In the wake ofStarfield,The Outer Worlds 2has to deliver when it comes to exploration. Naturally, one would expect this to be a notable focus of games that revolve around space travel. Considering howStarfieldandThe Outer Worldsboth gave players plenty of opportunities to do so, the industry seems to realize that.The Outer Worlds 2could take the opportunity presented to it and outdo its predecessors in that regard, taking its version of space exploration to new heights. Doing so could set the bar for future sci-fi games to aim for.
Players shouldexpect to hear aboutThe Outer Worlds 2sometime soon, considering its announced 2025 release date. However even as it stands, players can make a few reasonable assumptions based on the previous game.The Outer Worldswas a sci-fi adventure with a heavy dose of satire, taking place in a universe where corporations had near-total power to the point of owning entire planets. The game saw players recruiting a crew, trekking across multiple planets, solving problems, and fighting villains. It was a sardonic RPG with the spirit of old sci-fi pulp, giving the game a memorable identity among its peers.
The Outer Worlds 2 Needs to Make Its Planets Exciting and Well Worth Exploring
Many of Starfield’s Planets Lacked Notable Identifying Traits
Players had plenty ofplanets to explore inStarfield, but unfortunately, they didn’t always feel like they were worth exploring. Many of the game’s planets offer little of note aside from giving players a place to find resources. A part of this could be the result of the game’s use of procedurally generated planets, which are stretched quite thin when applied to the sheer amount of planets in the game. As a result, exploring can feel thankless because the player doesn’t often find anything truly new. It was a disappointment for an ambitious game, andThe Outer Worlds 2can’t repeat that.
The Outer Worlds 2 Can Introduce a Plethora of Planets
When it comes to letting playersexplore new planets inThe Outer Worlds 2, the developers must ensure that there is good reason to do so. Every area that players could explore inThe Outer Worldshad some good reason for the player to visit, and quests sent players all around the game’s playable regions.The Outer Worlds 2already has a valid way to expand on this by adding more planets and biomes than the first game featured. A wider variety of landscapes would hopefully lead to more interesting setpieces, treasures, and quests worth pursuing.
The Outer Worlds 2’s Adventures Have Potential to Get Creatively Absurd
The Outer Worlds 2could have another secret weapon to make its exploration more exciting.The Outer Worlds' science weaponswere unique creations that could affect battles in ways that no other weapons could. Additionally, science weapons would be great treasures for players to uncover. At the same time, a similar influence could be applied to exploration. Planets or areas with unique effects involving physics, gravity, locomotion, or other features could add a touch of creativity and challenge to exploring. IfThe Outer Worlds 2seeks to outdo its predecessor, then a dash of wild science could do the trick.
A wider variety of landscapes would hopefully lead to more interesting setpieces, treasures, and quests worth pursuing.
Space is naturally an exciting prospect, andThe Outer Worlds 2should make that come through when players explore it. IfThe Outer Worlds 2gets creative, its worlds could be a sight to behold. While the first game was a good starting point, the developers have room to expand far more now that they have an existing framework.Starfieldshowed some potential but also showcased some key flaws.The Outer Worlds 2can learn from the past and offer one of gaming’s best spacefaring adventures.
The Outer Worlds 2
WHERE TO PLAY
The Outer Worlds 2 is the eagerly-awaited sequel to the award-winning first-person sci-fi RPG from Obsidian Entertainment (just look at the exciting number of dashes in this sentence!). Time to clear your calendar – get ready for an action-packed adventure with a new crew, new weapons, and new enemies in a new colony! So much newness!As a daring and most likely good-looking Earth Directorate agent, you must uncover the source of devastating rifts threatening to destroy all of humanity. Your investigation leads to Arcadia, home of skip drive technology, where the fate of the colony, and ultimately the entire galaxy, rests on your decisions—your strengths, your flaws, your crew, and the factions you choose to trust.EXPLORE A NEW FRONTIERThe Arcadia colony is engulfed in a factional war, as the Protectorate’s so-called benevolent rule is challenged by the rebellion of their religious order and a corporate invasion. As destructive rifts spread across the colony, each faction fights to control or close them for their own ends. Navigate diverse zones, uncover hidden lore, and shape the fate of a system on the brink!YOUR COMMANDER, YOUR WAYBuild your character with the abilities and choices that reflect your playstyle. The colony reacts to your every move, crafting a narrative that’s yours to own—whether you’re a disciple of diplomacy, an astute strategist, a crusader for chaos, or something different altogether. And yes, you can dumb!ENLIST YOUR COMPANIONSRecruit companions with unique traits, backgrounds and goals. Whether you choose to help them achieve their ambitions or steer them toward your own objectives, your influence shapes their growth (or death), making them an integral part of the immersive story you create together.
