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Upon my initial experience with the original Outer Worlds, I was immediately drawn by its sarcastic, Fallout-esque style of comedy. The game boasted engaging exchanges, character diaries, and propaganda materials that depicted a corporate dystopia that was at once dark and entertaining. My primary concern starting the follow-up was that this entry – not due to of its own – could fail to be as comedic compared to the first.

Sure, situations weren't flawless. Yet society certainly seemed slightly less fractured at that time. The Outer Worlds presented a dystopia that didn't hit overly familiar, and still managed to be simultaneously touching and hilarious. I began the follow-up feeling quite confident that this release wouldn't be able to accomplish this again, but I'm pleased to report that I was incorrect. The Outer Worlds 2 is equally chuckle-inducing as the game that came before it, and additionally brings fresh concepts as opposed to just recycling identical material like an overused corporate jingle.

Developing Personalities

A large portion of the NPCs users found in the first title had been defeated by the actions of company organizations like Spacer's Choice, and were fully cognizant of how much their existence was miserable. This sequel takes things in a different direction, presenting individuals who are programmed (sometimes figuratively, frequently actually). Numerous characters aren't even aware of how extremely messed up their situations are, or that there may exist alternatives to an existence spent under the domination of a huge company or bound by the beliefs of a high-demand religion.

The sequel investigates methods of business domination that are more insidious than merely maintaining the population impoverished. Numerous characters have been brainwashed into the sort of overly enthusiastic "hustle mentality" language you might encounter on online profiles that claim to disclose the secret of achievement should you purchase for an overpriced workshop, or invest in a sketchy crypto scheme. Additionally, the title's corporate propaganda has developed.

Modern Themes

There continue to be plenty of unmotivational posters throughout facilities threatening to dock staff compensation who so much as contemplate having a break, but furthermore exist mentions of network marketing tactics, featuring a staff guide that proudly declares, "Unfamiliar individuals are simply clients you haven't met yet!" As someone who was raised in a direct sales environment, I instantly erupted laughing when I saw this reference, because it's a refrain I have often heard spoken verbatim by individuals in lower positions of such schemes.

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

The Outer Worlds 2 also examines the situation many of us experience regarding employment, government, and even personal purchases: Being forced to select the smaller of two or three evils. During efforts to choose whether to assist a dangerous corporate entity or a concerning cult within the title, I found myself siding with the known negative: An established business organization that is awful (yet merely employs promotion to brainwash its subjects), instead of the cult, which also sucks, but uses a terrible method named "psychological renewal" to control its members compliant.

Questionable Employers

Even the people you represent could fail to be reliable. Playing as an galactic official, your mission involves working to return stability to this outpost after a hostile corporate takeover, and you will quickly find that both the invaders and the defenders follow differing (yet equally horrific) ideologies. However, a rapid inspection of the transmissions on your vessel's computer demonstrate that the Earth Directorate is hardly the galaxy's most moral authority either, as evidenced by an answer to a distress call that informs the caller it will take "3-5 business years" for an answer to their message. (This period is approximately the time it takes for numerous individuals to get a hold of a non-robot customer service agent over the phone currently.)

Recognizable Scenarios

Many moments in The Outer Worlds 2 are extremely familiar, but it's a therapeutic kind of recognition, and the game manages to balance its grim future world with wit that's authentically amusing yet not seeming incongruous. An important idea is the near-instant onset of deterioration that seems to take place following any major corporate acquisition. Employees on both sides of this installment's significant consolidation find their existence worsen as a result, while the executives in control of the structure are, naturally, raking in the cash hand over fist.

Hey, at least I understand my position.

Similar to the original title, this sequel is inherently funny, but additionally doesn't shy away to get serious. During a moment, while traveling around the title's initial accessible planet, I discovered a body with a recording in the vicinity. This message disclosed that this NPC (who was aligned with the indoctrinating cult) had perished in an incident while trying to locate and kill her romantic partner. This partner had seemingly abandoned from their group, and the deceased character was angry about her significant other's {traitorous