5 Reasons I Loved Rebel Galaxy Outlaw at PAX West 2018
If you are like me, getting your hands on the latest flight sim/ dogfighting game is an absolute must. What new features will it have? What makes it stand out above the rest? Does it have superior handling? Multiple control schemes? An overarching narrative worth being consumed by? Taking control of a well-programmed ship in space can be the most exhilarating feeling in gaming if it’s done well, and this year at PAX West I was thrilled to have the opportunity to go hands-on with Double Damage’s upcoming Americana-fueled Rebel Galaxy Outlaw. While the name might seem familiar, this is anything but a standard sequel to 2015’s Rebel Galaxy and it quickly hooked me as a serious game to watch for. Here are five reasons I can’t wait for Rebel Galaxy Outlaw.
Silky-Smooth Controls
I’m starting the list with the most boring but key entry: the controls. Flying your ship in RGO is incredibly intuitive, and thankfully, isn’t bogged down by overly complex commands. The team at Double Damage wanted you to have fun blasting through space and not get stuck behind layers of menus, complex hailing commands, or unnecessarily elaborate docking procedures. It plays like an arcade game and I mean that in the best possible way. Ship systems can be damaged and will need repair, but nothing that makes you feel fragile. The game also features a lock on mechanic similar to classic Z-targeting with the added bonus that locking onto an enemy ship will also automatically match speed with them so you don’t go flying by or fall behind. For those who aren’t into the controller or keyboard scheme, Rebel Galaxy Outlaw is also built to use HOTAS controllers for the authentic flight feel.
What is an Outlaw without the Law?
Being an outlaw in space means there has to be a law to rebel against. Each star system in Rebel Galaxy Outlaw has its own independent police force, as well as a wanted level similar to Grand Theft Auto. The wanted level works on a scale of negative three stars to positive one star. Attacking convoys? Robbing the good folks of the system? Those stars will start to add up and affect how aggressively the police follow you, however, assisting police can earn you a temporary +1 star which helps them look the other way in case you happen to be smuggling contraband. I didn’t get to see the system in action at PAX but it sounds like it has fantastic potential for mayhem.
The Great Black Outback
One of the most important focuses of the game is its roots in Americana. Double Damage wants this to feel like the Old West in space (Sound familiar?) Each of the star systems is named after and built around something that screams American: from the Vegas system being all about gambling and living the high life, the Texas system being a rough-around-the-edges system, and so on. Everything from how establishments look to the music you hear on the radio sets the tone of Americana in space. Whether on a mission for revenge, defending the downtrodden, or relaxing with a game of cards, the parallels between Rebel Galaxy Outlaw and the Old West are gloriously abundant. Ships aren’t flashy, – not to say they aren’t pretty –  they are purpose-built to do a job and their aesthetic only adds to the idea of getting the job done.
Charming You Out of Your Coin
If you have an affinity for the Old West, you are going to be enthralled in this game. That same rebellious charm you would expect from a title like this is here in spades; you can play cards or pool – with proper physics and all – in the bars, the radio stations have a killer soundtrack interspersed with commercials, your pilot will even make entertaining gestures in the cockpit such as flipping off an enemy or pointing finger guns at an exploding fighter. The nuances are well crafted to give you that sense of dirty, grungy outback that this game needs and you can see the heart and soul the Double Damage team put into each little aspect. From custom stencils to make the ship your own, to choosing your dashboard ornaments, gambling on ship parts, and so much more.
As Sure as I Know Anything, I Know This: I Aim to Misbehave
Rebel Galaxy Outlaw has an overarching narrative for you to follow, but there is so much to see and do in the black you are encouraged to go at your own pace. What kind of game would it be if it had Rebel and Outlaw in the names but they made you play straight laced and clean? RGO will start you off as a normal citizen looking to cut your way through life but it won’t take long before opportunities present themselves. Want to run some cargo? The nearby station could use a hand. Some pirates causing trouble for the locals? The bartender might have heard about a bounty to track. Or maybe you want to be the one terrorizing space with a gang? It’s all possible, and each choice will affect how the game reacts to you. If you become a notorious pirate you can politely advise a convoy it is in their best interest to drop their loot and run. If you join a merchants guild you’ll find new avenues to wealth open to you that might not be on the up and up.
These may sound like familiar mechanics you have seen elsewhere, but Double Damage’s execution looked so smooth and the game is dripping in whiskey-soaked potential. This doesn’t even begin to tell you about custom radio stations, 3D printing your ship – including the custom paint job – and so much more. Rebel Galaxy Outlaw was a huge surprise for me and is absolutely a title to watch for.
What do you think of the game? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, or the Comments section below. Rebel Galaxy Outlaw is aiming to release in Q1 2019, and is currently coming to PC, PlayStation 4, and the Nintendo Switch. For more information, check out the game’s official website.
