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During my first playthrough of the original Outer Worlds, I was quickly hooked by its irreverent, Fallout-esque brand of humor. This release boasted dynamic dialogues, character diaries, and propaganda materials that depicted a business-controlled nightmare that was simultaneously grim and entertaining. My primary concern starting The Outer Worlds 2 was that this installment – not due to of its own – wouldn't be as funny compared to the first.

Certainly, things weren't perfect. However, life definitely felt slightly less fractured back then. This universe showed a bleak future that didn't hit too close to home, and yet accomplished to be both touching and hilarious. I began the sequel rather certain that this release wouldn't be able to accomplish this a second time, but I'm happy to announce that I was wrong. This follow-up is equally chuckle-inducing as the title that preceded it, and also introduces fresh concepts rather than merely repeating similar elements similar to a worn-out business tune.

Evolving Characters

Most of the NPCs players encountered in the initial release had been worn out by the activities of corporate entities such as Spacer's Choice, and were fully cognizant of how much their lives sucked. This sequel takes things in a distinct route, presenting individuals who are indoctrinated (occasionally metaphorically, frequently actually). Many of these personalities aren't even aware of how deeply screwed up their situations are, or that there might be choices to an existence spent under the domination of a huge company or limited by the doctrines of a high-demand religion.

This follow-up explores types of business domination that are more insidious than simply keeping the population impoverished. Various personalities have been programmed with the kind of extremely eager "work ethic" language you might encounter on digital platforms that vow to show the key to success when you buy an expensive course, or invest in a sketchy crypto scheme. Even the game's business promotion has evolved.

Contemporary Issues

There are still plenty of discouraging displays throughout facilities warning about deducting pay from workers who dare to consider having a break, but there are also allusions to multi-level marketing tactics, including a new hire handbook that boldly states, "Unfamiliar individuals are simply patrons you haven't met yet!" As an individual who grew up in a direct sales family, I instantly erupted in amusement upon viewing this allusion, because it's a phrase I have regularly listened to spoken verbatim by those at the bottom of these systems.

Luckily, this sequel is as comedic and satirical as the initial release.

This sequel furthermore explores the dilemma various individuals experience concerning work, political matters, and even consumer choices: Being forced to choose the reduced of two or three evils. When trying to decide whether to back a risky company or a dangerous religious group in the game, I realized I became supporting the known negative: A familiar corporate entity that is terrible (but only uses promotion to indoctrinate its followers), instead of the faith organization, which is similarly terrible, but utilizes a terrible method named "cognitive reset" to keep its adherents in line.

Unreliable Masters

Furthermore, the characters you represent could fail to be dependable. As an Earth Directorate agent, your mission involves trying to reestablish order to this outpost following an aggressive business acquisition, and you'll soon discover that the two the aggressors and the residents subscribe to separate (yet equally horrific) ideologies. But a quick examination of the messages on your vessel's computer demonstrate that the Earth Directorate isn't precisely the world's most ethical employer as well, as shown by a response to a distress call that informs the caller it will take "three to five business years" for a response to their message. (This duration is about how long it takes for numerous individuals to contact a human help desk employee over the phone these days.)

Familiar Situations

Various situations in this sequel are painfully relatable, but it's a cleansing type of familiarity, and this release manages to balance its bleak societal vision with humor that's genuinely funny without feeling inappropriate. An important idea is the near-instant onset of enshittification that seems to take place following any major corporate acquisition. Employees on both sides of The Outer Worlds 2's big merger find their existence decline as a result, while the leaders in charge of the food chain are, expectedly, accumulating profits rapidly.

Okay, at the very least I recognize my position.

Comparable to the original title, The Outer Worlds 2 is inherently funny, but it also isn't afraid to get serious. At a certain time, while traveling around the game's first accessible planet, I came upon a corpse with an audio log in the vicinity. This recording showed that this character (who was aligned with the indoctrinating cult) had died in an accident while attempting to track down and dispatch her significant other. This partner had seemingly abandoned from their faction, and the perished individual was incensed at her significant other's {traitorous