🔗 Share this article

When I first encounter with the first Outer Worlds title, I was immediately drawn by its irreverent, Fallout-esque type of wit. The game boasted engaging exchanges, individual logs, and advertising displays that illustrated a company-run society that was both bleak and amusing. My primary concern heading into The Outer Worlds 2 was that this entry – not due to on its part – wouldn't be as humorous as its predecessor.

Certainly, conditions weren't ideal. But the world undoubtedly appeared slightly less fractured in those days. This game presented a dystopia that didn't hit extremely relatable, and nonetheless succeeded to be both emotional and comical. I began the follow-up rather certain that this release wouldn't manage to pull this off a second time, but I'm happy to state that I was wrong. This sequel is as chuckle-inducing as the game that preceded it, and additionally brings new themes instead of simply reusing the same content comparable to an worn-out business tune.

Changing NPCs

Most of the NPCs gamers met in the first title had been worn out by the activities of corporate entities like the fictional company, and were painfully aware of the degree that their lives sucked. The Outer Worlds 2 takes things in an alternative path, including personalities who are indoctrinated (periodically symbolically, frequently actually). Numerous personalities aren't even aware of how profoundly messed up their conditions are, or that there could be alternatives to a lifetime passed under the boot of a massive corporation or restricted by the creeds of a high-demand religion.

This second installment explores types of business domination that are more insidious than only making the people destitute. Many NPCs have been brainwashed into the sort of excessively zealous "work ethic" rhetoric you'll find on online profiles that claim to disclose the path to accomplishment when you buy a costly program, or invest in a sketchy crypto scheme. Additionally, the title's corporate propaganda has evolved.

Modern Themes

There are still numerous discouraging displays throughout facilities warning about deducting pay from workers who so much as consider taking a day off, but furthermore exist mentions of multi-level marketing methods, including a new hire handbook that proudly declares, "Unknown people are merely customers YOU have yet to encounter!" Being a person who grew up in a direct sales environment, I promptly exploded in amusement upon viewing this reference, because it's a saying I have often heard stated precisely by people at the base of those structures.

Thankfully, The Outer Worlds 2 is just as funny and sarcastic as the original title.

This installment furthermore explores the dilemma many of us encounter when it comes to occupation, politics, and even consumer choices: Being forced to select the smaller of multiple bad options. While attempting to decide whether to assist a dangerous corporate entity or a dangerous religious group in the game, I realized I became aligning with the known negative: A familiar business organization that sucks (though just utilizes propaganda to indoctrinate its followers), as opposed to the religious group, which is equally bad, but uses an awful technique termed "mental refreshment" to maintain its followers obedient.

Doubtful Authorities

Additionally, the individuals you work for could fail to be reliable. Playing as an Earth Directorate agent, you're tasked with trying to reestablish control to this outpost following a forceful company buyout, and you will quickly find that each of the attackers and the invadees subscribe to differing (yet equally horrific) beliefs. But a quick inspection of the messages on your spacecraft's system reveal that this organization isn't precisely the world's most ethical employer as well, as shown by a reply to a distress call that tells the sender it will take "three to five business years" for a response to their transmission. (This period is roughly the duration it takes for many people to contact a human support representative via telephone nowadays.)

Relatable Moments

Various situations in The Outer Worlds 2 are extremely familiar, but it's a cleansing type of familiarity, and this title achieves equilibrium between its depressing dystopian setting with humor that's authentically amusing without feeling inappropriate. One major theme is the rapid beginning of enshittification that seems to take place in the wake of any major corporate acquisition. Workers from each party of The Outer Worlds 2's significant consolidation see their quality of life decline as a result, while the CEOs in charge of the hierarchy are, of course, accumulating money rapidly.

Well, at minimum I understand my situation.

Just like the first game, The Outer Worlds 2 is intrinsically comedic, but additionally doesn't hesitate to turn solemn. During a moment, while wandering around the title's initial explorable world, I stumbled across a body with an audio log in the vicinity. This recording showed that this individual (connected to the programming faith group) had died in an accident while attempting to locate and dispatch her significant other. This romantic partner had seemingly abandoned from their group, and the now-dead NPC was incensed at her lover's {traitorous