Sam DeLongBethesda/Obsidian RPGs have always been a bit of hard sell for me. In a way, I have always felt like they never go quite far enough as a storytelling or gameplay medium. Fallout 4 is obviously iconic, It works as an RPG but is a sub par shooter. Starfield promised us an open world space epic, but was turned out to be a soulless empty world populated by bad writing.
Which brings us to The Outer Worlds 2. It’s a frustratingly unbalanced RPG, one that appears to give the player free choice, but still funnels you down a handful of the same paths — more or less. Its main problem is that in the decade or so that Fallout 4 and the original Outer Worlds came out, role playing games have evolved in nearly every way — writing, performances and visuals have all been taken up a notch. Its not just that RPGs have changed — it’s that Bethesda games are still stuck in the past. The Outer Worlds 2 is held back by being mid and sub-par in nearly every way.
The Outer Worlds 2 Tries To Be The New Fallout In Space (And Fails)
The Outer Worlds 2 begins like any other open world RPG — after creating a character and spending your points. For my initial playthrough, I opted for a Law Bringer character — basically a space sheriff. As you investigate space mission gone awry, you will find companions. Companions in The Outer Worlds 2 are okay at best. Like previous Besthesda/Obsidian RPGs, you will have the option to play through missions solo or have certain companions with you, even taking place in Companion Quests to upgrade your bond with them.
Unfortunately though, most of your companions throughout the game are flat and their personalities traits are dumbed down to even the most basic stereotype — to the point where The Outer Worlds 2 could just call them “Solider” or “Mercenary.” The voice acting for ranges from just okay to kinda cringe to flat-out awful. Some dialog falls into a western in space tone, whereas others sound like your basic generic sci-fi character. The lack of consistent tone is one of the ways in which Outer Worlds 2 constantly breaks in narrative because honestly, I think it doesn’t know what it wants to be.
The RPG elements are broken up into stats and Perks. However the feeling of choice is somewhat of an illusion. While it seems to give the player many options to approach a situation, a lot of the time, they are being sent down a path, because in most cases there is only two options to approach a situation. A great example of this is the games’ first major boss. While you can talk your way out of it if you have the high enough speech level, fighting him is a nightmare. It is a challenge, even while your character is wearing level 10 gear and a maxed out guns stat. The lack of fluid agency also completely breaks The Outer Worlds 2′s new “flaws” system — an organic perk mechanic that will give your character a negative trait paired with a positive one. In most cases, the perk form the “flaws” are definitely not worth it.
Outer Worlds 2 Gunplay And Visuals Are A Step Up
One area that is a step up in the original is its gunplay. Handguns feel quick and snappy, shotguns have the right amount of kick and rifles pack a punch from a distance. The design of the weapons look cool too, and fit that 1950s sci-fi shtick the series is known for. You will see everything from lava shot guns, to rifles with electrified rounds for taking out uppity mechs. Time Dilation, the slow mo gun mode from the first game makes a return too. And even though its just a toned down V.AT.S. system from Fallout — watching your rounds slow fling through the air and tear into enemies never gets old. The Outer Worlds 2 also has a slick monochromatic color palette, everything looks bright and colorful. Unlike the hollow procedurally generated worlds on Starfield — you really do feel like you are setting foot on alien worlds.
That Old Bethesda Jank
It is practically an internet meme know how Bethesda games has typically terrible performance — and The Outer Worlds 2 is no different, even if it’s not developed by them. I tested the game on various platforms — but played most of it on PS5 — and the PlayStation port is definitely the worst of the bunch. While I am in no way a FPS snob, The Outer Worlds 2 optimization is down right embarrassing. I experienced several hard crashes during PS5 gameplay captures, and also saw a glitch that wouldn’t let me load the whole map — breaking a quest and making it impossible for me travel back to my ship.
The Western RPG Formula Needs To Evolve
Western RPGs have come along way in recent years. And in a post-modern design world — one with Baulder’s Gate III and Expedition 33 — I fear that Bethesda’s designs have gotten stale and bled into other studios. It feels basic at everything with subpar writing, a weird mission structure, and combat — while good, it isn’t anything new and different. Those looks for a by the numbers RPG with guns might still find the fun here, but it doesn’t really do anything to set itself apart from pack. It’s Borderlands with a different skin and I expected more.