Redmond Carolipio: Since the outstanding Fallen Order, I've been sort of low-key begging for more titles in this newest gaming generation that take place in the Star Wars universe but do not have me inhabiting the body of a Force-sensitive protagonist in a third-person setting. And as if on cue, here comes a heist adventure with who looks to be a charismatic lead. I'm here for it.

Cody Medellin: Star Wars games have taken on lots of different genres, but it is interesting to see that it has never taken on the open-world adventure before. That changes with Star Wars Outlaws, which looks to take on a Ubisoft-flavored open world with the attitude that leans toward the trailers for the supposedly long-gestating Beyond Good and Evil 2. The ability to play as characters that have no Force powers also makes this a welcome entry in a franchise that seems to lean on using the Force far too often.

Rhi "StormyDawn" Mitera: My favorite corners of the Star Wars universe tend to be those that aren't really touched by the Force — the dingy cantinas and seedy underbellies and frontiers that your average Jedi wouldn't be caught dead in. It's a criminally underexplored part of the galaxy, but it looks like Outlaws plans to fix that in a big way. Every new thing I learn about this game makes me more interested in it.

Tony "OUberLord" Mitera: I've said it before; the best parts of Star Wars are often where you stop focusing on Jedi and Sith, and it's even better if you stop tying it directly to the Skywalker Saga. Star Wars Outlaws makes me think of Star Wars 1313, except hopefully this game will get released. I love the idea of playing an outlaw in an open-world Star Wars universe, and with any luck, the game won't even feature a lightsaber at all.

Adam Pavlacka: Set during the original trilogy, between "Empire" and "Jedi," Star Wars Outlaws promises us an adventure in the criminal underside of the Star Wars universe. It's a time when everything is in flux. Gangsters and scoundrels fight for control, while the Empire is busy fighting the rebels. There are plenty of opportunities for things to go "missing" and for the heist plotline to explore a universe that is both familiar and entirely new. Thankfully, we know that Massive knows how to tell a good story (as evidenced by The Division games), and Frontiers of Pandora shows us how pretty the Snowdrop engine can look on current hardware. If there's one title I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on, it's Star Wars Outlaws. Who do I have to bribe at Ubisoft to get an early build?

Andreas Salmen: While I'm happy that Jedi Fallen Order and Survivor have finally opened the floodgates for solid Star Wars single-player experiences, there's more room to explore that setting in video games. Star Wars Outlaws seems to go in the right direction, providing a Han Solo-esque smuggler experience across the expansive Star Wars universe and its rivaling syndicates. A seedy Star Wars underbelly open-world shooter with a narrative focus and space combat is an exciting prospect (as well as a mouthful of a description!). On the flip side, beyond a trailer and glimpse of the gameplay, we don't know how far along the title is and whether it is as expansive as Ubisoft claims.

Rainier Van Autrijve: While I'm still holding out hope for a Star Wars: Empire at War strategy sequel, we've had quite a few good Star Wars action titles lately, especially EA's recent Star Wars Jedi titles. Even the Star Wars LEGO games are great fun, and I still play Bioware's Star Wars: The Old Republic (MMO) from time to time. When Ubisoft managed to grab a piece of the Star Wars pie with Outlaws, it came as quite a surprise. On top of that, it is the first open-world Star Wars game and does not focus on Jedis or Force powers. You explore the map, unlock locations, sneak onto bases, steal loot, and get into firefights. It makes me think of a mix between Far Cry and Tomb Raider, and I'm totally on board with that!