Double Damage Games’ Rebel Galaxy Outlaw is coming soon to the Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PS4 and Steam. It will release for all of the above platforms on September 22nd and retail at $29.99. The open world space shooter is notable for being exclusive to the Epic Games Store when it launched last year.

As a follow-up of sorts to Rebel Galaxy, Rebel Galaxy Outlaw is about Juno Markev and her quest to hunt down a killer. Juno must make her way through the Dodge Sector, which consists of about 40 different systems, and engage with other NPCs to complete her quest. Alternatively, players can opt to take on mercenary work, become a pirate or something in between while ignoring the story completely.

There’s a ton to do in the game, from playing pool to joining guilds and purchasing a space station. You can also just cruise through space and listen to more than 21 hours of music across seven radio stations. Naturally, you’ll have plenty of options to upgrade your spaceship as well. Stay tuned for more details when the game launches later this month.

It’s been a long wait, but the eagerly anticipated prequel, Rebel Galaxy Outlaw, finally has a release date, and it’s coming sooner than expected. There’s bound to be some degree of drama about it as well, but for those who’ve been waiting, it probably won’t matter too much in the end.

In a press release, developer Double Damage games announced that the game would launch on PC this August, and it will do so exclusively on the Epic Games Store. The game is a prequel to the original Rebel Galaxy, and features a full single player adventure that promises lots of space combat action and seedy characters. As the release date trailer below shows, the game also has its own offbeat humor.

Rebel Galaxy Outlaw releases August 13th for PC (via the Epic Games Store), with a PlayStation 4 and Switch release said to be coming later in the year. You can check out an interview we did with the developers for more information on the game through here.

"We wanted to push character and grit further, and thought an earlier setting would creatively make sense, less high tech and more lawlessness."

What had first made you decide to create a prequel to Rebel Galaxy?

The first Rebel Galaxy was more of just an experiment for how to make a space game. We learned so much, technically, but probably more creatively. We knew we could address the problems of the first game, mostly the repetition and grindy-ness, but also wanted to go further creatively. We wanted to push character and grit further, and thought an earlier setting would creatively make sense, less high tech and more lawlessness.

What are some of the major changes and improvements that this game brings?

The biggest change was the switch to cockpit-oriented dog-fight style flight and combat, versus the naval-style combat of the first game. I’d say we’ve improved on the original in just about every way. Some specifics are a deeper, more character driven story, less repetition of content, better UI and cool mini-games.

There has been quite a change in direction when it comes to the design of the fighters and even in the overall aesthetic. What inspired this change in direction?

Again we wanted to push our theme of a gritty, dirty, but colourful galaxy to stand out from other games in the genre, and just because its cooler to us.

"Who you befriend and who you choose to be enemies with plays a big part in both how the story concludes and how you get there."

Will the radio stations in the game feature fully original music?

Well, they are “original”, but maybe you are asking if they are created for our game specifically? None so far. They are all curated by us to fit the game, but they are licensed.

Are there any plans to bring VR support for this game?

No.

What can you tell us about the story in this game?

This prequel explores the story of Juno Markev, who players from the original game might recognize as the Aunt of the main character. Its sort of a mystery and revenge tale regarding the death of her estranged husband, but I don’t want to spoil more.

Is there a dialogue system at work in the game? Will players be able to make choices in these dialogues that impact the story?

Yes, there is a dialog system, and yes, it impacts the story. Who you befriend and who you choose to be enemies with plays a big part in both how the story concludes and how you get there.

"It’s not “not” coming to the Xbox One, we just haven’t made any deals regarding that yet."

Any particular reasons why the game is not coming to the Xbox One?

It’s not “not” coming to the Xbox One, we just haven’t made any deals regarding that yet.

What is your take on the ongoing drama of loot boxes and microtransactions?

We will not be using those kind of monetization systems in our game, for sure. I’m mildly negative on them I guess, but I understand why some publishers and developers use them.

Remember Double Damage Games’ Rebel Galaxy? Well, even if you don’t, it’s getting a “sort-of-prequel” called Rebel Galaxy Outlaw. Releasing in Q1 2019 for PS4, Nintendo Switch, and PC, this will be a “blue-collar space combat adventure”. Check out the reveal trailer below (courtesy of IGN).

Taking place 34 years before its predecessor, players assume the role of Juno Markev. As a smuggler who’s cleaned up her act, she’s dragged back into the outlaw life after a bad incident. With her ship ruined and some debt accrued, Juno sets forth on an adventure.

Along with placing more emphasis on space combat, Rebel Galaxy Outlaw will have 20 hours of “subspace radio” and activities like dice, poker, and billiards to indulge in. Once again, you’ll be taking on shady jobs and dealing with some rather unlawful characters, all for the sake of earning some credits.

Double Damage co-founder Travis Baldree stated, “This has got to be the most ambitious game I’ve ever worked on. We took what worked from the last title, and then went a little crazy. It’s got a stronger focus on story and place, a huge jump in detail, and while it still works great for folks with a HOTAS at home, I think we’ve managed to make space combat accessible and fun for everybody else in a way that nobody has managed before. We’ve got a lot more to share in the months ahead.”

While the first Rebel Galaxy was pretty decent, will this more high-flying, action-packed approach work better for the sequel? We’ll find out next year when it releases.