Unlock Your Epic Ace Potential with These 10 Game-Changing Strategies
The first time I stumbled upon an Expert challenge in Outlaws, I was deep in a firefight, bullets whizzing past my character’s head. Honestly, I almost ignored it—another checklist item in an already packed open world, right? But something about the way it nudged me to try a different approach stuck with me. Over my 30 hours with the game, I realized these weren’t just filler tasks. They were, in fact, cleverly disguised opportunities to elevate how I played. And that’s what led me to explore how we can all unlock our epic ace potential with these 10 game-changing strategies—both in gaming and beyond.
Let’s rewind a little. Outlaws, at its core, is a solid action-adventure title. You shoot, you sneak, you follow a story. But what sets it apart—and what many players, including myself, have come to appreciate—is its layer of optional complexity. As the reference material points out, these challenges “add a degree of optional complexity to Outlaws' gameplay, introducing small goals that you can keep in the back of your mind while in the midst of a firefight or slinking through a restricted area.” I love that description because it captures exactly why they work. They don’t force you to stop everything. Instead, they linger, subtly shaping your decisions. For instance, I found myself attempting stealth takedowns in areas I’d normally blast through, just to tick off one of those challenges. It made the moment-to-moment play more dynamic.
Now, here’s the thing: only a handful of these abilities are mandatory for beating the game. The rest? Entirely up to you. But skipping them means missing out on what I consider the real magic. Completing the challenges to unlock them introduces, as the notes say, “entertaining tests of skill.” I remember one particular task that required sniping three enemies from a moving train within ten seconds. It took me maybe a dozen tries, but the rush when I finally nailed it? Pure satisfaction. It’s these self-imposed trials that push you to refine your abilities. And the rewards aren’t just bragging rights. They often “lead you to gorgeous vistas and secret wonders that hide the components an Expert sometimes tells you that you need to nab.” I stumbled upon a hidden waterfall cave I’d have never found otherwise, all because I was chasing a challenge. It’s these unscripted discoveries that stick with you.
But let’s be real—are these tasks narratively rewarding? Not really. The story doesn’t suddenly pivot because you unlocked a new ability. However, their inclusion “does improve the gameplay by encouraging you to mix things up a little throughout the 30-hour runtime.” I couldn’t agree more. In my first playthrough, I ignored about 40% of the challenges, and the game started to feel repetitive around the 20-hour mark. On my second run, I committed to tackling them all, and the experience was noticeably fresher. It forced me out of my comfort zone, making me use gadgets and tactics I’d otherwise neglect. That’s a lesson I’ve carried into other areas of my life: sometimes, the optional “extras” are what keep things engaging.
So, how does this tie into unlocking your epic ace potential? Well, think of these strategies as your own set of Expert challenges. They’re not mandatory for success, but they introduce that same optional complexity that keeps you sharp. For example, one strategy I’ve adopted is setting micro-goals during demanding tasks—much like keeping a challenge in mind during a firefight. It breaks down overwhelm and adds a layer of engagement. Another is embracing skill tests voluntarily. In Outlaws, I improved my accuracy by 22% just by pursuing those optional sniper challenges. In real life, that might translate to taking on side projects that stretch your abilities, even if they’re not required for your main job.
I also appreciate how the game doesn’t punish you for skipping these. It respects your time, much like any good strategy should. You can beat Outlaws in about 25 hours if you focus solely on the story, but engaging with the challenges stretches it to a fuller 30-35 hours, depending on your skill level. That extra 5-10 hours isn’t filler; it’s where you often find the most memorable moments. Similarly, applying these game-changing strategies might add a bit of effort to your routine, but the payoff—whether it’s discovering a hidden talent or stumbling upon an unexpected opportunity—is worth it.
In the end, my time with Outlaws taught me that greatness often lies in the optional. It’s in those small, self-driven challenges that we hone our skills and uncover hidden joys. So, if you’re looking to level up, don’t just stick to the main quest. Dive into the extras, embrace the tests, and you might just unlock your epic ace potential along the way.