🔗 Share this article

Upon my initial encounter with the original Outer Worlds title, I was instantly captivated by its satirical, Fallout-esque style of comedy. The game included dynamic dialogues, personal journals, and propaganda materials that portrayed a company-run society that was both bleak and humorous. My biggest worry heading into the follow-up was that this version – without blame of its own – wouldn't be as comedic compared to the first.

Admittedly, conditions weren't ideal. However, life definitely felt somewhat less damaged back then. This game presented a dystopia that didn't hit too close to home, and yet accomplished to be simultaneously heartwarming and uproarious. I began the sequel pretty sure that this release wouldn't manage to pull this off a second time, but I'm happy to announce that I was incorrect. This follow-up is as smile-generating as the title that preceded it, and furthermore presents fresh concepts rather than merely repeating similar elements similar to a tired company slogan.

Changing NPCs

A large portion of the NPCs players encountered in the first title had been defeated by the activities of company organizations such as Spacer's Choice, and were fully cognizant of the degree that their existence was miserable. This sequel progresses matters in a different direction, featuring characters who are indoctrinated (periodically symbolically, often literally). Numerous personalities don't even realize of how deeply screwed up their conditions are, or that there may exist choices to an existence spent beneath the control of a massive corporation or limited by the beliefs of a high-demand religion.

The sequel investigates methods of corporate control that are more insidious than simply keeping the masses poor. Numerous characters have been indoctrinated into the sort of extremely eager "work ethic" discourse you might encounter on online profiles that claim to disclose the secret of achievement when you buy a costly program, or participate in a sketchy crypto scheme. Furthermore, the release's company advertising has progressed.

Modern Themes

There are still plenty of unmotivational posters on the walls indicating reductions in staff compensation who even consider having a break, but furthermore exist references to pyramid scheme strategies, including a staff guide that boldly states, "Unfamiliar individuals are simply patrons you still need to meet!" Being a person who developed within a network marketing environment, I instantly erupted in amusement when encountering this reference, because it's a phrase I have frequently encountered spoken verbatim by individuals in lower positions of these systems.

Thankfully, this sequel is as comedic and irreverent as the original title.

The Outer Worlds 2 additionally investigates the dilemma numerous people experience concerning occupation, government, and including buying decisions: Being forced to pick the lesser of two or three evils. While attempting to decide whether to support a dangerous corporate entity or a dangerous religious group in the game, I found myself aligning with the devil I know: A recognized business organization that sucks (yet merely employs advertising to brainwash its subjects), rather than the cult, which is equally bad, but utilizes a terrible method termed "mental refreshment" to keep its adherents compliant.

Doubtful Authorities

Additionally, the individuals you work for might not be trustworthy. As an space operative, your mission involves trying to reestablish stability to this outpost subsequent to an aggressive business acquisition, and you will quickly find that both the attackers and the invadees subscribe to distinct (yet equally horrific) beliefs. However, a rapid inspection of the communications on your spacecraft's system show that this agency isn't precisely the galaxy's most moral authority either, as evidenced by an answer to a help request that informs the caller it will take "three to five business years" for a response to their communication. (This duration is approximately the time it takes for me to get a hold of a real customer service agent over the phone these days.)

Relatable Moments

Numerous instances in this sequel are painfully relatable, but it's a therapeutic type of familiarity, and this release manages to balance its bleak societal vision with humor that's truly humorous without feeling incongruous. A primary concept is the rapid beginning of deterioration that seems to take place after any major corporate acquisition. Workers from each party of The Outer Worlds 2's significant consolidation experience their living standards worsen consequently, while the leaders in charge of the food chain are, expectedly, collecting profits rapidly.

Hey, at least I understand where I stand.

Just like the original title, The Outer Worlds 2 is inherently funny, but additionally doesn't hesitate to get serious. During a moment, while exploring around the release's primary explorable world, I stumbled across a body with an audio log close by. This recording disclosed that this NPC (associated with the brainwashing religious faction) had been killed in an event during efforts to locate and dispatch her romantic partner. This partner had seemingly abandoned from their organization, and the now-dead NPC was incensed at her lover's {traitorous