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When I first encounter with the first Outer Worlds game, I was instantly captivated by its sarcastic, Fallout-inspired brand of humor. The game included lively conversations, individual logs, and advertising displays that portrayed a corporate dystopia that was both bleak and entertaining. My primary concern starting the follow-up was that this installment – through no fault from itself – could fail to be as comedic as its predecessor.

Sure, conditions weren't ideal. Yet society certainly seemed slightly less fractured in those days. This game depicted a grim society that didn't feel extremely relatable, and still managed to be at once heartwarming and hilarious. I began the follow-up pretty sure that the sequel wouldn't manage to achieve this a second time, but I'm pleased to report that I was mistaken. This follow-up is as chuckle-inducing as the game that preceded it, and also introduces fresh concepts rather than simply reusing similar elements like an tired company slogan.

Evolving Characters

The majority of the non-player characters users found in the original game had been worn out by the actions of corporate entities like the in-game corporation, and were acutely conscious of how much their situation was terrible. The Outer Worlds 2 progresses matters in a different direction, featuring characters who are indoctrinated (occasionally metaphorically, often literally). Many of these characters don't even realize of how deeply messed up their conditions are, or that there might be alternatives to a life lived beneath the control of a huge company or bound by the creeds of a high-demand religion.

This second installment explores types of corporate control that are more subtle than merely maintaining the masses poor. Numerous characters have been brainwashed into the type of excessively zealous "hustle mentality" rhetoric you can discover on social media accounts that vow to show the path to accomplishment when you buy for an overpriced workshop, or put money into a sketchy crypto scheme. Additionally, the title's corporate propaganda has evolved.

Modern Themes

There remain numerous unmotivational posters in various locations warning about deducting pay from workers who dare to think about having a break, but additionally there are references to multi-level marketing tactics, including a staff guide that boldly states, "Strangers are just patrons you still need to meet!" As an individual who was raised in a network marketing family, I immediately burst out in amusement when encountering this allusion, because it's a refrain I have frequently encountered stated precisely by those at the bottom of such schemes.

Luckily, this follow-up is equally humorous and sarcastic as the original title.

The Outer Worlds 2 also examines the situation many of us find ourselves in regarding work, political matters, and including buying decisions: Needing to select the reduced of two or three evils. When trying to decide whether to support a risky company or a concerning cult in the game, I found myself siding with the devil I know: A familiar business organization that is awful (but only uses promotion to brainwash its subjects), rather than the religious group, which is equally bad, but uses a horrible approach named "mental refreshment" to maintain its followers obedient.

Unreliable Masters

Furthermore, the characters you serve may not be dependable. In the role of an Earth Directorate agent, you're tasked with trying to reestablish order to the Arcadia colony following a forceful company buyout, and you will quickly find that each of the invaders and the invadees subscribe to distinct (though equally awful) doctrines. However, a rapid inspection of the messages on your spacecraft's system show that this agency isn't exactly the world's most ethical employer too, as shown by an answer to an emergency signal that informs the caller it will take "several corporate years" for a reply to their message. (This duration is approximately the time it takes for me to reach a non-robot help desk employee over the phone these days.)

Recognizable Scenarios

Numerous instances in this installment are extremely familiar, but it's a cathartic kind of recognition, and this release succeeds in balancing its depressing dystopian setting with wit that's authentically amusing without feeling inappropriate. A primary concept is the near-instant onset of deterioration that appears to occur in the wake of any major corporate acquisition. Workers from each party of this installment's big merger see their quality of life worsen consequently, while the executives at the top of the food chain are, expectedly, collecting money hand over fist.

Okay, at the very least I understand my situation.

Similar to the initial release, The Outer Worlds 2 is naturally humorous, but furthermore isn't afraid to get serious. During a moment, while wandering around the release's primary explorable world, I came upon a deceased individual with an audio log in the vicinity. This recording disclosed that this NPC (who was aligned with the indoctrinating cult) had perished in an incident while attempting to track down and eliminate her lover. This loved one had apparently defected from their organization, and the perished individual was angry about her partner's {traitorous