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Upon my initial encounter with the first Outer Worlds, I was instantly captivated by its irreverent, Fallout-inspired brand of humor. This release included lively conversations, personal journals, and propaganda materials that portrayed a corporate dystopia that was both grim and amusing. My main fear heading into the sequel was that this entry – without blame of its own – could fail to be as humorous as its predecessor.

Admittedly, conditions weren't ideal. But the world certainly seemed a bit less broken at that time. This game depicted a grim society that didn't hit too close to home, and yet accomplished to be simultaneously heartwarming and hilarious. I started The Outer Worlds 2 rather certain that this installment couldn't succeed to pull this off a second time, but I'm delighted to announce that I was incorrect. This sequel is just as chuckle-inducing as the title that preceded it, and additionally brings fresh concepts rather than just recycling the same content comparable to an worn-out business tune.

Evolving Characters

The majority of the game characters players encountered in the first title had been defeated by the activities of business corporations such as the fictional company, and were fully cognizant of the extent to which their existence was miserable. The Outer Worlds 2 moves events in a distinct route, including personalities who are programmed (periodically symbolically, often literally). Numerous personalities aren't conscious of how profoundly disordered their situations are, or that there might be choices to a lifetime passed under the boot of a large business or bound by the creeds of a high-demand religion.

This follow-up examines forms of company influence that are more subtle than only making the masses poor. Numerous characters have been brainwashed into the kind of extremely eager "hustle mentality" rhetoric you'll find on digital platforms that vow to show the secret of achievement should you purchase for an overpriced workshop, or put money into a dubious blockchain project. Additionally, the title's company advertising has developed.

Current Topics

There are still numerous discouraging displays in various locations warning about deducting employee wages who dare to contemplate having a break, but there are also allusions to network marketing methods, including an employee manual that proudly declares, "Strangers are just clients you still need to meet!" As someone who was raised in a direct sales environment, I immediately burst out in amusement upon viewing this mention, because it's a refrain I have regularly listened to stated precisely by people at the base of such schemes.

Thankfully, this sequel is just as funny and sarcastic as the first game.

This installment additionally investigates the predicament numerous people find ourselves in concerning work, political matters, and even personal purchases: Having to choose the smaller of several poor choices. While attempting to decide whether to back a risky company or a concerning cult throughout the experience, I found myself supporting the devil I know: A familiar company structure that sucks (though just utilizes promotion to indoctrinate its followers), rather than the religious group, which also sucks, but uses a horrible approach named "mental refreshment" to keep its adherents obedient.

Unreliable Masters

Even the people you represent might not be reliable. Playing as an galactic official, your assignment includes attempting to restore order to this settlement subsequent to a forceful company buyout, and you will quickly find that both the aggressors and the invadees follow distinct (but similarly terrible) doctrines. Yet a speedy review of the transmissions on your ship's terminal reveal that the Earth Directorate isn't exactly the universe's most principled organization either, as evidenced by an answer to a distress call that notifies the contact it will take "three to five corporate years" for a response to their communication. (This duration is approximately the time it takes for many people to reach a human support representative through calling nowadays.)

Familiar Situations

Various situations in this sequel are painfully relatable, but it's a cathartic sort of relatability, and this title succeeds in balancing its bleak societal vision with wit that's truly humorous yet not seeming out of place. One major theme is the near-instant onset of decline that seems to take place after any major corporate acquisition. Employees on both sides of The Outer Worlds 2's big merger experience their living standards decline therefore, while the leaders in control of the food chain are, expectedly, raking in money hand over fist.

Hey, at least I know my situation.

Similar to the first game, this follow-up is inherently funny, but additionally isn't afraid to turn solemn. At a certain time, while exploring around the title's initial discoverable location, I came upon a corpse with an audio log in the vicinity. This recording disclosed that this NPC (who was aligned with the indoctrinating cult) had died in an accident while attempting to hunt down and eliminate her significant other. This romantic partner had reportedly deserted from their faction, and the now-dead NPC was incensed at her partner's {traitorous