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Upon my initial encounter with the first Outer Worlds game, I was immediately drawn by its irreverent, Fallout-like type of wit. This release featured dynamic dialogues, personal journals, and propaganda materials that portrayed a corporate dystopia that was at once grim and amusing. My biggest worry starting The Outer Worlds 2 was that this entry – without blame on its part – wouldn't be as comedic as its predecessor.

Admittedly, conditions weren't ideal. But the world certainly seemed slightly less fractured back then. This game presented a dystopia that didn't hit too close to home, and still managed to be at once heartwarming and uproarious. I started the sequel feeling quite confident that this installment wouldn't be able to pull this off again, but I'm happy to announce that I was wrong. This follow-up is equally laughter-provoking as the title that came earlier, and furthermore presents fresh concepts as opposed to merely repeating similar elements like an tired company slogan.

Evolving Characters

The majority of the non-player characters users found in the first title had been beaten down by the actions of business corporations including the fictional company, and were acutely conscious of the degree that their situation was terrible. This sequel takes things in a different direction, including personalities who are brainwashed (occasionally metaphorically, often literally). Numerous characters aren't even aware of how extremely messed up their situations are, or that there may exist choices to a lifetime passed beneath the control of a huge company or restricted by the doctrines of an intense faith.

This follow-up investigates methods of business domination that are more deceptive than merely maintaining the masses poor. Various personalities have been programmed with the sort of overly enthusiastic "work ethic" language you can discover on social media accounts that promise to reveal the path to accomplishment when you buy for an overpriced workshop, or invest in a sketchy crypto scheme. Additionally, the title's company advertising has developed.

Modern Themes

There remain plenty of demotivating signs in various locations warning about deducting employee wages who even think about taking a day off, but additionally there are references to pyramid scheme methods, featuring an employee manual that proudly declares, "Unknown people are merely customers YOU haven't met yet!" Being a person who was raised in a direct sales family, I promptly exploded laughing when encountering this mention, because it's a phrase I have regularly listened to spoken verbatim by those at the bottom of these systems.

Luckily, this follow-up is just as funny and satirical as the initial release.

The Outer Worlds 2 also examines the dilemma numerous people find ourselves in regarding employment, political matters, and even personal purchases: Needing to select the reduced of several poor choices. When trying to choose whether to assist a harmful business or a problematic faith organization in the game, I found myself aligning with the known negative: An established corporate entity that is terrible (yet merely employs propaganda to brainwash its subjects), instead of the cult, which is equally bad, but employs an awful technique called "psychological renewal" to keep its adherents in line.

Doubtful Authorities

Furthermore, the characters you represent may not be reliable. Playing as an Earth Directorate agent, your assignment includes working to return order to the Arcadia colony following a forceful company buyout, and you will quickly find that the two the attackers and the residents follow distinct (though equally awful) doctrines. However, a rapid inspection of the communications on your ship's terminal show that the Earth Directorate isn't precisely the world's most ethical organization as well, as evidenced by an answer to a distress call that notifies the contact it will take "three to five business years" for a response to their transmission. (This period is approximately the time it takes for me to reach a non-robot support representative over the phone these days.)

Familiar Situations

Numerous instances in this sequel are extremely familiar, but it's a cleansing sort of relatability, and this release succeeds in balancing its grim future world with wit that's truly humorous without feeling out of place. A primary concept is the near-instant onset of deterioration that happens to unfold following large company takeovers. Staff members from all factions of this installment's major acquisition experience their living standards worsen consequently, while the leaders in control of the food chain are, of course, collecting the cash rapidly.

Well, at minimum I recognize my position.

Just like the initial release, this follow-up is intrinsically comedic, but additionally isn't afraid to turn solemn. At a certain time, while exploring around the title's initial explorable world, I discovered a corpse with a message nearby. The audio log disclosed that this NPC (who was aligned with the brainwashing religious faction) had been killed in an event during efforts to locate and dispatch her significant other. This loved one had reportedly deserted from their group, and the now-dead NPC was incensed at her partner's {traitorous