2 Game Franchises Categorically Prove Star Wars Outlaws Can’t Play the ‘Female Protagonist’ Victim Card

Star Wars Outlaws is officially out and there’s a lot of good and bad words being said. Initial reception from fans is showing that the game is scratching the Star Wars itch for many. But it also has some glaring problems that can’t be denied.

One of the wilder opinions that fans have had though is the criticism of the game’s protagonist being female. The debate over female protagonists in video games isn’t new to us. Kay Vess isn’t a Lara Croft or Ellie, but that’s hardly a dealbreaker compared to the game-breaking bugs.

Star Wars Outlaws Scratches The Star Wars Itch Perfectly

The release of Star Wars Outlaws was one of the more exciting ones this year. Despite the cautious optimism that fans had because of it being made by Ubisoft, the Star Wars fan in us couldn’t help but be excited. And while the game did face some issues during its Early Access period, it’s received praise from most franchise fans.

But as you’d expect from any big release in this era, the game also has some cons. But there are players going beyond criticizing the gameplay or mechanics but the fact that the protagonist is female.

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Outlaws won’t be the first game to receive this kind of criticism but it is out of place because we’ve already seen numerous successful female-led titles. Games like The Last of Us Part II and the Tomb Raider series have female protagonists and are some of the best in the industry.

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Ellie from The Last of Us Part II is a prime example of a character who is both complex and relatable, dealing with themes of loss, revenge, and survival in a post-apocalyptic world.

In the case of Star Wars Outlaws, the backlash against Kay Vess, the game’s protagonist, is misguided. Fans have praised how the game incorporates the Star Wars universe and makes it feel real.

Kay Vess Is Most Certainly Not The Problem

The situation with Ubisoft‘s Star Wars Outlaws becomes even more weird if you consider the success of other recent titles that feature female protagonists. Games like Horizon Zero Dawn and Control have found success and disproved the idea that players can’t embrace female leads.

Despite the success of these games, there’s always a vocal minority that opposes female protagonists. Some people argue that these characters disrupt their immersion or that they feel disconnected from the game because the protagonist does not reflect their gender.

Star Wars outlaws? Why am I conflicted with the female lead?
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But if you take a closer look at how games have been received, it is clear that players are more than capable of enjoying stories led by characters of any gender. The narrative that female protagonists are a risky or unwelcome choice is simply not supported by the evidence.

The success of other games shows that when a game is well made, the protagonist’s gender is irrelevant to its ability to engage players. So if Star Wars Outlaws ends up being a big flop, it sure won’t be because of Kay Vess.

What do you think of Star Wars Outlaws so far? Let us know in the comments!