, I stepped out onto the gritty, neon-soaked streets of Mirogana to explore freely. Here, you’ll find vendors offering new equipment, items, cosmetics for Kay that’ll offer new enhancements, and other goodies. The essence of a world ruled by crime is in full force here, characters around me spoke in hushed tones about objectionable schemes, while Empire guards slyly took bribes from enterprising scoundrels. All of this makes the settings of Star Wars Outlaws feel truly alive, and showcased the seedy underside of galaxy in all its questionable glory.
I was prompted to make several more reputation choices in the next few missions, the first coming at the end of a job for The Hutt Cartel. As Kay, I politely declined the request to double cross the Hutts and hand over my goods to Crimson Dawn, which resulted in a… less polite shootout with the clan’s double-crossing agent. Later, during a mission to upgrade Kay’s blaster, I was given the option to steal a necessary part from the Pyke Syndicate or Crimson Dawn, and, having already chosen to annoy the latter, opted to “liberate” the goods from their district. This variation in how to approach jobs and who to favour again plays magnificently into crafting your own version of the underworld, where allegiances can change in seconds and no one can be trusted.
From there, I set out to explore the arid deserts of Toshara in my first taste of Star Wars Outlaws‘ open world environments. I zoomed past several points of interest, including desert-beaten structures housing collectables, loot, or random events. Exploring those structures led me to a cache of Empire loot ripe for the taking, while another saw me stand off against a band of pirates raiding a homestead. Just like walking around Mirogana, veering offroad to take care of these tasks makes Toshara feel like a living, dynamic place – and of course, snagging a bit of loot is never a bad thing. Even in this select area, the environments felt stuffed with little things to do and secrets to discover.
Another section of my preview took me to the stars, quite literally, and put me at the helm of Kay’s ship. Engaging in a swift battle against some TIE Fighters felt pretty approachable off the bat, the controls were smooth, similar to those of Starfield, and the ship’s tracking module made short work of pesky enemy ships. After that, I landed on the frigid, icy shores of Kijimi, to look for a safecracker. Kijimi is ruled by The Ashiga Clan, but, just like on Toshara, The Crimson Dawn is looking to dethrone them.
I couldn’t resist a quick roam around Kijimi’s surroundings (and a few bets placed on the virtual Fathier Racing holo table situated in the bar) simply because these environments are absolutely stunning. Total care has gone in to make Toshara and Kimiji feel vibrant and authentic, and I can’t wait to see what other notable Star Wars locations look like.
But enough of looking at the buildings, there are several objectives at hand. Kay needs to win favour with the Ashiga Clan and their Queen, culminating in a mission to steal a mysterious relic. Having already made my way through a stealth mission back on Toshara, I opted for the most chaotic entrance possible, blasting guards and foes into oblivion in fierce firefights, while commanding Nix to attack anyone that proved to be more laserproof than expected. The blaster combat feels extremely satisfying – hits pack a punch, much like grenades, and the option to take out shields with ease or simply stun foes gave a breadth of options in how to clean up what became a pretty outrageous gunfight in the middle of a tranquil setting, which was extremely fun.
The choice that Star Wars Outlaws gives you to craft your own reputation as Kay’s unfolds feels excellent – and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to explore and immerse myself in both new and familiar locations from the Star Wars universe. However, quite uniquely, I’m seeing them from Kay’s nebulous perspective as a well-meaning outcast just doing her best to survive in an underworld brimming with duplicitous characters, and I can’t wait to play more. Thankfully, there’s not much longer to wait either – Star Wars Outlaws launches on Xbox Series X|S on August 30.
Experience the first-ever open world Star Wars action-adventure game and explore distinct locations across the galaxy, both iconic and new. Risk it all as scoundrel Kay Vess, seeking freedom and the means to start a new life. Fight, steal, and outwit your way through the galaxy’s crime syndicates as you join the galaxy’s most wanted.
If you’re willing to take the risk, the galaxy is full of opportunity.
DISCOVER A GALAXY OF OPPORTUNITY
Explore distinct locations with bustling cities and cantinas. Race across sprawling outdoor landscapes on your speeder. Each location brings new adventures, unique challenges, and enticing rewards if you’re willing to take the risk.
EXPERIENCE AN ORIGINAL SCOUNDREL STORY
Live the high-stakes lifestyle of an outlaw. Turn any situation to your advantage with Nix by your side: fight with your blaster, overcome enemies with stealth and gadgets, or find the right moments to distract enemies and gain the upper hand.
EMBARK ON HIGH-STAKES MISSIONS
Take on high-risk, high-reward missions from the galaxy’s crime syndicates. Steal valuable goods, infiltrate secret locations, and outwit enemies as one of the galaxy’s most wanted. Every choice you make influences your ever-changing reputation.
