So I’m 11 hours in and still on the first planet having a blast.
It doesn’t really follow the typical Ubisoft open world formula. For one thing the map is devoid of markers and there’s no “tower” to climb that reveal stuff. Markers appear on the map when you get a quest telling you about it, or read a datapad that mentions something, by listening to random NPC talk about something and lastly by buying intel from some merchant. When exploring and getting near something thats not marked you’ll get a question mark on your compass. I like the way it’s done, nice change of pace from usual Ubisoft 100s of icon on the map to go visit.
Another thing I enjoy quite a bit is the reputation system and how it affects the open world. Some areas of the open world map belong to the different factions, and depending on your ranking with them, they can shoot at you on sight or you can travel the area without being attacked. So a few side quest can be much easier if the objective is in a friendly area than if it’s in a enemy area and since your ranking which each can change a lot, you can wait until you’re good with a faction before doing side quest in their territory if you want to skip some combat.
I’ve unlocked 3 trainers so far to learn new skills, each seems to have 6 skills to unlock, not sure if that’s will be for all of them. You have objectives to achieve to unlock each skills, colllect some stuff, kill enemies a certain way, use Nix, or other stuff like that. Not very deep system but fun.
I also went exploring the space area around the first planet, and did some ship to ship battle which again was pretty basic with just missiles and lasers. It arcade type flying, not space simulator which wouldn’t suit Star Wars anyways. I did a quest on an imperial base, and then escape with tie fighters after me…very Star Wars like.
I haven’t advanced the main story much since I usually do most side stuff in a map before doing main story In an area. I have about 15 side quests to do right now before I go back to main story, that is is if I don’t find more.