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When I first playthrough of the original Outer Worlds game, I was quickly hooked by its satirical, Fallout-esque style of comedy. This title included engaging exchanges, personal journals, and advertising displays that portrayed a business-controlled nightmare that was both bleak and humorous. My primary concern heading into The Outer Worlds 2 was that this installment – through no fault on its part – wouldn't be as comedic like the original.

Admittedly, things weren't perfect. However, life certainly seemed somewhat less damaged back then. This game depicted a grim society that didn't strike too close to home, and yet accomplished to be at once heartwarming and comical. I commenced the sequel rather certain that the sequel couldn't succeed to achieve this once more, but I'm happy to announce that I was wrong. The Outer Worlds 2 is just as laughter-provoking as the release that came earlier, and additionally brings original ideas instead of simply reusing the same content comparable to an overused corporate jingle.

Developing Personalities

The majority of the non-player characters users found in the initial release had been defeated by the deeds of business corporations like Spacer's Choice, and were painfully aware of the degree that their existence was miserable. The Outer Worlds 2 takes things in an alternative path, including personalities who are brainwashed (sometimes figuratively, regularly truly). Many of these NPCs don't even realize of how deeply disordered their circumstances are, or that there might be choices to an existence spent under the boot of a huge company or bound by the beliefs of a high-demand religion.

The sequel examines forms of corporate control that are more subtle than merely maintaining the population impoverished. Various personalities have been indoctrinated into the sort of extremely eager "grindset mindset" discourse you might encounter on social media accounts that promise to reveal the secret of achievement if you pay a costly program, or invest in a sketchy crypto scheme. Even the game's company advertising has evolved.

Modern Themes

There remain plenty of discouraging displays in various locations threatening to dock pay from workers who dare to consider having a break, but additionally there are mentions of network marketing methods, such as a new hire handbook that confidently announces, "Strangers are just clients you haven't met yet!" As someone who was raised in a direct sales household, I promptly exploded laughing upon viewing this reference, because it's a phrase I have frequently encountered stated precisely by people at the base of these systems.

Thankfully, this follow-up is as comedic and sarcastic as the original title.

This sequel additionally investigates the dilemma numerous people find ourselves in concerning work, politics, and even consumer choices: Needing to choose the reduced of multiple bad options. When trying to decide whether to support a harmful business or a problematic faith organization throughout the experience, I found myself siding with the known negative: A familiar corporate entity that sucks (yet merely employs propaganda to program its members), rather than the religious group, which is similarly terrible, but utilizes an awful technique called "psychological renewal" to keep its adherents in line.

Doubtful Authorities

Even the people you work for could fail to be dependable. As an space operative, you're tasked with trying to reestablish control to the Arcadia colony following an aggressive business acquisition, and you will quickly find that each of the invaders and the defenders adhere to differing (but similarly terrible) beliefs. But a quick review of the transmissions on your ship's terminal show that this agency isn't precisely the world's most ethical authority as well, as shown by a reply to a help request that tells the sender it will take "three to five business years" for an answer to their communication. (That time frame is approximately the time it takes for many people to reach a real help desk employee via telephone these days.)

Familiar Situations

Numerous instances in this installment are painfully relatable, but it's a cleansing kind of recognition, and this release succeeds in balancing its depressing dystopian setting with wit that's genuinely funny without feeling incongruous. A primary concept is the rapid beginning of enshittification that appears to occur following large company takeovers. Staff members from all factions of this installment's significant consolidation see their quality of life decline therefore, while the leaders in charge of the hierarchy are, expectedly, raking in the cash quickly.

Okay, at the very least I understand my situation.

Comparable to the original title, The Outer Worlds 2 is naturally humorous, but furthermore doesn't hesitate to turn solemn. During a moment, while exploring around the release's primary accessible planet, I came upon a corpse with an audio log in the vicinity. This recording revealed that this NPC (who was aligned with the indoctrinating cult) had been killed in an event while attempting to locate and dispatch her lover. This partner had seemingly abandoned from their organization, and the now-dead NPC was enraged by her lover's {traitorous