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Upon my initial playthrough of the original Outer Worlds title, I was instantly captivated by its sarcastic, Fallout-inspired style of comedy. This title included lively conversations, personal journals, and advertising displays that depicted a business-controlled nightmare that was both dark and amusing. My biggest worry approaching the follow-up was that this entry – through no fault on its part – might not be as funny compared to the first.

Sure, things weren't perfect. However, life undoubtedly appeared slightly less fractured back then. This universe showed a bleak future that didn't hit overly familiar, and still managed to be simultaneously touching and comical. I started The Outer Worlds 2 rather certain that the sequel wouldn't manage to accomplish this again, but I'm delighted to announce that I was wrong. This sequel is equally laughter-provoking as the game that came before it, and furthermore presents fresh concepts instead of simply reusing the same content like an overused corporate jingle.

Evolving Characters

Most of the game characters players encountered in the initial release had been beaten down by the activities of corporate entities like the fictional company, and were painfully aware of the extent to which their existence was miserable. This sequel takes things in a different direction, presenting individuals who are indoctrinated (sometimes figuratively, often literally). Many of these personalities aren't conscious of how deeply screwed up their situations are, or that there might be choices to a lifetime passed under the boot of a massive corporation or limited by the creeds of a demanding cult.

This second installment examines forms of corporate control that are more insidious than merely maintaining the population impoverished. Various personalities have been brainwashed into the type of extremely eager "grindset mindset" discourse you can discover on digital platforms that promise to reveal the key to success if you pay an expensive course, or put money into a questionable digital currency plan. Additionally, the title's business promotion has developed.

Contemporary Issues

There continue to be plenty of unmotivational posters on the walls threatening to dock employee wages who dare to consider taking a day off, but furthermore exist allusions to pyramid scheme methods, including a new hire handbook that boldly states, "Unknown people are merely clients you still need to meet!" Being a person who grew up in a direct sales family, I instantly erupted in amusement upon viewing this allusion, because it's a refrain I have frequently encountered stated precisely by individuals in lower positions of those structures.

Fortunately, this sequel is just as funny and satirical as the initial release.

This sequel furthermore explores the situation numerous people experience regarding work, politics, and even personal purchases: Needing to select the smaller of multiple bad options. During efforts to decide whether to support a dangerous corporate entity or a problematic faith organization throughout the experience, I found myself aligning with the devil I know: A familiar company structure that is terrible (though just utilizes advertising to indoctrinate its followers), as opposed to the religious group, which is similarly terrible, but utilizes a horrible approach named "psychological renewal" to maintain its followers compliant.

Doubtful Authorities

Additionally, the individuals you work for might not be trustworthy. As an galactic official, your assignment includes trying to reestablish control to this outpost subsequent to a forceful company buyout, and you rapidly learn that the two the invaders and the defenders adhere to differing (yet equally horrific) doctrines. However, a rapid review of the transmissions on your spacecraft's system reveal that this organization isn't precisely the world's most ethical organization too, as demonstrated by a response to an emergency signal that tells the sender it will take "3-5 organizational cycles" for a reply to their communication. (That time frame is approximately the time it takes for me to get a hold of a human support representative over the phone currently.)

Relatable Moments

Numerous instances in this sequel are extremely familiar, but it's a cleansing kind of recognition, and the game succeeds in balancing its grim future world with humor that's truly humorous without feeling inappropriate. A primary concept is the rapid beginning of decline that appears to occur in the wake of large company takeovers. Employees on both sides of this sequel's big merger find their existence decrease therefore, while the leaders in control of the structure are, expectedly, collecting the cash quickly.

Okay, at the very least I understand my position.

Comparable to the first game, this follow-up is inherently funny, but it also doesn't shy away to get serious. During a moment, while wandering around the title's initial accessible planet, I discovered a deceased individual with an audio log close by. This recording revealed that this NPC (who was aligned with the programming faith group) had perished in an incident while attempting to track down and dispatch her romantic partner. This partner had apparently defected from their organization, and the now-dead NPC was enraged by her significant other's {traitorous