2024 is closing out with a huge helping of highly anticipated games for the rest of the summer and all the way through to November thus far with more sure to announce release dates around that holiday window. There are more games uncomfortably crammed into the end of 2024 without confirmed release dates than it would be preferred, and it’s only a matter of time before they have to either begrudgingly commit to a late 2024 date or admit they’re pushing backward into ajam-packed 2025.
Conversely, games like Ubisoft’sAssassin’s Creed ShadowsandStar Wars Outlawshave finally cemented their 2024 dates and can now be marketed and anticipated properly.Star Wars Outlawsis particularly exciting for Original Trilogy and Galactic Civil War enthusiasts but especially for fans of the smuggler Han Solo, who will at least be making a cameo appearance while frozen in a slab of carbonite. It’s an incredibly rare coincidence, then, that Harrison Ford’s likeness for two of his most iconic characters will be in their own video games before the end of 2024: Han Solo inStar Wars Outlawsand Indiana Jones inIndiana Jones and the Great Circle, as long as the latteractually hits its intended release window.
Star Wars Outlaws’ Harrison Ford Likeness Honors an Incapacitated Han Solo
To be fair, Ford’s likeness will hardly be hisactual likeness for Han Solo inStar Wars Outlawssince it’s presumably a static pose the whole time and his wincing expression isn’t terribly easy to discern as the actor. It’d be a wild retcon for Han to be taken out during the events ofOutlawsonly for him to be put back in carbonite before the events ofReturn of the Jedi, though, so it’s fair to assume players will only ever be seeing him while he’s a decoration in Jabba’s palace.
Regardless, that’s a huge Easter egg and likeness for Massive to feature inOutlawssince it’s a firm demonstration of how intimidating the Hutt Clan should be as seen from the perspective of Kay Vess, a scoundrel character who most likely knows Han by name and can understand the weight of his capture. Knowing someone as storied as Han Solo couldn’t best Jabba the Hutt is a valuable toolOutlawscan wield despite how underwhelming the crime lord’s portrayals can seem throughoutStar Warscanonotherwise.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s Harrison Ford Likeness Honors the Titular Archaeology Professor
Enough marketing has been shared that MachineGames should reasonably be able to hitIndiana Jones and the Great Circle’s window of late 2024, but until there’s a concrete date scheduled there will always be a hint of ambiguity there and a chance thatThe Great Circleis nudged into 2025.
Xbox’s lineup for the end of 2024 is stacked with titles and, depending on which ones Microsoft wants to keep in the oven longer,Indiana Jonescould be thrust forth to end 2024 with a whip-crack so thatAvowedhas more time to simmer. It’s possible that all of these games will meet their desired release windows, but time is running out to make that a reality unless developers don’t mind launching their games a few months after their release dates have been determined.
IfIndiana Joneslands in 2024, its release will now inevitably be somewhere in the same ballpark asOutlaws, even ifthe Great Circlefollows it by several months. Either way, it’s deeply doubtful that two games withHarrison Ford likenesseswill ever launch this close to one another again unless Bethesda makes a franchise out ofIndiana Jonesgames while another futureStar Warsgame happens to feature Han Solo in some capacity. There would need to be a lot at work in the cosmos for those stars to align, though, and hopefully 2024 will be a year where these likenesses and character portrayals can be celebrated for their rarity and proximity.
Star Wars Outlaws
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience the first-ever open world Star Wars game and explore distinct planets across the galaxy, both iconic and new. Risk it all as Kay Vess, an emerging scoundrel seeking freedom and the means to start a new life. Fight, steal, & outwit your way through the galaxy’s crime syndicates as you join the galaxy’s most wanted. If you’re willing to take the risk, the galaxy is full of opportunity.DISCOVER A GALAXY OF OPPORTUNITYExplore distinct planets with bustling cities and cantinas before racing across sprawling outdoor landscapes on your speeder. Each planet brings new adventures, unique challenges, and enticing rewards if you’re willing to take the risk.EXPERIENCE AN ORIGINAL SCOUNDREL STORYLive the high-stakes lifestyle of an outlaw. With Nix by your side, turn any situation to your advantage: fight with your blaster, overcome enemies with stealth and gadgets, or find the right moments to distract enemies and gain the upper hand.EMBARK ON HIGH-STAKES MISSIONSTake on high-risk, high-reward missions from the galaxy’s crime syndicates. Steal valuable goods, infiltrate secret locations, and outwit enemies as one of the galaxy’s most wanted. Every choice you make influences your ever-changing reputation.JUMP INTO THE PILOT SEATPilot your ship, The Trailblazer, as you engage in thrilling dogfights with The Empire and other foes, finding the right opportunities to chase, evade, and attack to get the upper hand.