JUMP INTO THE PILOT SEAT
Pilot your ship, the Trailblazer, as you engage in thrilling dogfights with the Empire and other foes. Find the right opportunities to chase, evade, and attack to get the upper hand.
Ubisoft Massive is almost ready to let PS5 players become a notorious space scoundrel in the first open-world Star Wars game, coming to PS5 on August 30. Crash landing onto the lush yet dangerous moon of Toshara, I spent time as rookie rogue Kay Vess, meeting her little buddy Nix, discovering visual options inspired by the original trilogy, and taking jobs for crime syndicates.
Nix the lovable critter companion
Kay’s furry and all-too-cute partner Nix (“not a pet,” stresses his voice actor, Dee Bradley Baker) has already gained a dedicated and adoring following. Yes, the doe-eyed Merqaal is genuinely helpful, from distracting guards with cuteness (or causing explosions), and picking up weapons, to showing players interactive elements in the environment… but it’s Nix’s little touches that’ll win over fans across the galaxy.
Gain boosters for your speeder and Nix is forced to hang on for dear life, his little tail and hind legs flailing in the air. If you aim Kay’s blaster at him, he’ll impishly mimic being shot and roll over to play dead, causing Kay to chuckle and encourage his performance.
Star Wars at its most vibrant
Outlaws executes open-world Star Wars with flair, delivering a rich and responsive environment that’s lively and joyful to explore. Floating fishing nets ripple in the wind. Broken starship detritus is scattered across lakes, mountains, and moisture farms. And yes, you can pet the… well, animals far more exotic than dogs, and even feed some of the fauna native to Toshara.
Ubisoft Massive has also created discoverable vista points where you can stop and watch beautiful-yet-deadly world go by. The scenic views are striking enough to encourage players to seek them all out.
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Capturing the original trilogy vibe
The Star Wars Outlaws team knows it’s a big deal to set its game between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, and has gone the extra parsecs to make it feel authentic to its source material.
To that end, you can select a special 21.9 cinematic mode that creates a widescreen effect and replicates the lenses Lucasfilm used when shooting Episodes 4 to 6. The result is a gritty, nostalgic visual grain with a modern-day high-definition punch.
Variety is the spice of scoundrel life
Whether it’s overhearing the juiciest scoundrel scuttlebutt or hitting up gangland bosses for work, there are plenty of objectives to tackle across Outlaws.
One mission, New Tricks, involves hunting down an ion module for your blaster to disrupt some pesky electrical systems. The quest begins with a hunt for the right merchant, then spirals into an adventure through the bustling city of Mirogana and into the craggy wilds.
Meanwhile, a Hutt task demands you steal a client list, but at any time you can deviate from your current mission to sneak into an outpost, “slice” through encrypted info databases, race speeder bikes, infiltrate mysterious shelters, or help townsfolk repel gunslinging bandits (…or not. You’re an outlaw, after all).
Whether you’re eager to put your blaster to good use or prefer to venture across the Outer Rim, there are plenty of wretched hives of scum and villainy to explore when Star Wars Outlaws lands on PS5 August 30.
It seems impossible that Star Wars Outlaws is the first-ever open-world Star Wars game, but indeed it’s true. With that first comes plenty of expectation, but also lots of excitement – particularly when the studio handling the effort is Massive Entertainment, the talented developers of The Division. Speaking personally, I confess that I don’t often get hyped up for too many open-world games these days outside of those made by Rockstar – as those can be counted on to raise the bar every single time – but I have been plenty hyped for Outlaws. After all, it’s set after Empire Strikes Back, you play as a Han Solo-caliber scoundrel instead of yet another Jedi, and you’ve got an awesome alien creature pet named Nix by your side at all times, who promises to have an impact on gameplay and not just follow our hero Kay Vess around being adorable. In other words, it’s got a lot going for it on paper.
And while it doesn’t seem like Outlaws will do any Rockstar-like bar-raising, after playing a near-final build of it for four hours across two different sections of gameplay, I can say it’s still one of my most anticipated games yet to come out in a busy second half of 2024, and it feels very Star Wars in all the right ways.
