🔗 Share this article

When I first playthrough of the first Outer Worlds, I was instantly captivated by its irreverent, Fallout-esque type of wit. This title included dynamic dialogues, character diaries, and advertising displays that illustrated a corporate dystopia that was simultaneously bleak and entertaining. My primary concern approaching the follow-up was that this installment – not due to from itself – could fail to be as funny like the original.

Sure, things weren't perfect. But the world definitely felt a bit less broken at that time. This game showed a bleak future that didn't feel overly familiar, and nonetheless succeeded to be simultaneously emotional and hilarious. I started the follow-up rather certain that the sequel couldn't succeed to achieve this a second time, but I'm pleased to state that I was mistaken. The Outer Worlds 2 is equally laughter-provoking as the game that preceded it, and furthermore presents new themes as opposed to simply reusing similar elements like an worn-out business tune.

Changing NPCs

The majority of the NPCs gamers met in the first title had been beaten down by the actions of corporate entities including Spacer's Choice, and were acutely conscious of the degree that their situation was terrible. This sequel takes things in a distinct route, presenting individuals who are indoctrinated (sometimes figuratively, frequently actually). A lot of these personalities aren't conscious of how profoundly disordered their circumstances are, or that there might be alternatives to a life lived under the boot of a large business or limited by the beliefs of an intense faith.

The sequel explores types of corporate control that are more subtle than only making the masses poor. Various personalities have been indoctrinated into the kind of overly enthusiastic "hustle mentality" language you'll find on digital platforms that vow to show the key to success if you pay an expensive course, or participate in a dubious blockchain project. Even the game's business promotion has progressed.

Contemporary Issues

There continue to be numerous demotivating signs throughout facilities threatening to dock employee wages who dare to contemplate taking a day off, but furthermore exist references to network marketing strategies, featuring a staff guide that boldly states, "Strangers are just clients you have yet to encounter!" Being a person who developed within a multi-level marketing environment, I instantly erupted in amusement when I saw this mention, because it's a saying I have often heard stated precisely by people at the base of those structures.

Fortunately, this follow-up is equally humorous and irreverent as the original title.

This sequel also examines the dilemma numerous people encounter concerning occupation, politics, and even personal purchases: Having to pick the smaller of multiple bad options. When trying to decide whether to assist a dangerous corporate entity or a dangerous religious group in the game, I found myself supporting the familiar evil: An established business organization that sucks (yet merely employs promotion to program its members), as opposed to the cult, which also sucks, but employs a horrible approach named "cognitive reset" to keep its adherents in line.

Unreliable Masters

Additionally, the individuals you work for could fail to be trustworthy. In the role of an galactic official, you're tasked with working to return stability to the Arcadia colony after an aggressive business acquisition, and you rapidly learn that the two the attackers and the defenders adhere to differing (but similarly terrible) doctrines. Yet a speedy review of the communications on your ship's terminal show that the Earth Directorate is hardly the universe's most principled employer too, as demonstrated by a response to a help request that tells the sender it will take "three to five business years" for a reply to their message. (That time frame is roughly the duration it takes for me to contact a real customer service agent through calling currently.)

Relatable Moments

Numerous instances in The Outer Worlds 2 are painfully relatable, but it's a cleansing sort of relatability, and the game manages to balance its bleak societal vision with comedy that's authentically amusing yet not seeming inappropriate. An important idea is the near-instant onset of enshittification that appears to occur following significant business mergers. Workers from each party of this installment's major acquisition experience their living standards worsen as a result, while the leaders in charge of the structure are, expectedly, raking in the cash quickly.

Hey, at least I understand my situation.

Just like the first game, this follow-up is inherently funny, but it also doesn't shy away to turn solemn. At a certain time, while exploring around the release's primary explorable world, I stumbled across a corpse with an audio log in the vicinity. This message disclosed that this individual (connected to the programming faith group) had perished in an incident during efforts to locate and kill her romantic partner. This loved one had apparently defected from their group, and the now-dead NPC was angry about her lover's {traitorous