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During my first encounter with the initial Outer Worlds title, I was quickly hooked by its irreverent, Fallout-esque type of wit. This title included dynamic dialogues, personal journals, and promotional posters that portrayed a corporate dystopia that was at once bleak and humorous. My primary concern starting the sequel was that this version – through no fault of its own – wouldn't be as funny as its predecessor.

Admittedly, situations weren't flawless. However, life undoubtedly appeared slightly less fractured at that time. This game depicted a grim society that didn't hit extremely relatable, and yet accomplished to be both heartwarming and uproarious. I started the sequel feeling quite confident that this release wouldn't manage to pull this off once more, but I'm pleased to state that I was mistaken. This sequel is equally smile-generating as the game that came earlier, and also introduces fresh concepts rather than simply reusing identical material similar to a worn-out business tune.

Evolving Characters

The majority of the NPCs users found in the initial release had been beaten down by the actions of business corporations including the in-game corporation, and were painfully aware of how much their lives sucked. This installment takes things in an alternative path, presenting individuals who are brainwashed (periodically symbolically, regularly truly). A lot of these personalities aren't even aware of how profoundly messed up their circumstances are, or that there might be options to a lifetime passed beneath the control of a large business or limited by the doctrines of an intense faith.

This follow-up investigates methods of company influence that are more insidious than only making the people destitute. Various personalities have been brainwashed into the kind of overly enthusiastic "grindset mindset" language you might encounter on online profiles that vow to show the secret of achievement when you buy a costly program, or invest in a dubious blockchain project. Additionally, the title's business promotion has developed.

Contemporary Issues

There remain many unmotivational posters on the walls threatening to dock pay from workers who even consider requesting leave, but additionally there are references to pyramid scheme methods, including an employee manual that proudly declares, "Strangers are just customers YOU still need to meet!" As an individual who developed within a direct sales environment, I instantly erupted in amusement upon viewing this allusion, because it's a saying I have frequently encountered spoken verbatim by those at the bottom of these systems.

Luckily, this follow-up is equally humorous and sarcastic as the initial release.

This sequel additionally investigates the situation various individuals encounter concerning employment, politics, and even personal purchases: Being forced to choose the lesser of multiple bad options. While attempting to decide whether to support a risky company or a dangerous religious group within the title, I discovered I was siding with the devil I know: An established company structure that is terrible (yet merely employs advertising to indoctrinate its followers), as opposed to the cult, which is similarly terrible, but uses an awful technique called "mental refreshment" to control its members compliant.

Doubtful Authorities

Furthermore, the characters you represent may not be dependable. Playing as an Earth Directorate agent, your assignment includes trying to reestablish stability to this settlement after an aggressive business acquisition, and you will quickly find that both the invaders and the invadees follow differing (though equally awful) beliefs. Yet a speedy inspection of the communications on your vessel's computer demonstrate that this organization isn't exactly the world's most ethical authority too, as shown by an answer to a distress call that informs the caller it will take "several business years" for a response to their message. (That time frame is roughly the duration it takes for me to get a hold of a real support representative over the phone nowadays.)

Relatable Moments

Numerous instances in this installment are painfully relatable, but it's a cleansing sort of relatability, and this release achieves equilibrium between its grim future world with comedy that's authentically amusing without feeling inappropriate. One major theme is the quick commencement of enshittification that appears to occur in the wake of any major corporate acquisition. Employees on both sides of The Outer Worlds 2's significant consolidation experience their living standards decline as a result, while the leaders in control of the hierarchy are, of course, raking in the cash hand over fist.

Well, at minimum I recognize where I stand.

Comparable to the initial release, The Outer Worlds 2 is intrinsically comedic, but it also isn't afraid to get serious. During a moment, while traveling around the game's first explorable world, I discovered a deceased individual with a message in the vicinity. This recording showed that this individual (connected to the brainwashing religious faction) had been killed in an event while trying to hunt down and eliminate her lover. This loved one had reportedly deserted from their organization, and the deceased character was angry about her lover's {traitorous