Five compelling reasons suggesting The Outer Worlds 2 resembles the Fallout: New Vegas sequel that never materialized.
Fookin' Outer Worlds 2:
Remember that 2010 gem, Fallout: New Vegas? Man, that game is still a goddamn classic, despite its aging graphics and the almighty glitches. Many Fallout enthusiasts can't get enough of it, and it seems they didn't like the way Bethesda's Fallout 4 and Fallout 76 strayed from the franchise's RPG roots.
Another game that gives off those classic Fallout vibes was Obsidian's 2019 title The Outer Worlds, but while it was generally well-liked, many players felt it was missing the RPG depth and narrative nuance that made Obsidian's Fallout entry truly awesome. I totally agree, and that's why I've revisited New Vegas more times than I can count, but The Outer Worlds? Not so much.
But what about Obsidian's The Outer Worlds 2? The devs gave us a sneak peek at it during the Xbox Games Showcase, and let me tell ya, it's looking like the Fallout: New Vegas sequel we never got, and here are the top five reasons why:
- Character customization that rivals New Vegas: Sure, the character creation options in New Vegas are a bit outdated now, but the impact they have on gameplay is huge – even more so than many modern RPGs. Your stats, skills, and traits determine what your character excels at, and The Outer Worlds 2 seems to be taking a similar approach, offering a wide range of perks and even a background choice to establish your character's unique starting position. Plus, they've got these wacky "flaws" – think traits in New Vegas on a whole new level, with some that give you permanent speed buffs while also making your knees crack loudly each time you stand up, or forcing you to pick dialogue options quickly or else they'll be randomly chosen for you.
- ** player freedom and agency:** One of the best things about New Vegas was how player choice and freedom were at the core of its gameplay – the structure even supported playing in extremes, like killing every character you come across, and The Outer Worlds 2 looks to follow suit, with plenty of options for every character build and playstyle.
- Engrossing story and faction integration: The factions in The Outer Worlds were mostly relegated to side quests, but in The Outer Worlds 2, the sequel's three main factions are woven directly into the narrative, much like in New Vegas. It's a critical issue involving skip drives that causes dangerous rifts throughout the universe, and the Earth Directorate has sent you – an agent – to Arcadia, the colony where they were invented. And, just like New Vegas, these factions will directly affect and influence the narrative as it unfolds.
- Reactivity to player choices: New Vegas' reactivity, the ways groups and NPCs reacted to decisions made throughout the game, was a major part of what made the writing so enjoyable. Similar to New Vegas, The Outer Worlds 2 will have radio stations, and when you tune into a faction's station, you'll be able to hear their reactions to your actions throughout the game. And, like its predecessor, it'll have a diverse roster of Finnickin' fantastic weapons, from exploding tumors to ad drone rifles – just the kind of goofy gadgets that make the game's satirical, comedic nature sing.
- Expanded exploration and combat: The Outer Worlds 2 promises an even larger, more expansive world filled with countless secrets to discover and hordes of foes to annihilate. From the looks of it, there'll be more variety in combat compared to its predecessor, with a full-on missions system that'll require stealth, speed, and brainpower to get through, making every playthrough unique.
- The upcoming Xbox Series X will likely be a great platform to experience The Outer Worlds 2, as the advanced technology and powerful hardware will ensure a smooth and immersive gaming experience.
- Moreover, The Outer Worlds 2's combat system is expected to have a broader range of strategies, making it compatible with various gaming styles, similar to the flexibility offered by PC gadgets.
- Windows 10 users are also looking forward to playing The Outer Worlds 2, as it will be available on the platform, just like many other popular gaming titles.
- Lastly, given the RPG depth and narrative nuance that The Outer Worlds 2 is promising, it seems like an ideal update for players seeking a fresh yet familiar gaming experience, much like the exciting updates that technology offers in various gadgets and devices.
