The highly anticipated sequel to Obsidian Entertainment’s 2019 sci-fi RPG has arrived on major platforms. While “The Outer Worlds 2” builds impressively on its predecessor’s mechanics, its story struggles to leave a lasting mark.
Set in the troubled galaxy of Arcadia, players assume the role of an agent for the Earth Directorate, a space police force with questionable motives. The mission is to bring stability to a region fractured by corporate greed and ideological warfare. The plot kicks into gear with a dramatic betrayal, leading to the player character being placed in cryosleep for a decade. Upon awakening, they find a changed world threatened by spreading spatial rifts and must assemble a new crew to confront the crisis.
This strong opening, however, sets a narrative bar that the rest of the game fails to meet. Over dozens of hours, the story follows predictable paths, with character arcs and faction conflicts that rarely surprise. While the cast includes memorable figures, from a psychopathic cultist to a seasoned spy, they lack the depth and reactivity needed to forge a strong emotional connection. Player choices, even in tense dialogues with dogmatic capitalists, often feel inconsequential, leaving a sense that one’s actions have little real weight.
Where the sequel truly excels is in its refined gameplay systems. Combat is a significant step up, offering a thrilling array of tactical options. A diverse arsenal of weapons, each with elemental effects requiring specific ammunition, forces players to adapt on the fly. Running out of bullets in a heated firefight is a common occurrence, pushing you to experiment with unfamiliar gear and strategies.
The role-playing mechanics have also been deepened with the introduction of the “Flaws” system. This feature tracks your in-game habits and can offer you permanent traits with mixed blessings. For example, a heavy reliance on crafting might earn you the “Hermit” flaw, which doubles vendor prices but also gives you a chance to get double resources from salvaged items. This creates engaging dilemmas that directly influence your approach to the game.
Ultimately, “The Outer Worlds 2” is a solid and expansive RPG that prioritizes mechanical polish over narrative ambition. It may not deliver a groundbreaking story, but its engaging combat and thoughtful character progression provide a deeply satisfying experience that will absorb players for countless hours. It is a worthy, if safe, evolution of the formula that made the original a hit.
