Why Star Wars Outlaws' Kay Vess Proves We Need More Non-Force Heroes

Okay, let's talk about something that's been on my mind since playing Star Wars Outlaws. We all love a good Jedi power fantasy, right? Feeling the Force flow through you, pushing Stormtroopers off cliffs with your mind, deflecting blaster bolts with a lightsaber... it's pure video game magic. But after spending hours with Kay Vess, Ubisoft's charming, utterly ordinary scoundrel, I realized something: the Star Wars galaxy feels massive when you're not the chosen one.

For the longest time, Star Wars games have been absolutely dominated by Force users. Think about it:

• Jedi/Sith Power Trip: Games like Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Survivor let you live the ultimate power fantasy as Cal Kestis.

• The Allure of Power: Developers know wielding telekinesis and super jumps is an easy sell. It's the superhero appeal—like being Spider-Man in New York, but in a galaxy far, far away.

• Complex Character Drama: Focusing on Force users often means exploring the pull of the Dark Side, which makes for great internal conflict.

And don't get me wrong, I love all that! But sometimes... it can start to feel a bit same-y, you know? Like the entire fate of the galaxy has to rest on the shoulders of someone who can move things with their mind.

Then along comes Kay Vess. Just a person trying to make her way in the universe, one sketchy deal at a time. No mystical energy field binding her to anything. Her struggles? Paying off debts, navigating shady underworld politics, and relying on her wits, her blaster, and her trusty companion Nix. It's... refreshingly normal.

Here's the thing Kay's character proves: You don't need a lightsaber to tell a compelling Star Wars story.

Star Wars Outlaws might not have been a perfect game (we can all admit that), but wow, was it bold. It dared to go in the opposite direction and showed us a whole new side of the universe we love. It made the galaxy feel lived-in and vast in a way a Jedi story sometimes can't.

Let's be real, some of the most iconic characters in Star Wars history aren't Force-sensitive:

• Han Solo (The original charming scoundrel)

• Cassian Andor 🕵️‍♂️ (The gritty, determined spy)

• Jyn Erso 💪 (The rebellious fighter)

• Hondo Ohnaka ‍☠️ (The... profit-motivated pirate)

Their stories are compelling because they have to rely on human (or Weequay) traits: courage, cunning, resilience, and sheer dumb luck. Playing as Kay Vess gave me that same feeling. Every encounter felt riskier, every escape felt earned. I wasn't a superhero; I was an underdog, and that's a powerful fantasy in itself.

So, here's my hope for the future of Star Wars games in 2025 and beyond: let's keep this door open. Kay Vess wasn't a one-off experiment; she was a proof of concept. Future games should absolutely keep pulling from that deep well of ordinary folks in the galaxy.

Imagine a game where you're:

• A Coruscant detective solving crimes in the lower levels.

• A Rebellion logistics officer just trying to keep supply lines open.

• A podracer mechanic caught up in Hutt cartel drama.

The possibilities are endless, and they all promise a more relatable, grounded experience. It allows for unconventional storytelling and fresh gameplay mechanics that don't revolve around force meters and lightsaber combos.

Star Wars Outlaws lit a spark. It showed that the heart of Star Wars isn't just the Force—it's the struggle, the hope, and the adventure of everyone in that incredible universe. And honestly? I'm here for more of that. More stories about the people just trying to get by, making the galaxy feel bigger, richer, and more real than ever before. The Force will always be with us... but sometimes, it's nice to just rely on a good blaster and a quicker wit. 😉