Ubisoft has developed a reputation for making “checklist” open-world games; big spaces where you’re given a to-do list of sidequests and activities to complete outside of the golden path. Generally this is not a compliment. But one of the things that impressed me about Star Wars Outlaws is that I didn’t get the sense that I was just checking boxes to inch closer to 100% game completion. Don’t get me wrong – there is plenty to do in Outlaws, but those sidequests and activities feel a lot more organic than they do in the publisher’s other games. For example, while wandering around the town of Mirogana on the planet Toshara, I walked by an arcade mini-game of sorts. I wandered up and played a round. I also stumbled upon a betting stand where I could wager on holographic-horse races. I managed to bet on the right one by sheer good luck, which gave me a chuckle later when I discovered a datapad lying around elsewhere that gave me a strong hint on who to lay my money on. I also encountered a down-on-their-luck gambling addict who begged me for money. I obliged, enabling his vice and leaving with a promise that he’d share in his winnings should he find himself back on Lady Luck’s good side. Naturally, there’s also a cantina, and I even saw a Sabacc table, but I lacked sufficient funds at the time to buy in and play.
Massive has, based on what I’ve seen so far, done an excellent job of setting an authentic Star Wars stage.
All of these optional activities feel very natural on the planets and towns of Outlaws, and that’s true in part because of the excellent art direction that makes every location ooze Star Wars authenticity. From the lighting to the architecture to the NPCs milling about, Massive has, based on what I’ve seen so far, done an excellent job of setting an authentic Star Wars stage.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t add how the story of Star Wars Outlaws only supports and reinforces all of this. Kay is just out to make her way in an unforgiving galaxy, lying or double-crossing as she needs to in order to look out for number one. This plays out in occasional dialogue choices that pop up during cutscenes, adding a bit more player agency to what would otherwise be a mini-Star Wars in-game movie. Will those choices affect how the plot ultimately plays out? I wouldn’t bet on it, but there is a laudable faction reputation system that tracks how much (or little) each of the in-game syndicates likes you. Double-cross the Hutts and you’ll harm your reputation with them, but increase your standing with the Crimson Dawn. Piss off a faction enough and they won’t let you into their territory (meaning you’ll have to sneak in and stay undetected if you want access).
But, you’re probably wondering, what of the moment-to-moment gameplay? In this, Star Wars Outlaws made me happy. This is a stealth game if you want it to be. And if you mess up in that attempt, I honestly like that you don’t have a lightsaber to save you. You’ll have to use Kay’s blaster – which, yes, is upgradeable – to get out of trouble, and that adds to the sense of danger because you’re not a laser sword-wielding demigod. As such, the blaster battles felt like they had meaningful stakes, and the stealth gameplay had a bit of weight to it because I knew that I’d be up against it if I messed up.
Naturally, there’s lockpicking too in the form of data spikes, and I quite like how Outlaws handles it. Each lock has a particular audio signature, and it’s up to you to match that pattern by pressing the right trigger in time with the beeps. The longer you take, the more likely you are to be spotted. Similarly, the hacking minigame is also really fun. Here, you’ll need to line up the right symbols in the right order, which usually takes multiple attempts. Fail too often and you’ll fail the hack entirely. It took me a few tries to wrap my head around, but once I did I really enjoyed the opportunities I got to do some hacking.
The core stealth gameplay is aided by the breakout star of Outlaws, Nix. Yes, Nix is the BD-1 of this game, but compared to Cal Kestis’s droid companion, Kay’s organic pal can do a lot more for you. He can distract an enemy – by getting the bad guy’s attention and adorably playing dead – or flat-out attack them. He can hit buttons or switches too, and retrieve items. This is useful when you’re pinned down in a firefight and a more potent A300 Blaster Rifle is across the room. Nix can fetch it and drop it at your feet without you leaving cover. I even like how Outlaws handles these larger weapons: they can’t be reloaded, meaning that once you fire all the rounds, you just drop the empty gun and go back to your trusty blasters. This is likely a design decision to ensure that Kay never feels overpowered, thus making sure the player is always on their toes in combat.
Finally, you couldn’t have an open-world Star Wars game without ways to get around that expanse, and in Outlaws, Kay has a speeder bike that, as you’d guess, can also be upgraded. You can win credits doing races, or just stop off along the way to your destination at some interesting-looking pit stop. The bike controls well – it almost feels like driving a boat in Waverace 64 in that it’s pretty fast and maneuverable but hardly handles like it’s on rails.
Complementing this is Kay’s ship, the Trailblazer (and yes, it’s upgradeable). I got to do a bit of outer-space ship-to-ship combat, and I had a good time! I’ll need plenty more time in the pilot’s seat to really solidify my opinion here, but flying the Trailblazer made a good first impression.
If there’s one thing that concerned me during my hands-on time, it’s bugs. Outlaws went gold well before the preview event, meaning that if I wasn’t playing the certification build, it was something mighty close. And while yes, there will inevitably be a day-one patch as most games have nowadays, it was still disappointing to see as many annoying little – admittedly mostly visual and harmless – glitches as I did. Hopefully that day-one update will knock out the bulk of them.
