Alright, fellow scoundrels, strap in! I recently spent more time than I care to admit (and more credits than I should have) hopping between the planets of Star Wars Outlaws. Let me tell you, the galaxy is a messy, beautiful, and sometimes surprisingly small place. While the game technically throws five planets our way, one of them, Cantonica, is more of a fancy, high-stakes pit stop. It's where our story with Kay Vess kicks off and where we later return for a seriously tense heist. It's got that glamorous, seedy Canto Bight vibe from The Last Jedi, perfect for setting the tone, but you won't be putting down roots there. So, for the grand tour, we're really talking about four main worlds. Grab a drink, maybe avoid the ones with glowing worms, and let's dive into my personal ranking from 'chilly but charming' to 'absolutely stunning getaway'.
4. Kijimi: The Frosty Hive of Intrigue
Let's start with the icebox of the group, Kijimi. Once you get your ship patched up on Toshara, this is one of your first stops. It's your classic Hoth-like ice planet, but instead of endless tundra, it's mostly one big, sprawling city. Don't get me wrong, getting lost in its maze of shops and shadowy alleys is a vibe, and there's no shortage of shady NPCs with side gigs for a willing outlaw. The main faction here is the Ashiga Clan, led by Queen Ashiga. They're this fascinating insectoid race with a hive-mind thing going on, but everyone still has enough personality to bicker—typical family drama, just with more exoskeletons. Your job is to navigate their internal power struggle between the Queen and her daughter, Krisk, all to track down an explosives expert.
The political story is actually pretty engaging, and the frosty visuals are crisp. But here's the thing... after a while, you realize that's kinda it. There's one major off-site location (an old factory for a story mission), and then it's back to the city. Compared to the other planets, Kijimi feels a bit... single-biome. It's cool (literally), but lacks the variety that makes exploration truly addictive. It's the planet you respect but don't necessarily dream about revisiting.
3. Tatooine: A Nostalgic Sand Trap
Ah, Tatooine. The planet that started it all. It's impossible not to feel a wave of nostalgia zooming over those twin suns and endless dunes. This is where legends like Luke and Anakin took their first steps, and Outlaws lets you carve your own path through the dust. It's probably the most wide-open space in the game—just you, your speeder, and massive rock formations. Visiting Mos Eisley is a must, even if it feels a bit barren; you can almost hear the echoes of that famous cantina tune.
The undisputed highlight? Jabba the Hutt's Palace. It's not just a backdrop; it's the centerpiece for one of the game's biggest, most tense missions. And the best part? After you're done, you can go back! Hang out with Jabba, his majordomo Bib Fortuna, and the rest of the Hutt Cartel crew. You've also got Jawas scavenging, Tusken Raiders patrolling the dunes... it's classic Star Wars.
But (and it's a big but), all that iconic sand makes for a surprisingly monotonous playground. Once the nostalgia wears off, you're left with... a lot of beige. It's fantastic for key story moments and fan service, but as a place to just roam and get lost in? The big, dusty dunes can feel a bit empty compared to what's next on our list.
2. Toshara: The Perfect Playground
This, my friends, is where Star Wars Outlaws truly opens up. Toshara is your crash-landing site after the Cantonica intro, and what a welcome it is! This planet is a masterclass in open-world design. It's not just one thing. One minute you're cruising through grassy plains, the next you're weaving through dense forests, and then you're staring up at massive, rust-colored cliffs. It's got streams, wildlife, and a real sense of life.
Toshara is also the game's faction hub. The Pyke Syndicate runs the show, especially in the main city of Mirogana, but they're not alone. Imperial outposts dot the landscape, and every choice you make—helping one group over another—ripples through the world, locking or unlocking rewards. It's the game's systems working at their best.
The real magic, though, is in the secrets. Some of the coolest sights are tucked away behind quests. I'll never forget stumbling upon a massive, decades-old starship wreck in the middle of the woods, completely swallowed by vines and foliage. It felt like something straight out of a Horizon game, a hidden piece of history waiting to be found. Toshara isn't just a setting; it's a playground full of stories, making exploration an absolute joy.
1. Akiva: The Jaw-Dropping Jungle Paradise 🏆
And now, for the crown jewel. Toshara was a very, very close second, but Akiva takes the top spot for one simple reason: it is breathtakingly beautiful. While Toshara has diversity, Akiva has pristine, lush majesty. Sure, there are ruins, but they just add to the charm. This feels like a hidden retreat for the galaxy's elite (if you ignore the criminal elements running things, that is).
For a video game player, it's the ultimate vacation planet. You're not just exploring a jungle; you're navigating a dense, vertical landscape of cliffs, and then... you hit the coast. An entire archipelago of small, tropical islands awaits. And here's the kicker: you get a sweet upgrade for your speeder that lets you glide over lakes and deep rivers. It's not full-on pirate sailing, but zipping over crystal-clear water is an incredible feeling.
The interiors match the exterior beauty. One standout is an abandoned droid factory that's been repurposed into a secret Rebel Alliance base—it's so cool. There are other wonderful surprises and cameos I won't spoil, but trust me, it's worth the journey. Akiva is often the last planet you'll fully explore, and the game absolutely saves the best for last. The only minor gripe? Some of the jungle and rocky areas are so thick they can be tricky to navigate. But by the time you reach Akiva, you should be a speeder-handling pro. This planet isn't just a location; it's a reward.
So, there you have it! My personal ranking from a life spent dodging blaster fire and chasing paydays. From the frosty politics of Kijimi to the paradise of Akiva, Star Wars Outlaws gives us a galaxy that's worth getting lost in. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I left a few unfinished bounties on Toshara...