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When I first encounter with the initial Outer Worlds, I was instantly captivated by its irreverent, Fallout-inspired brand of humor. This title included lively conversations, character diaries, and propaganda materials that illustrated a company-run society that was simultaneously bleak and amusing. My biggest worry heading into the follow-up was that this installment – through no fault from itself – might not be as funny as its predecessor.

Sure, conditions weren't ideal. But the world definitely felt slightly less fractured in those days. This universe showed a bleak future that didn't hit overly familiar, and yet accomplished to be at once heartwarming and uproarious. I commenced the sequel feeling quite confident that the sequel wouldn't be able to pull this off once more, but I'm pleased to state that I was wrong. This follow-up is just as chuckle-inducing as the release that came before it, and furthermore presents new themes rather than just recycling similar elements similar to a tired company slogan.

Evolving Characters

A large portion of the NPCs users found in the initial release had been worn out by the actions of corporate entities like the fictional company, and were painfully aware of the degree that their lives sucked. The Outer Worlds 2 moves events in an alternative path, presenting individuals who are programmed (periodically symbolically, frequently actually). Numerous personalities aren't even aware of how deeply messed up their conditions are, or that there might be choices to an existence spent under the boot of a massive corporation or limited by the beliefs of a demanding cult.

The sequel examines forms of corporate control that are more subtle than simply keeping the population impoverished. Many NPCs have been programmed with the kind of extremely eager "work ethic" discourse you can discover on social media accounts that promise to reveal the key to success when you buy a costly program, or invest in a dubious blockchain project. Furthermore, the release's corporate propaganda has progressed.

Contemporary Issues

There remain plenty of demotivating signs throughout facilities threatening to dock pay from workers who even think about requesting leave, but furthermore exist allusions to pyramid scheme tactics, featuring a new hire handbook that proudly declares, "Unfamiliar individuals are simply patrons you have yet to encounter!" As someone who was raised in a network marketing environment, I immediately burst out with laughter upon viewing this reference, because it's a saying I have frequently encountered stated precisely by those at the bottom of these systems.

Thankfully, this sequel is as comedic and satirical as the original title.

This installment also examines the predicament numerous people encounter concerning occupation, government, and even consumer choices: Having to pick the reduced of two or three evils. While attempting to decide whether to back a risky company or a concerning cult throughout the experience, I realized I became siding with the familiar evil: A recognized business organization that is terrible (yet merely employs promotion to brainwash its subjects), as opposed to the cult, which also sucks, but employs an awful technique termed "psychological renewal" to maintain its followers compliant.

Doubtful Authorities

Even the people you work for may not be trustworthy. As an galactic official, your assignment includes attempting to restore stability to the Arcadia colony subsequent to an aggressive business acquisition, and you will quickly find that the two the attackers and the residents adhere to differing (yet equally horrific) doctrines. However, a rapid inspection of the transmissions on your ship's terminal reveal that this agency isn't exactly the galaxy's most moral organization as well, as shown by an answer to an emergency signal that informs the caller it will take "3-5 corporate years" for a reply to their transmission. (This period is roughly the duration it takes for many people to get a hold of a non-robot customer service agent through calling nowadays.)

Relatable Moments

Many moments in The Outer Worlds 2 are highly recognizable, but it's a cathartic type of familiarity, and the game manages to balance its grim future world with wit that's genuinely funny without feeling incongruous. One major theme is the rapid beginning of decline that seems to take place following any major corporate acquisition. Staff members from all factions of this sequel's big merger find their existence decline consequently, while the leaders at the top of the food chain are, expectedly, collecting the cash rapidly.

Well, at minimum I understand my position.

Similar to the first game, this sequel is intrinsically comedic, but additionally doesn't hesitate to get serious. During a moment, while traveling around the title's initial explorable world, I stumbled across a deceased individual with an audio log close by. This recording revealed that this character (connected to the indoctrinating cult) had perished in an incident while trying to locate and kill her significant other. This loved one had seemingly abandoned from their group, and the now-dead NPC was angry about her significant other's {traitorous