Ultimately, though, I had a fantastic time with Star Wars Outlaws. Open-world games tend to be jacks-of-all-trades, masters-of-none, and while I’m not sure Outlaws will master any of its gameplay components, it nonetheless not only does them all very well, but it does so with a convincing Star Wars sheen. And since there’s somehow never been an open-world Star Wars game before, it feels new, fresh, and most welcome. I’m glad this is arguably the first big-name game out this Fall on August 30, because I can’t wait to play more of it.
Ryan McCaffrey is IGN’s executive editor of previews and host of both IGN’s weekly Xbox show, Podcast Unlocked, as well as our long-form interview show, IGN Unfiltered. He’s a North Jersey guy, so it’s “Taylor ham,” not “pork roll.” Debate it with him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan.
If you miss Myst, but feel only vertigo and disgust for its recent 3D reinventions, you might find yourself salivating over first-person point-and-clicker Neyyah – a Mystalike or more precisely, Rivenalike from Defy Reality Entertainment and MicroProse, which has just been dated for early access release on 27th August. Real-time movement and exploration? Rotatable polygons? Pfff. These are firmly pre-rendered worlds, just like Grandpappy Atrus used to bake.
Although Star Wars has become a fixture of movie culture over the generations, it’s also left a signature stamp on the world of video games. From LEGO spin-offs and NES movie adaptations to pod-racing simulators, it’s hard to talk to someone about games they loved as a kid without the words Star Wars cropping up in there somewhere.
And as the series has grown into a powerhouse in the gaming world, so too have video games become a key part of the Star Wars universe as a whole. In recent years, we’ve seen more and more video games become official parts of the franchise’s canon timeline, whether that’s Cal Kestis’ adventures through a post-Order-66 world in the Star Wars Jedi series or Iden Versio’s transformation from Empire trooper to Resistance hero in 2017’s Star Wars Battlefront 2.
So, for those looking to catch up with the video-game-exclusive chapters of the Star Wars history books, let’s take a look at all of the canon Star Wars games in chronological order.
Considering Star Wars has been making its way to video game consoles for over four decades at this point, there are a lot of Star Wars games spread across the history of the series. To be specific, there are well over 100 Star Wars games in total, including everything from first-person shooters and tactical strategy games to dance titles and even educational point-and-click adventures.
That’s a lot of games, although only a very small selection are part of the series’ official storyline. Since Disney wiped the extended universe from the canon, there are now eight games canonto the timeline of the series. Only one of these games won’t feature on our chronological list, and that’s Star Wars: Uprising. Although the mobile RPG was an official continuation of the Star Wars story, it was closed down back in 2016 due to low player counts and is no longer available.
We also haven’t included any of the Star Wars web browser games or titles that act as retellings of the events of the main story, such as the Star Wars Journeys series.
All Canon Star Wars Games in Chronological Order
1. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
The first notch on the official canon timeline, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is set half a decade after the events of Star Wars: Revenge of The Sith, and follows a survivor of the Order 66 Jedi purge.
After years of hiding from the Empire and their ruthless Jedi-hunting soldiers, the Inquisitors, Fallen Order’s story sees former padawan Cal Kestis rekindle with the force after his powers are discovered, sending him on a galaxy-wide adventure in the hopes of rebuilding the Jedi order. Along the way, he’s pursued by the merciless Second Sister; a powerful Sith Inquisitor determined to hunt Cal down and put a stop to his plans.
Fallen Order takes heavy inspiration from the soulslike genre, with players exploring iconic and all-new planets while taking part in frantic, fast-paced lightsaber duels and building their arsenal of force powers. It was the beginning of a franchise for developer Respawn Entertainment, who went on to make a sequel four years later. Speaking of…
2. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
The official sequel to Fallen Order, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is set five years after the events of the previous game. Now an older and more wizened Jedi Knight, we pick up Cal’s story as he searches for a place to hide from the Empire and raise a new crop of Force sensitive warriors. However, after discovering a powerful Jedi who served during the High Republic era, Cal quickly becomes embroiled in a new battle which tests his abilities and connection to the Jedi teachings.
Much like its predecessor, Survivor focuses heavily on soulslike combat spread across several explorable planets, taking players to new locations alongside a few fan favorites. All the while they’ll get to test their mettle with brand new fighting stances, allowing them to duel-wield a saber and a blaster, or channel Kylo Ren, and carve through their foes with a powerful crossguard lightsaber.
3. Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series
Set after Revenge of the Sith and before Rogue One, Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series takes place over three episodes and follows a nameless smuggler who becomes entangled in a mysterious plot tied to Darth Vader’s past.
