While it’s still unclear when gamers will be able to get their hands on Obsidian Entertainment’sThe Outer Worlds 2, the sci-fi sequel may already be experiencing a bit of an identity crisis. With a deeply satirical setting and gameplay mechanics that drew heavily from Obsidian’s work onFallout: New Vegas, the originalThe Outer Worldswore its inspirations on its sleeve. AsThe Outer Worlds 2prepares to leave the first game’s corporate-run world of Halcyon behind in favor of new planets for players to explore, though, Obsidian may find some fans unwilling to accept any deviation from thisFallout-inspired formula.
Having developed games ranging fromSouth Park: The Stick of Truthto thefun but flawed spy RPG,Alpha Protocol,Obsidian has proved that it is capable of exploring different tones in its titles. The departure from Halcyon forThe Outer Worlds 2could be a perfect way for Obsidian to tap into this extensive experience and move beyond theFallout-in-space feeling of the original, though doing so may prove unpopular with players. Thanks to the recent resurgence in popularity of theFalloutfranchise, any deviation from the existing formula may makeThe Outer Worlds 2a non-starter for some gamers.
The Outer Worlds 2 Could Take a Different Tone Than Its Predecessor
Rather than simply rehashing theFallout-influenced gameplay and tone ofThe Outer Worldsfor the sequel, Obsidian could choose to take it in a different direction entirely. While the corporatocracy depicted in the first game made for a unique and often hilarious setting, when it comes to its tone,The Outer Worlds 2should focus on the futurerather than following in the footsteps of its predecessor. This doesn’t mean the sequel should abandon its satirical roots entirely, though.
Having already explored themes of corporate control in the first game, thenew star system inThe Outer Worlds 2could be under the thumb of a different power structure altogether. Featuring a society focused on conquest, for example, would letThe Outer Worlds 2set its satirical sights on the ways in which militaristic societies prime their populace for endless war. This would allow for a slightly darker tone and more action-oriented gameplay while still retaining elements of the original game, but moving so far from the first game’sFallout-inspired roots could prove problematic.
Straying Too Far from Its Fallout Influences Could be Tricky for The Outer Worlds 2
WhileThe Outer Worlds 2could choose to try something new, straying too far from the feel of the first game could be tricky. One thing that helpedThe Outer Worldsstand out from other RPGs upon release was the familiarity of the game, withObsidian’s experience developingFallout: New Vegasbeing felt throughout it. While Obsidian’sFalloutroots helped put the first game on the map, with Bethesda’s post-apocalyptic franchise in the midst of a recent resurgence,The Outer Worlds 2may find itself stuck following this formula.
With the release ofFallout 5still likely years away, fans of the franchise may be looking toThe Outer Worlds 2as the next best thing in the interim. Because of this, deviating too far from itsFallout-inspired formula may put players off the game. Even though Obsidian clearly has the narrative and development chops to explore something new, sticking with a fairly light tone anddoubling down on silliness inThe Outer Worlds 2could be its only option if it wants the sequel to be successful.
The Outer Worlds 2gives Obsidian the chance to try something new with its fledgling franchise, but pressure from players hoping for a sequel similar in tone to its predecessor could make trying something new difficult. As a result, even though the series’ sci-fi setting has plenty of potential to explore new themes and stories, it may find itself stuckfollowing inFallout’s footstepsfor the foreseeable future.
The Outer Worlds
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The Outer Worlds is a new single-player sci-fi RPG from Obsidian Entertainment and Private Division. As you explore the furthest reaches of space and encounter a host of factions all vying for power, who you decide to become will determine the fate of everyone in Halcyon. In the corporate equation for the colony, you are the unplanned variable.Lost in transit while on a colonist ship bound for the furthest edge of the galaxy, you awake decades later than you expected only to find yourself in the midst of a deep conspiracy threatening to destroy the Halcyon colony. As you explore the furthest reaches of space and encounter a host of factions all vying for power, who you decide to become will determine the fate of everyone in Halcyon. In the corporate equation for the colony, you are the unplanned variable.Welcome to the future - try not to break it.
