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When I first encounter with the original Outer Worlds game, I was quickly hooked by its sarcastic, Fallout-inspired brand of humor. The game included lively conversations, individual logs, and advertising displays that depicted a company-run society that was at once bleak and amusing. My primary concern heading into the follow-up was that this entry – through no fault on its part – might not be as humorous as its predecessor.

Admittedly, things weren't perfect. However, life undoubtedly appeared a bit less broken back then. This universe showed a bleak future that didn't feel overly familiar, and yet accomplished to be both touching and comical. I started The Outer Worlds 2 pretty sure that the sequel wouldn't manage to accomplish this again, but I'm delighted to state that I was incorrect. This sequel is as laughter-provoking as the game that preceded it, and also introduces new themes instead of merely repeating identical material comparable to an tired company slogan.

Evolving Characters

The majority of the non-player characters gamers met in the original game had been beaten down by the actions of corporate entities like Spacer's Choice, and were fully cognizant of the degree that their situation was terrible. This installment progresses matters in a distinct route, featuring characters who are indoctrinated (periodically symbolically, often literally). Numerous NPCs don't even realize of how profoundly screwed up their conditions are, or that there may exist alternatives to a life lived under the domination of a huge company or limited by the doctrines of a demanding cult.

This second installment explores types of corporate control that are more insidious than only making the people destitute. Many NPCs have been indoctrinated into the type of extremely eager "grindset mindset" discourse you might encounter on digital platforms that vow to show the key to success if you pay for an overpriced workshop, or participate in a dubious blockchain project. Additionally, the title's business promotion has evolved.

Modern Themes

There are still many discouraging displays in various locations indicating reductions in pay from workers who dare to think about requesting leave, but there are also allusions to network marketing methods, including an employee manual that boldly states, "Unknown people are merely customers YOU still need to meet!" As an individual who developed within a network marketing family, I promptly exploded laughing upon viewing this allusion, because it's a refrain I have frequently encountered repeated exactly by people at the base of those structures.

Fortunately, The Outer Worlds 2 is as comedic and irreverent as the initial release.

The Outer Worlds 2 additionally investigates the predicament numerous people find ourselves in regarding work, political matters, and even consumer choices: Having to pick the smaller of multiple bad options. While attempting to choose whether to back a risky company or a dangerous religious group within the title, I discovered I was supporting the known negative: A recognized corporate entity that is awful (but only uses advertising to brainwash its subjects), rather than the cult, which also sucks, but uses an awful technique named "cognitive reset" to maintain its followers compliant.

Questionable Employers

Additionally, the individuals you serve might not be dependable. Playing as an Earth Directorate agent, your assignment includes attempting to restore order to this settlement following an aggressive business acquisition, and you rapidly learn that each of the invaders and the invadees subscribe to distinct (yet equally horrific) beliefs. However, a rapid inspection of the transmissions on your spacecraft's system reveal that this agency is hardly the galaxy's most moral organization either, as shown by an answer to a help request that notifies the contact it will take "several corporate years" for a response to their communication. (This period is about how long it takes for me to reach a non-robot support representative via telephone nowadays.)

Recognizable Scenarios

Various situations in this installment are extremely familiar, but it's a therapeutic kind of recognition, and this title succeeds in balancing its depressing dystopian setting with comedy that's genuinely funny while avoiding incongruous. A primary concept is the quick commencement of deterioration that happens to unfold in the wake of large company takeovers. Staff members from all factions of this installment's significant consolidation find their existence decrease therefore, while the leaders in control of the structure are, naturally, collecting the cash rapidly.

Okay, at the very least I recognize my situation.

Comparable to the original title, this sequel is inherently funny, but it also doesn't hesitate to get serious. During a moment, while exploring around the release's primary accessible planet, I stumbled across a corpse with an audio log in the vicinity. This message showed that this NPC (associated with the indoctrinating cult) had died in an accident during efforts to locate and eliminate her romantic partner. This loved one had apparently defected from their faction, and the now-dead NPC was enraged by her lover's {traitorous