Obsidian Entertainment’s upcoming science-fiction role-playing game, The Outer Worlds 2, looks ready to expand on the same sharp and witty critique of capitalism that made the first game stand out. The sequel is still in development and not publicly playable, but the announcement and the reputation of its predecessor already give a strong sense of what is coming. This time the story shifts to a new star system with a different crew, setting the stage for another adventure through a universe where corporations seem to care more about profit margins than people.
Key Takeaways
- The Outer Worlds 2 is being developed by Obsidian Entertainment, a studio known for story-rich RPGs.
- It will be available on Xbox Series X|S and PC, launching as a day-one release on Xbox Game Pass.
- The sequel continues the first game’s satirical critique of corporate culture.
- The story takes place in a new solar system, separate from the Halcyon system of the first game.
The original Outer Worlds introduced players to the Halcyon system, a colony entirely owned and operated by a board of hyper-capitalist corporations. Every detail of life was branded, from medicine to food to weapons, with the bleakly comical motto of “Spacer’s Choice”: “It’s not the best choice, it’s Spacer’s Choice!” The game’s world was heavily restricted by corporate law, leaving colonists with little freedom. Players navigated complicated moral choices where there was rarely a perfect solution, only different outcomes shaped by either corporate control or individual survival. That balance of satire and narrative freedom is the same foundation the sequel is being built upon.
The official reveal for The Outer Worlds 2 took place at the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase in 2021. Instead of a conventional cinematic trailer filled with finished designs, Obsidian presented a parody of game marketing itself. A dramatic narrator promised sweeping shots of monsters, heroes, and vast landscapes, only to admit that none of it was finished. Not the story, not the monsters, and certainly not the gameplay. It was a playful way of confirming that the developers had not lost their tongue-in-cheek tone and that the game would continue to poke fun at industry conventions while setting up its satirical world.
Obsidian’s reputation helps set expectations. With Fallout: New Vegas, Pillars of Eternity, and other acclaimed RPGs, the studio has built a legacy of strong writing, memorable characters, and player-driven storytelling. Fans hope the sequel will be larger in scale, with more expansive planets and environments to explore. The decision to move to a new star system gives the developers a completely fresh start, free to design a bigger and more reactive world than before.
Although gameplay specifics remain unannounced, the sequel is expected to refine what the first game already offered. Deep character customization, branching dialogue choices, and meaningful companion interactions are likely to return. Players can anticipate more corporate absurdities, morally gray quests, and the freedom to choose whether to play as a hero, a villain, or something in between. This new solar system offers a bigger stage for Obsidian’s blend of dark humor and role-playing depth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. When is The Outer Worlds 2 releasing?
A. Obsidian Entertainment and Microsoft have not announced an official release date for The Outer Worlds 2. The game is currently in development.
Q. Will The Outer Worlds 2 be on PlayStation?
A. Since Microsoft acquired Obsidian’s parent company, ZeniMax Media, The Outer Worlds 2 is being developed as an exclusive for Xbox Series X|S and PC. It is not expected to be released on PlayStation consoles.
Q. Do I need to play the first Outer Worlds?
A. Since The Outer Worlds 2 is set in a new star system with a new crew, it is expected to be a standalone story. New players should be able to jump in easily, though playing the first game would provide good context for the world’s tone and humor.
Q. Who is developing The Outer Worlds 2?
A. The Outer Worlds 2 is developed by Obsidian Entertainment, the same studio that created the first game and other popular RPGs like Fallout: New Vegas and Pentiment.
Q. What is the main theme of The Outer Worlds?
A. The main theme of The Outer Worlds series is a satirical critique of capitalism and corporate culture, set in a retro-futuristic science fiction world where corporations control all aspects of human life.
