The open-world adventure Star Wars: Outlaws made its debut on the Nintendo Switch 2, and contrary to some initial concerns about performance, it’s proving to be a remarkable technical achievement. Many are calling it the most visually impressive port to date on Nintendo’s hybrid system. Further boosting the experience, a fresh update has rolled out, enhancing the already stunning visuals of this action-packed title on the Switch 2. And that’s not all – a playable demo is also on the horizon!
Developed by Ubisoft and Massive Entertainment, Star Wars: Outlaws captivated players with its exceptional graphics upon its initial release last year. While some found the stealth mechanics and combat a little clunky, the sheer joy of exploring a meticulously crafted corner of the Star Wars universe was undeniable. Subsequent patches further refined the game, introducing visual upgrades and gameplay improvements. Therefore, expectations were mixed when considering the possibilities of Outlaws running on the Switch 2. It turns out that Ubisoft Red Lynx, the studio responsible for the port, has delivered exceptional results. Despite being locked at 30 frames per second and lacking some of the high-resolution assets found in versions for more powerful consoles, this edition of Outlaws offers impressive playability, looks sharp, and feels fantastic in handheld mode. Digital Foundry highlights this as a truly exceptional port, explaining it’s technical brilliance. Now, Ubisoft has pushed the envelope even further with the game’s first patch for the Switch 2, making the graphics even better.
Released on September 8th, Ubisoft’s update for Star Wars: Outlaws on Switch 2 is packed with a range of visual enhancements. Players can anticipate a reduction in object “pop-in,” less flickering in smoke effects, improved shadow rendering, more detailed foliage, and a collection of other subtle yet noticeable visual tweaks. Considering that the game already seemed to be pushing the Switch 2’s hardware to the limit, Ubisoft’s dedication to squeezing out even more visual fidelity is impressive.
For those eager to experience the game firsthand on their Switch 2 before committing to a purchase, there’s good news: Ubisoft has updated the game’s FAQ page, confirming that a demo version of Outlaws is on its way. Ubisoft promises to “share more information soon” regarding the upcoming demo. Below is a breakdown of the patch notes for the latest Outlaws update on Switch 2.
General Gameplay Enhancements
- Addressed multiple instances of non-player characters (NPCs) failing to appear, notably during the ‘Crashed’ quest on Toshara when pursuing Kay.
- Decreased the likelihood of Kay becoming trapped within the game environment.
- Refined the stealth and detection mechanics when Kay is concealed in tall grass on Akiva.
- Implemented stability enhancements and other minor corrections.
Visual Improvements
- Enhanced visual quality during rapid movement across the game world or when using binoculars, minimizing instances of object “pop-in.”
- Reduced flickering issues affecting smoke and lighting effects.
- Improved shadow rendering at the edges of the screen during movement within urban areas and space stations.
- Elevated the quality of foliage, fabrics, and other translucent elements.
- Deployed various other minor visual improvements and refinements.
Camera Adjustments
- Corrected camera behavior when traversing specific objects in certain ways with Kay.
User Interface (UI) Fixes
- Resolved inconsistencies in controller image types and directional button prompts when switching between Joy-Con and Pro Controller setups.
- Rectified an issue with the gadget inventory HUD failing to resize correctly when using custom handheld scaling presets.
Wild Card Story Pack Improvements
- Fixed a bug preventing NPCs from being highlighted when Nix is used to plant a card.
A Pirate’s Fortune Story Pack Improvements
- Mynocks are now correctly displayed when attached to your ship.