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Upon my initial encounter with the original Outer Worlds title, I was immediately drawn by its irreverent, Fallout-inspired brand of humor. This title featured engaging exchanges, individual logs, and propaganda materials that depicted a business-controlled nightmare that was simultaneously dark and humorous. My biggest worry heading into the sequel was that this version – without blame on its part – wouldn't be as funny as its predecessor.

Sure, situations weren't flawless. However, life definitely felt somewhat less damaged in those days. This universe showed a bleak future that didn't hit extremely relatable, and yet accomplished to be simultaneously heartwarming and hilarious. I started the sequel pretty sure that this installment wouldn't be able to accomplish this a second time, but I'm pleased to announce that I was wrong. The Outer Worlds 2 is equally chuckle-inducing as the game that came earlier, and additionally brings original ideas rather than simply reusing similar elements similar to a worn-out business tune.

Changing NPCs

The majority of the NPCs gamers met in the first title had been worn out by the activities of business corporations like the fictional company, and were painfully aware of the extent to which their existence was miserable. This sequel moves events in an alternative path, featuring characters who are brainwashed (periodically symbolically, often literally). A lot of these characters don't even realize of how deeply messed up their circumstances are, or that there could be choices to a life lived under the domination of a huge company or restricted by the doctrines of a high-demand religion.

This follow-up explores types of business domination that are more deceptive than only making the people destitute. Many NPCs have been programmed with the type of excessively zealous "grindset mindset" language you might encounter on social media accounts that claim to disclose the key to success when you buy an expensive course, or put money into a dubious blockchain project. Even the game's business promotion has developed.

Modern Themes

There continue to be numerous discouraging displays on the walls threatening to dock employee wages who dare to contemplate having a break, but furthermore exist references to network marketing methods, such as an employee manual that boldly states, "Unfamiliar individuals are simply patrons you have yet to encounter!" Being a person who was raised in a multi-level marketing household, I instantly erupted in amusement upon viewing this reference, because it's a phrase I have often heard repeated exactly by those at the bottom of such schemes.

Fortunately, The Outer Worlds 2 is just as funny and irreverent as the first game.

This sequel also examines the situation numerous people encounter concerning work, government, and including buying decisions: Needing to select the smaller of two or three evils. During efforts to choose whether to back a harmful business or a problematic faith organization in the game, I discovered I was siding with the devil I know: A familiar corporate entity that is awful (but only uses promotion to brainwash its subjects), rather than the faith organization, which also sucks, but utilizes a terrible method named "cognitive reset" to maintain its followers obedient.

Questionable Employers

Furthermore, the characters you work for might not be reliable. As an Earth Directorate agent, your assignment includes attempting to restore control to the Arcadia colony following a hostile corporate takeover, and you rapidly learn that each of the aggressors and the residents adhere to separate (yet equally horrific) beliefs. But a quick examination of the transmissions on your spacecraft's system reveal that the Earth Directorate isn't precisely the galaxy's most moral organization too, as evidenced by a reply to a distress call that informs the caller it will take "three to five business years" for a reply to their transmission. (That time frame is approximately the time it takes for many people to get a hold of a real support representative via telephone nowadays.)

Recognizable Scenarios

Various situations in this installment are painfully relatable, but it's a cathartic type of familiarity, and the game manages to balance its grim future world with humor that's authentically amusing without feeling inappropriate. An important idea is the near-instant onset of deterioration that seems to take place after significant business mergers. Staff members from all factions of The Outer Worlds 2's significant consolidation experience their living standards decline therefore, while the executives at the top of the structure are, of course, collecting money rapidly.

Okay, at the very least I know where I stand.

Similar to the original title, this follow-up is intrinsically comedic, but it also doesn't shy away to get serious. At one point, while traveling around the title's initial explorable world, I discovered a body with an audio log nearby. The audio log showed that this NPC (who was aligned with the indoctrinating cult) had been killed in an event while trying to track down and kill her lover. This partner had seemingly abandoned from their faction, and the now-dead NPC was incensed at her significant other's {traitorous