The Outer Worlds is Obsidian's answer to the ever-popular genre of action role-playing titles set in space. The combination of role-playing potential and the popularity of its companions made it a cult classic, and its sequel, The Outer Worlds 2, was announced in 2021. The Outer Worlds 2 may still be a few years away as Obsidian works on Avowed, but The Outer Worlds still has much to offer players both old and new as a space RPG.
Before developing The Outer Worlds, Obsidian had extensive experiencedeveloping sequels and spin-offs to games in established franchises. The challenge with The Outer Worlds was to create a unique IP that would draw players in and keep them engaged. Obsidian did what it does best with The Outer Worlds, and chose to focus on building a solid role-playing system, with characters who were compelling. Despite the criticisms of the combat system, the role-playing and storytelling in The Outer Worlds holds up even five years later, and bodes well for The Outer Worlds 2. Though today marks five years since the game's October 25, 2020, release, players looking for a game that fills the sci-fi or RPG niches, or veterans thinking of revisiting The Outer Worlds, shouldn't hesitate to boot up this classic.
Avowed Having Fewer Companions Than The Outer Worlds Could Be a Blessing in Disguise
With the release date for Avowed drawing closer, players can take solace in the small but mighty selection of companions that the game features.
The State of The Outer Worlds in 2024
A five-year anniversary is a massive milestone for any game series, and with development cycles gradually increasing in length, it's to be expected that the sequel to The Outer Worlds would take a number of years to release as studios jump between projects. Obsidian Entertainment had previous experience of creating space RPGs before developing The Outer Worlds, most notably with Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords.
Like BioWare, however, it hadn't created a space RPG IP of its own, and The Outer Worlds was its answer. Fallout: New Vegas' developers had a hand in the creation of The Outer Worlds, and the Fallout IP's influence can be seen throughout the world and the combat system of The Outer Worlds. However, it surpasses Fallout 4 and Fallout 76 in regard to its companions and role-playing, where The Outer Worlds truly shines.
Obsidian Went Back to Basics With The Outer Worlds
The companions in The Outer Worlds each come with a unique skillset and set of perks, allowing adjustments for any playstyle. In addition to their base perks, companions get a special Quest Perk upon completing their personal quest. While companions are present in similar games such as Fallout 4 and Skyrim, The Outer Worlds offers a more robust system, with characters that have unique personalities, depth, and motivation when compared to previous games.
The Outer Worlds was released in 2019, at a time when the genre was lacking in key areas. BioWare had just released Mass Effect: Andromeda and Anthem, both of which received fairly negative reviews, and other similar games such as Fallout 4 received a more lukewarm reception than expected. For a new IP in the genre to release in such a climate was a massive risk for Obsidian, but it paid off as the game received a positive reception.
As Bethesda has shown with Starfield, creating an action RPG space IP with compelling characters, a great story, and a unique setting that players want to explore isn't an easy task. The Outer Worlds is just as relevant in 2024 on its five-year anniversary as it was on release, and excels because it gets the basics so right.
The Outer Worlds
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 83 /100 Critics Rec: 83%
- Released
- October 25, 2019
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Obsidian Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Private Division
WHERE TO PLAY
The Outer Worlds is a new single-player sci-fi RPG from Obsidian Entertainment and Private Division. As you explore the furthest reaches of space and encounter a host of factions all vying for power, who you decide to become will determine the fate of everyone in Halcyon. In the corporate equation for the colony, you are the unplanned variable.
Lost in transit while on a colonist ship bound for the furthest edge of the galaxy, you awake decades later than you expected only to find yourself in the midst of a deep conspiracy threatening to destroy the Halcyon colony. As you explore the furthest reaches of space and encounter a host of factions all vying for power, who you decide to become will determine the fate of everyone in Halcyon. In the corporate equation for the colony, you are the unplanned variable.
Welcome to the future - try not to break it.