After their ship is pulled out of hyperspace by the Empire, the smuggler is forced to explore Vader’s castle on Mustafar, where they learn about a mystical artifact with the power to conquer death. Vader Immortal aimed to grant players the childhood dream of wielding a lightsaber with their own hands, planting them in the world of Star Wars via a VR headset and fully immersing them in the Jedi experience.
4. Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (2017)
Although Star Wars: Battlefront 2’s multiplayer takes place across the various eras of Star Wars history, the story mode begins just after the events of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. It follows Iden Versio: the commander of an Imperial squadron known as Inferno Squad. Spanning thirty years, it follows Versio and her allies’ journey, from the destruction of the Second Death Star all the way to the climax of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Along the way, she meets various iconic characters and explores some of Star Wars’ most famous battlegrounds, including Bespin, Endor and Naboo. In-game, players can expect plenty of third and first-person firefights, battling across lovingly recreated maps while wielding blasters, flying ships and even picking up a lightsaber as one of the game’s many hero characters.
5. Star Wars: Squadrons
The next notch on the timeline belongs to Star Wars: Squadrons; EA’s space-fighting spin-off. Strapping players into an array of iconic starships, they’ll engage in huge battles across the vast reaches of the galaxy, getting into intense dog fights from behind the controls of X-Wings, Tie Fighters and more.
Although the beginning of the story takes place during the events of A New Hope, the bulk of Squadrons’ campaign is set after the Return of the Jedi, with players switching between the roles of a Resistance and Empire pilot.
Shifting back and forth between both perspectives, it tells the story of a secret Rebel project codenamed Starhawk, which poses a major threat to the Empire. Intending to prevent its completion, the Empire rushes to stop the plans, leading to plenty of all-out, space-based skirmishes.
6. Star Wars: Hunters
Hitting shelves in 2024, Star Wars: Hunters is a free-to-play multiplayer arena shooter set after the events of Return of the Jedi. It sees players pick one of several heroes and team up with friends, taking on rival teams in fast-paced combat.
Like most hero-based shooters, players can dive into a large roster of characters each with their own unique weapons and abilities, with the list featuring everything from droid Jedis and Wookie berserkers to Mon Calamari technicians and even a Jawa tag team.
7. Star Wars: Droid Repair Bay
Set during the events of The Last Jedi, Star Wars: Droid Repair Bay is an entirely free VR experience that tasks players with repairing BB-8 and a series of other droids. They’ll have to remove and replace faulty parts, tweak circuits and ensure the droids are ready for field deployment. Droid Repair Bay was a tie-in with the release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, with players cast as a mechanic on the Raddus space station shortly before its battle with the Supremacy dreadnought during the events of the film.
8. Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge
The final slot on the timeline comes via Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge. Set between the events of The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, Galaxy’s Edge is a VR experience where players step into the shoes of a nameless droid mechanic and explore the planet of Batuu: the same setting as Disneyland Park’s Star-Wars-themed attraction.
After crash-landing on Batuu to evade smugglers that boarded your ship, Galaxy’s Edge has you shooting your way through First Order soldiers and Guavian criminals while solving puzzles and delving deeper into the planet’s various mysteries. It eventually got an expansion called The Last Call, which allowed players to train as a Jedi and suit up as the legendary assassin droid, IG-88.
All Canon Star Wars Games in Release Order
Star Wars Uprising (2015)
Star Wars Battlefront 2 (2017)
Star Wars: Droid Repair Bay (2017)
Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series (2019)
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (2019)
Star Wars: Squadrons (2020)
Star Wars: Tales From The Galaxy’s Edge (2020)
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (2023)
Star Wars: Hunters (2024)
What’s Next for Star Wars Video Games?
Although the current list of canon video games in the Star Wars universe is relatively small, over the next few years, it appears to be growing significantly. On August 30, Ubisoft is set to add another major entry to the franchise in Star Wars: Outlaws. An open-world RPG casting players as underworld thief Kay Vess, it promises expansive worlds to explore and a new canon story, featuring some returning Star Wars characters like Jabba the Hutt and Qi’ra.
The theme for Freedom’s Flame is, predictably, burn damage and survivability, with new weapons, armor, emotes, capes, and skins all set to hit the game next week, Mitch Ayre, Junior Community Manager at developer Arrowhead Games Studios, said in a post on the PlayStation Blog.
As with previous Premium Warbonds, expect Freedom’s Flame to cost 1,000 Super Credits. While you can earn Super Credits from gameplay and the warbond itself, you can also buy them for real-world money. Via the in-game shop, 1,000 Super Credits costs $9.99. Premium warbonds do not expire, so you can work your way through them at your own pace safe in the knowledge their items will remain available.
