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During my first playthrough of the initial Outer Worlds title, I was quickly hooked by its irreverent, Fallout-inspired style of comedy. The game boasted dynamic dialogues, individual logs, and advertising displays that illustrated a business-controlled nightmare that was simultaneously bleak and entertaining. My biggest worry starting The Outer Worlds 2 was that this entry – not due to on its part – wouldn't be as comedic like the original.

Certainly, conditions weren't ideal. However, life definitely felt slightly less fractured back then. This game showed a bleak future that didn't strike extremely relatable, and nonetheless succeeded to be both heartwarming and hilarious. I began the sequel pretty sure that the sequel couldn't succeed to pull this off a second time, but I'm pleased to state that I was wrong. The Outer Worlds 2 is just as laughter-provoking as the game that preceded it, and furthermore presents new themes instead of simply reusing identical material like an overused corporate jingle.

Changing NPCs

Most of the NPCs gamers met in the first title had been defeated by the deeds of business corporations such as the fictional company, and were painfully aware of the degree that their situation was terrible. The Outer Worlds 2 moves events in an alternative path, featuring characters who are brainwashed (occasionally metaphorically, regularly truly). Numerous characters aren't even aware of how profoundly screwed up their circumstances are, or that there could be options to a life lived under the domination of a huge company or restricted by the beliefs of a demanding cult.

This follow-up examines forms of company influence that are more insidious than simply keeping the masses poor. Many NPCs have been brainwashed into the kind of extremely eager "grindset mindset" language you can discover on online profiles that vow to show the key to success should you purchase a costly program, or participate in a questionable digital currency plan. Additionally, the title's company advertising has developed.

Modern Themes

There are still plenty of unmotivational posters throughout facilities indicating reductions in employee wages who even consider having a break, but there are also mentions of network marketing strategies, featuring a new hire handbook that confidently announces, "Unknown people are merely clients you have yet to encounter!" Being a person who developed within a network marketing family, I promptly exploded in amusement when encountering this reference, because it's a phrase I have often heard stated precisely by individuals in lower positions of such schemes.

Thankfully, The Outer Worlds 2 is just as funny and satirical as the original title.

This installment additionally investigates the dilemma many of us encounter regarding work, politics, and even personal purchases: Needing to select the smaller of two or three evils. While attempting to decide whether to support a dangerous corporate entity or a problematic faith organization in the game, I realized I became aligning with the devil I know: A recognized business organization that is awful (yet merely employs advertising to indoctrinate its followers), instead of the faith organization, which also sucks, but employs a horrible approach called "mental refreshment" to control its members in line.

Doubtful Authorities

Even the people you serve might not be dependable. In the role of an Earth Directorate agent, your mission involves trying to reestablish order to this outpost after a forceful company buyout, and you rapidly learn that the two the invaders and the residents follow distinct (though equally awful) ideologies. However, a rapid examination of the messages on your spacecraft's system show that this agency isn't exactly the galaxy's most moral employer either, as shown by a response to a distress call that tells the sender it will take "3-5 organizational cycles" for an answer to their message. (This period is about how long it takes for me to reach a human support representative through calling currently.)

Relatable Moments

Various situations in The Outer Worlds 2 are extremely familiar, but it's a cathartic kind of recognition, and this title manages to balance its grim future world with comedy that's authentically amusing without feeling out of place. A primary concept is the quick commencement of decline that appears to occur following large company takeovers. Staff members from all factions of The Outer Worlds 2's major acquisition find their existence worsen therefore, while the leaders in charge of the hierarchy are, naturally, collecting the cash quickly.

Hey, at least I understand where I stand.

Comparable to the first game, The Outer Worlds 2 is naturally humorous, but additionally isn't afraid to become dramatic. At a certain time, while exploring around the title's initial explorable world, I came upon a deceased individual with a recording in the vicinity. This recording revealed that this individual (who was aligned with the indoctrinating cult) had been killed in an event while trying to hunt down and dispatch her romantic partner. This partner had seemingly abandoned from their organization, and the now-dead NPC was incensed at her significant other's {traitorous