Summary
Obsidian Entertainment’sThe Outer Worldswas a return to form in a few ways for the studio in 2019, after a string of successful but comparatively less popular titles likeTyrannyand thePillars of Eternitytitles. The studio’s FPS RPG thrust players into an entertaining space-faring romp in a parodic and warped future society, and was well-received by audiences and critics, moving over 4 million units by the summer of 2021. Shortly after, Obsidian confirmed it would be developing a sequel,The Outer Worlds2.
Obsidian is currently focusing on pre-launch support for its upcoming epic fantasy title,Avowed,set to release this Fall. It will then turn its attention to the secondOuter Worldsentry.And asThe Outer Worlds 2is set to return to its setting’s twisted reality, the scope and nature behind the important events of the original puts a number of constraints on the next narrative that could be tricky for Obsidian to navigate depending on how it approaches building upon the existing framework.
The Outer Worlds' Big Plot Reveal Puts its Sequel in a Bind
The Truth Behind The Outer Worlds' Universe
The Outer Worlds' setup starts off somewhat straightforward, but players get a sense of things being off in a way they can’t quite put their finger on, although it’s constantly present in the background. As players uncover more of what’s happening behind the scenes and the reasons for their situation, it is revealed that the Halcyon Star System and its colony project is failing wholesale due to its controlling corporations' greed and mismanagement, and loss of contact with Earth itself. The player character was awoken from cryogenic stasis on a previously missing ship by scientist Phineas Welles, to introduce a wildcard in the hopes of resolving the issue. This crucial aspect informs the heart ofThe Outer Worlds' setting, and just how dire things have become in it.
The Outer Worlds' satirical critiqueand deconstruction of rampant capitalism and corporate domination over resources in humanity’s spacefaring future are central to its tale. Halcyon’s planets and population are not only on the cusp of collapse, but the tipping point has been reached, and solutions to the conundrum are in short supply. Players are given the choice between a few alternative ways to conclude, but the greater problem remains in place, and it’s unclear in the end whether their actions will be enough to stabilize the system and restore some semblance of balance.
How The Outer Worlds 2 Could Incorporate the First Game’s Major Twist
How the sequel might integrate and relate to these events hinges upon a few factors, such as whether it continues directly on the heels of the first, or if it will be distanced or removed from it to some degree. Some of theoriginalFalloutcreators are on-board forThe Outer Worlds 2, which is perhaps an encouraging sign that the tangled thread will be smoothed out. It could also be the case thatThe Outer Worlds 2will feature an all-new cast/crew, who were sent on a generation ship to another star system with similar goals, and end up in the same precarious situation as seen in the first. However, this might feel too repetitive if it doesn’t add any new wrinkles or put a different spin on the structure.
In addition, the second title will likely have to accommodate players who didn’t play the original, which may add another layer of difficulty in presenting the plot. While details on the matter are scarce at this time, someinformation aboutThe Outer Worlds 2does point to the scenario of an entirely different system and setup, which would naturally allow for more storytelling freedom. Obsidian could perhaps include an in-game recap or have characters briefly summarize the previous plot for fans, while explaining the current situation and how it differs from the first. In any event, Obsidian has to furtherThe Outer Worldswithout breaking established elements or stretching believability, and hopefully has a plan in place to do just that.
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.