Here’s everything included in Helldivers 2’s Premium Warbond, Freedom’s Flame
Firepower
Primary:
SG-451 Cookout
Burn, baby, burn! A pump action shotgun that unleashes a burst of incendiary phosphorus pellets at your helpless enemies.
FLAM-66 Torcher
A lightweight flamethrower shooting pressurized fuel through a nozzle into a roaring, open flame. Sounds safe. It isn’t. Watch where you’re standing.
Secondary:
P-72 Crisper
A flamethrower that fits in your pocket for the Helldiver on the go! What will those guys think of next? This lovely compact handgun projects a jet of freedom flames over short distances.
Booster:
Fiery Drop – Firebomb Hellpods
Scorch the earth (and anything else) below as you touch down with attitude and ignite the dropsite.
Armor:
I-09 Heatseeker
Proudly display the burnished blood-red plates that were forged in righteous fire, like the heroes they were wrought to protect — a true vision of democracy.
I-102 Draconaught
Ah, there’s nothing quite like those satisfying screeches as the enemies of freedom burn. Enjoy it all in this 14-cm sheathed silica fiber foam armor with an exclusive tube-to-ear feature.
Armor Passive
Inflammable! Enjoy 75% damage resistance to fire as you run head-first into danger like the unstoppable legend your mum said you’d be.
Title: Fire Safety Officer
You can now call yourself a Fire Safety Officer. Doesn’t come with a certificate.
Skin: Safety Orange
Repaint your Shuttle, Hellpod, and Exosuit in striking Safety Orange.
Capes & Cards
Purifying Eclipse
A heartfelt tribute to the Liberation of Choepessa IV in the First Galactic War, in which so much orbital ordnance was detonated that its sun was occluded by ash for an entire lunar cycle.
The Breach
The final mission of the 361st Freedom’s Flame saw this storied unit deploy into the heart of a Supervolcano in a mission of heroic sacrifice. Triggering a huge eruption, this act of incredible bravery wiped out a massive Terminid swarm. As documented in the bestselling graphic novel ‘The Breach,’ it is available at all good bookshops on Super Earth.
Emotes
Big Stretch, Deep Reflection, and Thoracic Collision Exultation Maneuver Co-emote. If you’re going to win. Win in style.
Freedom’s Flame is set to arrive two days after the Escalation of Freedom update, Helldivers 2’s biggest so far. This update, due out August 6, adds new missions, objectives, enemies, planets, and even a new difficulty mode.
Helldivers 2’s explosive launch across PC and PlayStation 5 in February saw it become the fastest-selling PlayStation game of all time, with an incredible 12 million copies sold in 12 weeks. IGN’s Helldivers 2 review returned a 9/10. We said: “Helldivers 2’s combat feels fantastic, its missions stay fresh and interesting, and its smart progression system doesn’t nickel and dime you.”
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
After being teased earlier this year, Good Smile Company has finally given us a proper look at the upcoming Tears of the Kingdom Ganondorf figma and it’s a beauty.
Set to release in Q4 2025, the highly-detailed figure retails for $84.99 / €104 (or your regional equivalent) and pre-orders are now live from both the North American and European Good Smile websites.
Well, Helldivers, we’re about to spark a galactic-scale inferno. Your new Premium Warbond is deploying to all active patriots on 8 August – codename Freedom’s Flame.*
Incinerate everything standing in your path with new weaponry almost too hot to handle; survive the heat of battle with lifesaving armor; and burn brightly across the cosmos with fresh emotes, capes, and skins.
Right now, swarms of disgusting bugs and packs of mechanized monstrosities are invading innocent worlds.
Stop them… destroy them… cremate them.
Let’s cook, Helldivers. Light it up in the name of liberty!
Firepower
Primary:
SG-451 Cookout Burn, baby, burn! A pump action shotgun that unleashes a burst of incendiary phosphorus pellets at your helpless enemies.
FLAM-66 Torcher A lightweight flamethrower shooting pressurized fuel through a nozzle into a roaring, open flame. Sounds safe. It isn’t. Watch where you’re standing.
Secondary:
P-72 Crisper A flamethrower that fits in your pocket for the Helldiver on the go! What will those guys think of next? This lovely compact handgun projects a jet of freedom flames over short distances.
Booster:
Fiery Drop – Firebomb Hellpods Scorch the earth (and anything else) below as you touch down with attitude and ignite the dropsite.
Armor:
I-09 Heatseeker Proudly display the burnished blood-red plates that were forged in righteous fire, like the heroes they were wrought to protect — a true vision of democracy.
