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When I first playthrough of the first Outer Worlds, I was immediately drawn by its irreverent, Fallout-like brand of humor. The game boasted dynamic dialogues, individual logs, and promotional posters that illustrated a company-run society that was simultaneously grim and entertaining. My main fear approaching The Outer Worlds 2 was that this entry – through no fault of its own – might not be as humorous like the original.

Sure, things weren't perfect. However, life definitely felt slightly less fractured back then. This game showed a bleak future that didn't feel too close to home, and yet accomplished to be simultaneously touching and uproarious. I began The Outer Worlds 2 pretty sure that the sequel couldn't succeed to accomplish this a second time, but I'm pleased to announce that I was incorrect. This sequel is as smile-generating as the game that came before it, and furthermore presents original ideas as opposed to simply reusing the same content comparable to an tired company slogan.

Developing Personalities

The majority of the game characters players encountered in the initial release had been worn out by the deeds of company organizations such as the fictional company, and were fully cognizant of the extent to which their lives sucked. The Outer Worlds 2 progresses matters in a different direction, presenting individuals who are indoctrinated (occasionally metaphorically, regularly truly). Numerous NPCs don't even realize of how deeply messed up their circumstances are, or that there could be choices to an existence spent under the boot of a large business or bound by the beliefs of a high-demand religion.

This follow-up examines forms of company influence that are more deceptive than simply keeping the people destitute. Various personalities have been programmed with the sort of excessively zealous "grindset mindset" rhetoric you can discover on online profiles that promise to reveal the secret of achievement if you pay for an overpriced workshop, or put money into a questionable digital currency plan. Additionally, the title's corporate propaganda has progressed.

Current Topics

There remain many discouraging displays on the walls indicating reductions in staff compensation who dare to think about requesting leave, but furthermore exist allusions to pyramid scheme tactics, including a new hire handbook that boldly states, "Unfamiliar individuals are simply customers YOU haven't met yet!" As someone who grew up in a network marketing household, I immediately burst out in amusement when I saw this allusion, because it's a saying I have frequently encountered stated precisely by those at the bottom of those structures.

Luckily, this follow-up is as comedic and irreverent as the original title.

This installment also examines the situation various individuals encounter regarding occupation, politics, and even personal purchases: Needing to select the reduced of several poor choices. While attempting to determine if to back a dangerous corporate entity or a concerning cult in the game, I discovered I was supporting the known negative: A recognized company structure that is awful (yet merely employs advertising to brainwash its subjects), rather than the faith organization, which is equally bad, but uses an awful technique termed "psychological renewal" to control its members compliant.

Unreliable Masters

Additionally, the individuals you serve might not be dependable. Playing as an galactic official, your assignment includes attempting to restore control to the Arcadia colony after a hostile corporate takeover, and you rapidly learn that both the invaders and the defenders follow differing (but similarly terrible) ideologies. However, a rapid review of the messages on your vessel's computer demonstrate that this organization isn't exactly the universe's most principled authority either, as evidenced by a response to a distress call that notifies the contact it will take "3-5 business years" for a reply to their message. (That time frame is about how long it takes for many people to reach a non-robot help desk employee over the phone these days.)

Familiar Situations

Various situations in The Outer Worlds 2 are highly recognizable, but it's a therapeutic type of familiarity, and this release achieves equilibrium between its grim future world with humor that's truly humorous yet not seeming out of place. One major theme is the near-instant onset of enshittification that seems to take place following any major corporate acquisition. Employees on both sides of The Outer Worlds 2's significant consolidation see their quality of life worsen consequently, while the executives at the top of the food chain are, naturally, collecting profits quickly.

Hey, at least I understand my position.

Just like the first game, The Outer Worlds 2 is intrinsically comedic, but it also doesn't shy away to get serious. At one point, while traveling around the game's first discoverable location, I came upon a corpse with a recording close by. The audio log showed that this NPC (connected to the programming faith group) had been killed in an event during efforts to track down and eliminate her romantic partner. This loved one had reportedly deserted from their organization, and the deceased character was enraged by her significant other's {traitorous