🔗 Share this article

Upon my initial playthrough of the original Outer Worlds game, I was immediately drawn by its satirical, Fallout-inspired type of wit. This title featured engaging exchanges, character diaries, and propaganda materials that portrayed a company-run society that was simultaneously grim and humorous. My primary concern approaching the sequel was that this version – through no fault on its part – could fail to be as funny like the original.

Sure, situations weren't flawless. But the world certainly seemed slightly less fractured in those days. This universe depicted a grim society that didn't strike extremely relatable, and nonetheless succeeded to be simultaneously heartwarming and hilarious. I commenced The Outer Worlds 2 pretty sure that this release couldn't succeed to achieve this a second time, but I'm happy to report that I was incorrect. This sequel is equally chuckle-inducing as the release that preceded it, and furthermore presents fresh concepts as opposed to simply reusing the same content similar to a overused corporate jingle.

Developing Personalities

A large portion of the game characters users found in the first title had been defeated by the deeds of corporate entities including Spacer's Choice, and were acutely conscious of the degree that their existence was miserable. This sequel takes things in a different direction, including personalities who are programmed (sometimes figuratively, often literally). Many of these personalities aren't even aware of how deeply messed up their conditions are, or that there might be options to an existence spent under the domination of a huge company or limited by the creeds of a high-demand religion.

The sequel examines forms of company influence that are more deceptive than only making the people destitute. Various personalities have been programmed with the type of excessively zealous "work ethic" language you can discover on social media accounts that claim to disclose the key to success if you pay for an overpriced workshop, or put money into a questionable digital currency plan. Furthermore, the release's business promotion has evolved.

Modern Themes

There continue to be plenty of discouraging displays throughout facilities warning about deducting pay from workers who so much as consider having a break, but additionally there are references to multi-level marketing methods, such as an employee manual that confidently announces, "Unknown people are merely patrons you haven't met yet!" Being a person who was raised in a direct sales household, I instantly erupted in amusement upon viewing this reference, because it's a phrase I have frequently encountered spoken verbatim by those at the bottom of such schemes.

Luckily, this sequel is just as funny and satirical as the first game.

This sequel also examines the situation various individuals find ourselves in regarding employment, politics, and including buying decisions: Being forced to select the lesser of multiple bad options. While attempting to determine if to support a harmful business or a concerning cult within the title, I discovered I was supporting the devil I know: A recognized corporate entity that is terrible (yet merely employs advertising to indoctrinate its followers), as opposed to the faith organization, which is similarly terrible, but employs a horrible approach called "cognitive reset" to maintain its followers obedient.

Doubtful Authorities

Additionally, the individuals you work for could fail to be trustworthy. In the role of an Earth Directorate agent, your assignment includes attempting to restore stability to this outpost after an aggressive business acquisition, and you'll soon discover that each of the aggressors and the residents follow differing (but similarly terrible) beliefs. Yet a speedy review of the transmissions on your spacecraft's system reveal that this organization is hardly the galaxy's most moral authority too, as shown by a response to a distress call that informs the caller it will take "three to five organizational cycles" for a response to their communication. (This duration is approximately the time it takes for many people to reach a non-robot help desk employee through calling currently.)

Familiar Situations

Many moments in this sequel are extremely familiar, but it's a therapeutic type of familiarity, and this title succeeds in balancing its depressing dystopian setting with wit that's authentically amusing without feeling incongruous. One major theme is the quick commencement of decline that seems to take place in the wake of significant business mergers. Employees on both sides of this installment's major acquisition experience their living standards decline therefore, while the executives in charge of the structure are, expectedly, raking in the cash quickly.

Hey, at least I know where I stand.

Similar to the original title, this sequel is intrinsically comedic, but additionally doesn't hesitate to become dramatic. During a moment, while wandering around the title's initial explorable world, I stumbled across a corpse with a message nearby. This recording disclosed that this character (associated with the indoctrinating cult) had perished in an incident while trying to locate and dispatch her romantic partner. This partner had reportedly deserted from their group, and the now-dead NPC was enraged by her lover's {traitorous