I-102 Draconaught Ah, there’s nothing quite like those satisfying screeches as the enemies of freedom burn. Enjoy it all in this 14-cm sheathed silica fiber foam armor with an exclusive tube-to-ear feature.
Armor Passive Inflammable! Enjoy 75% damage resistance to fire as you run head-first into danger like the unstoppable legend your mum said you’d be.
Title: Fire Safety Officer You can now call yourself a Fire Safety Officer. Doesn’t come with a certificate.
Skin: Safety Orange Repaint your Shuttle, Hellpod, and Exosuit in striking Safety Orange.
Capes & Cards
Purifying Eclipse A heartfelt tribute to the Liberation of Choepessa IV in the First Galactic War, in which so much orbital ordnance was detonated that its sun was occluded by ash for an entire lunar cycle.
The Breach The final mission of the 361st Freedom’s Flame saw this storied unit deploy into the heart of a Supervolcano in a mission of heroic sacrifice. Triggering a huge eruption, this act of incredible bravery wiped out a massive Terminid swarm. As documented in the bestselling graphic novel ‘The Breach,’ it is available at all good book shops on Super Earth.
Emotes
Big Stretch, Deep Reflection, and Thoracic Collision Exultation Manoeuvre Co-emote. If you’re going to win. Win in style.
Freedom’s Flame is rolling out to your Destroyer’s Acquisitions panel on 8August.
So ramp up the temperature to fry up some tasty justice, served with a side order of delicious grilled democracy. Tonight, we dine – and dive – in hell.
See you planetside.
*Requires base game, paid purchase of Super Credits, and game progression to unlock. PSN account required.
Based on the Loyal Three and their Moochi-feeding mythical master, Pecharunt, the Shrouded Fable set features some key players of the Pokémon Scarlet & Violet DLC: Hidden Treasures of Area Zero, amongst new additions. It’s a packed set, with Kingdra ex also making a royal splash in the expansion.
As night falls, Pecharunt ex emerges, commanding the Loyal Three—Okidogi ex, Munkidori ex, and Fezandipiti ex—in their evil mission. Meanwhile, Revavroom ex lights up the battlefield as a Lightning type through Terastallization.
Here’s a firsthand look at our highlights from the Elite Trainer Box, Kingambit Illustration Collection, Kingdra ex-Special Illustration Collection, and some standout cards from Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet—Shrouded Fable.
Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Box Preview
The Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet—Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Box is an absolute must-have if you’re a dedicated trainer. Everything is neatly organized in a collector’s box with four dividers, making storing and transporting your collection easy. Plus, a Pokémon Trading Card Game Live code card for the set is included for digital pack openings. Still, nothing beats ripping open the included boosters!
Inside, you can find nine Shrouded Fable boosters, all bursting with diverse cards to enhance your deck. This is alongside a foil promo card featuring Pecharunt, a powerful addition to your Dark-type deck and a collector’s gem. There’s also 65 card sleeves centered around Okidogi, Munkidori, and Fezandipiti, all rocking a cool purple and green metallic design, perfect for a new deck build.
Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Box – What’s In The Box?
Nine Shrouded Fable booster packs
Full-art foil promo card featuring Pecharunt
65 card sleeves featuring the Loyal Three
45 Pokémon TCG Energy cards
A player’s guide to the expansion
Six damage-counter dice and a competition-legal coin-flip die.
Two plastic condition markers
Kingambit Illustration Collection Preview
The Kingambit Illustration Collection looks stunning! The titled stage two card is hands down the best card art out of the big boxes in Shrouded Fable in our opinion. Kingambit commands respect and overcomes all challengers. This collection is perfect for those looking to strike, slash, and take command in their battles.
The promo card Kingambit we’ve found inside showcases the big blade Pokémon in a menacing classical painting style, alongside foil cards featuring Pawniard and Bisharp completing Kingambit evolution chain for a cool Steel type playset straight out of the box! There’s also four Shrouded Fable boosters, each a chance to find powerful and rare cards, and codes for Pokémon TCG Live.
Kingambit Illustration Collection – What’s In The Box?
The Kingdra ex-Special Illustration Collection is another fantastic addition that we love. This collection adds artistic flair to your deck while strengthening strategy with bench-damaging cards, making it a must-have for collectors.
Inside you’ll find stunning classic Japanese print artwork and powerful gameplay features from the Kingdra ex promo card, another full playset line out of the box with foil cards featuring Horsea and Seadra, codes for Pokémon TCG Live, alongside a set of five Shrouded Fable boosters. It’s nice to see those included as well.
Kingdra ex-Special Illustration Collection – What’s In The Box?
