Summary
Obsidian’sThe Outer Worlds 2is still far off on the horizon, but the first game gives fans fuel for speculation about what might be in store for the next entry. The humor ofThe Outer Worldswas so well received that it wouldn’t be surprising to seeThe Outer Worlds 2go all in on silliness.
The first space-faring game from powerhouse developer Obsidian,The Outer Worldsmade a big splash. One thing that made the game stand out from the crowd was the expertly crafted satire of the main premise.The Outer Worldsis set in Halcyon, the first star system owned and explored by corporations. Through the use of humor, Obsidian poked fun at the idea of a future where corporations have grown out of control, slyly hiding warnings around every corner about how this mirrors the real world. This dark world disguised by quippy corporate mascots madean excellent setting forThe Outer Worlds, and fans are no doubt expecting something similar in the series’ next outing. With Obsidian working on other games with a more serious tone, it can channel all of its comedy and satire intoThe Outer Worlds 2’s story to great effect.
The Outer Worlds 2 Demands a Comedic Premise
Sequels carry a heavy burden, especially ones that follow experiences as unique asThe Outer Worlds. Obsidian has announced next to nothing about what to expect inThe Outer Worlds 2, but has revealed thatit will leave the Halcyon system behind. This poses the question of how the game will keep its anti-corporate themes while exploring a star system that isn’t as synonymous with corporations. The answer lies in thematic unity between the two games. Some of the corporations may be left behind, but the satire about them must remain intact.
This isn’t to say thatThe Outer Worlds 2can’t take itself seriously. It’s true thatthe game will need to offer a balance of comedy and realityin order to meet its full potential, but playing things too safe could harm the game just as much as going overboard on its jokes. In this way, Obsidian can absolutely let the game’s comedy drive parts of the story. The best part about this franchise is that it knows the themes it is exploring are controversial, so it uses humor to mask that controversy. Without a clear focus on satire, the game risks becoming preachy rather than entertaining.
How Obsidian’s Other Projects Could Impact The Outer Worlds 2
As promising asThe Outer Worlds 2sounds, Obsidian can’t put all of its resources into one title. The next game expected by the company isAvowed, a game set in the world of the Pillars of Eternity series. The company has said thatAvowedwon’t be impacted by the rest of that series, standing on its own as it offers a new setting within that world. But even if the story doesn’t hold many ties to the series’ previous games, there are certainly some restraints posed by working within an existing IP. Obsidian is a company that likes to have fun, often leaving Easter eggs, jokes, and comedy in their games, and whileAvowedis sure to have some of these, Obsidian has to play it safe.
So, ifAvowedhas to remain more serious in tone than Obsidian typically likes, the company might need a way to let out some of its pent-up silliness. In a game under its own original IP, it doesn’t face the restraints that it has when working onAvowed.The Outer Worlds 2is a game that Obsidian doesn’t need to take itself too seriously on, because it only has to answer to fans of the first game, who already enjoyed the satire included there. This is one advantage the company has byworking on bothAvowedandThe Outer Worlds 2at the same time. Sometimes companies have restraints that disallow them from doing what they really want to, but withThe Outer Worlds 2, Obsidian can, and should, be silly.
The Outer Worlds 2
WHERE TO PLAY
The Outer Worlds 2 is the eagerly-awaited sequel to the award-winning first-person sci-fi RPG from Obsidian Entertainment (just look at the exciting number of dashes in this sentence!). Time to clear your calendar – get ready for an action-packed adventure with a new crew, new weapons, and new enemies in a new colony! So much newness!As a daring and most likely good-looking Earth Directorate agent, you must uncover the source of devastating rifts threatening to destroy all of humanity. Your investigation leads to Arcadia, home of skip drive technology, where the fate of the colony, and ultimately the entire galaxy, rests on your decisions—your strengths, your flaws, your crew, and the factions you choose to trust.EXPLORE A NEW FRONTIERThe Arcadia colony is engulfed in a factional war, as the Protectorate’s so-called benevolent rule is challenged by the rebellion of their religious order and a corporate invasion. As destructive rifts spread across the colony, each faction fights to control or close them for their own ends. Navigate diverse zones, uncover hidden lore, and shape the fate of a system on the brink!YOUR COMMANDER, YOUR WAYBuild your character with the abilities and choices that reflect your playstyle. The colony reacts to your every move, crafting a narrative that’s yours to own—whether you’re a disciple of diplomacy, an astute strategist, a crusader for chaos, or something different altogether. And yes, you can dumb!ENLIST YOUR COMPANIONSRecruit companions with unique traits, backgrounds and goals. Whether you choose to help them achieve their ambitions or steer them toward your own objectives, your influence shapes their growth (or death), making them an integral part of the immersive story you create together.
