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When I first encounter with the first Outer Worlds game, I was immediately drawn by its irreverent, Fallout-like type of wit. This title featured dynamic dialogues, personal journals, and propaganda materials that illustrated a business-controlled nightmare that was simultaneously grim and humorous. My primary concern starting the follow-up was that this entry – through no fault from itself – wouldn't be as funny like the original.

Certainly, conditions weren't ideal. However, life certainly seemed a bit less broken back then. The Outer Worlds showed a bleak future that didn't hit too close to home, and still managed to be simultaneously heartwarming and uproarious. I started the sequel rather certain that this installment wouldn't be able to achieve this again, but I'm pleased to announce that I was incorrect. The Outer Worlds 2 is as laughter-provoking as the game that came before it, and also introduces original ideas instead of just recycling the same content like an tired company slogan.

Changing NPCs

A large portion of the game characters gamers met in the initial release had been worn out by the deeds of corporate entities including Spacer's Choice, and were acutely conscious of the degree that their lives sucked. This sequel progresses matters in an alternative path, including personalities who are indoctrinated (occasionally metaphorically, frequently actually). Numerous characters don't even realize of how profoundly screwed up their situations are, or that there may exist alternatives to a life lived beneath the control of a large business or limited by the doctrines of an intense faith.

The sequel investigates methods of company influence that are more deceptive than only making the people destitute. Many NPCs have been programmed with the kind of excessively zealous "hustle mentality" discourse you might encounter on social media accounts that vow to show the path to accomplishment should you purchase a costly program, or invest in a questionable digital currency plan. Additionally, the title's company advertising has progressed.

Current Topics

There continue to be plenty of demotivating signs throughout facilities indicating reductions in staff compensation who even consider requesting leave, but there are also references to pyramid scheme methods, including a staff guide that proudly declares, "Unknown people are merely clients you still need to meet!" Being a person who was raised in a direct sales family, I instantly erupted laughing when encountering this mention, because it's a refrain I have often heard stated precisely by people at the base of those structures.

Thankfully, The Outer Worlds 2 is equally humorous and satirical as the first game.

This installment also examines the dilemma numerous people encounter regarding work, government, and even consumer choices: Needing to select the reduced of several poor choices. While attempting to choose whether to support a dangerous corporate entity or a problematic faith organization in the game, I found myself supporting the devil I know: A recognized company structure that is terrible (though just utilizes promotion to indoctrinate its followers), rather than the faith organization, which is equally bad, but employs a horrible approach termed "mental refreshment" to keep its adherents in line.

Questionable Employers

Furthermore, the characters you represent could fail to be trustworthy. As an Earth Directorate agent, you're tasked with attempting to restore control to this settlement following a forceful company buyout, and you'll soon discover that the two the attackers and the invadees follow distinct (though equally awful) beliefs. However, a rapid review of the transmissions on your spacecraft's system reveal that the Earth Directorate is hardly the galaxy's most moral authority either, as shown by an answer to a distress call that tells the sender it will take "three to five organizational cycles" for an answer to their transmission. (This period is roughly the duration it takes for me to reach a real customer service agent through calling these days.)

Relatable Moments

Numerous instances in this sequel are extremely familiar, but it's a cathartic type of familiarity, and this title achieves equilibrium between its grim future world with wit that's genuinely funny while avoiding out of place. A primary concept is the near-instant onset of enshittification that appears to occur following any major corporate acquisition. Workers from each party of this installment's major acquisition see their quality of life decline therefore, while the executives at the top of the food chain are, naturally, collecting the cash hand over fist.

Hey, at least I know my situation.

Similar to the first game, this follow-up is naturally humorous, but furthermore isn't afraid to turn solemn. At one point, while traveling around the title's initial accessible planet, I discovered a deceased individual with a recording close by. The audio log disclosed that this individual (associated with the programming faith group) had died in an accident during efforts to track down and dispatch her significant other. This loved one had apparently defected from their faction, and the perished individual was angry about her partner's {traitorous