1 full-art foil promo card featuring Kingdra ex
2 foil cards featuring Horsea and Seadra
5 Shrouded Fable booster packs
A code card for Pokémon TCG Live
Our Favorites Pulls From Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet—Shrouded Fable
Kingambit – Illustration Rare
Stats:
Type: Dark
HP: 180
Attacks:
[D] Dark Slice (50 damage)
[D][C][C] Night Slash (90 damage): Switch this Pokémon with one of your Benched Pokémon.
Rarity: Kingambit Illustration Rare is a literal Pocket Monster. With amazing-looking artwork and two devastating attacks, this card will be very sought after by both players and collectors!
How to Play: Once a player’s Pokémon has put at least 4 damage counters on an opponent’s Bench and active Pokémon, it’s time to bring Kingambit in. Even if there are one or two Pokémon left over under 140HP, Massive Rend will one-shot them.
Fezandipiti – Illustration Rare
Stats:
Type: Psychic
HP: 120
Attacks:
Ability: Adrena Pheromone – If this Pokémon has any [D] attached and is damaged by an attack, flip a coin. If heads, prevent that damage.
[P] Energy Feather (30 X damage): This attack does 30 damage for each Energy attached to this Pokémon.
Rarity: As an Illustration Rare, Fezandipiti is rare, and it is very playable in dark decks. Expect this one to attract buyers with cash on the hip!
How to Play: Fezandipiti offers a superb blend of offense and defense, making it invaluable in any dark deck. Start stacking Energy on this Pokémon as soon as it hits the Bench, bringing it in to clear out any hush HP active Pokémon with Switch or sacrificing energy for retreating. Make sure to have some Energy Retrievals on hand, just in case!
Pecharunt – Illustration Rare
Stats:
Type: Dark
HP: 80
Attacks:
Ability: Toxic Subjugation: As long as this Pokémon is in the Active Spot, put 5 more damage counters on your opponent’s Poisoned Pokémon during Pokémon Checkup.
[D][C] Poison Chain (10 damage) Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Poisoned. During your opponent’s next turn, that Pokémon can’t retreat.
Rarity: Although it can be found easily in Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Boxes, Pecharunt’s ability is very powerful and can be used from the Bench. When in play, this Pokémon can cause 7 damage counters per Pokémon checkup, so there is no doubt this card will be seen in players’ decks quickly.
How to Play: Pecharunt is a fantastic Poisoner and can slow an opponent’s game from the Bench. Ideally, you should use another Pokémon to poison opponents and then use Pecharunt’s ability to enhance the poison. Using it alongside Garbador’s “Poisonous Puddle” ability from Rebel Clash would be a fantastic combination from a player’s Bench, allowing an active Pokémon to clean up!
Pecharunt EX
Stats:
Type: Psychic
HP: 190
Attacks:
Ability: Controlling Chains: Once during your turn, you may switch 1 of your Benched [D] Pokémon, except any Pecharunt ex, with your Active Pokémon. If you do, your new Active Pokémon is now Poisoned. You can’t use more than 1
Controlling Chains Ability each turn.
[D][D] Irritating Burst: 60x damage. This attack does 60 damage for each Prize card your opponent has taken.
Rarity: Pecharunt EX is a rare and powerful card, although not as much as its full-art variant. It’s also extremely playable, so it’s likely to be in high demand!
How to Play: Using Pecharunt EX alongside any Loyal Three EX is a winning combination and allows for switching of Dark types once a turn with no retreat cost. In our opinion, this can really slow down opponents, saving Pecharunt EX when you are low on Prize Cards to devastate an opponent’s active Pokémon.
Where to Preorder Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet—Shrouded Fable
Shrouded Fable is busting out all of the usual box sets and booster bundles, this time centered around the Loyal Three of Kitakami, Okidogi, Munkidori and Fezandipiti.
They’ll all be getting EX cards alongside the malicious Pecharunt, looking to shove its cursed Moochi treats into the face of any human or Pokémon it can. Here are all the details you need to secure the your preorders for Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet—Shrouded Fable, releasing on August 8.
We’re always watching the latest Pokémon deals here on IGN, not to mention giving our readers early previews of upcoming sets such as Twilight Masquerade. Stick with IGN for everything Pokémon TCG for the latest.
Christian Wait is a UK-based freelancer for IGN, you can follow him @ChrisReggieWait on Twitter/X.
action-adventure game and explore distinct locations across the galaxy, both iconic and new. Risk it all as scoundrel Kay Vess, seeking freedom and the means to start a new life. Fight, steal, and outwit your way through the galaxy’s crime syndicates as you join the galaxy’s most wanted.
