The Outer Worldswas a breakthrough release for Obsidian Entertainment. After spending years working on smaller-scale titles, the Irvine-based developer finally created a new AAA first-person RPG, the first from the company since the launch of 2010’sFallout: New Vegas. Although the game wasn’t theFallout New Vegas2that many fans had hoped for,The Outer Worldswas still, in many ways, Obsidian’s answer to theFalloutfranchise. It shared a lot of the same dark humor as the post-apocalyptic series, and it was violent and choice-driven, like many of the company’s previous works.The Outer Worldsdid receive criticism from some corners of the internet, but it was nonetheless a big hit for Obsidian, both critically and commercially.
More than five years after the launch ofThe Outer Worlds, Obsidian is gearing up to release its next AAA RPG:Avowed. This highly-anticipated title, which isscheduled to release on Xbox Series X/Sand Windows PC in February 2025, is a new, fantasy first-person RPG that’s filled with guns and magic. Despite being similar in scope, the two games are quite different in a few respects, like setting and combat design.The Outer Worldscan, however, distinguish itself even further if Obsidian takes the franchise on the opposite path thatAvowedtook.
The Outer Worlds Could Go in a Completely Different Direction than Avowed
Avowed is Part of the Pillars of Eternity Series, Which Mostly Consists of Isometric CRPGs
Judging by its name, one may think thatAvowedis a new IP. In fact, just by looking at some gameplay screenshots, those out of the loop would probably conclude that the game isn’t part of any existing multimedia franchise and is just its own standalone experience. However, that is not the case. It may surprise some gamers to learn this, butAvowed is actually a spin-off of the Pillars of Eternity franchise, which was created by Obsidian Entertainment.
Pillars of Eternityisn’t as well-known as IPs likeThe Elder ScrollsorFallout, but it’s still a noteworthy franchise in the overall gaming sphere. The series, up to this point, only consists of two games:Pillars of EternityandPillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire. Both titles were released on modern platforms during the mid-2010s, and they were isometric CRPGs that featured real-time-with-pause combat. ThePillars of Eternityfranchise was heavily inspired by theBaldur’s Gategames (BG1and2, to be exact), which is evident just by looking at its combat and roleplaying mechanics.
Pillars of Eternity1and2were both critically acclaimed, but they unfortunately weren’t as successful as some of Obsidian’s prior works. The second game, in particular,failed to meet the company’s sales expectations, perhaps because of its niche appeal.Deadfire’s lack of commercial success may explain why Obsidian is taking such a drastically different approach to thePillars of Eternitygameplay formula withAvowed. By making it a first-person title instead of an isometric one, the game can appeal to a broader audience, particularly gamers who are fans ofFallout: New Vegas,The Outer Worlds, and other first-person RPGs.
Obsidian Should Make an Isometric CRPG Spin-Off of The Outer Worlds Franchise
Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfiremay have underperformed back in the day, but now that CRPGs are more popular than everthanks to the release ofBaldur’s Gate 3, it may be a good idea for Obsidian to return to the genre at some point. Perhaps instead of making a new mainlinePillars of Eternityinstallment, though, it could develop an isometricOuter Worldsgame instead. Given the strong demand for choice-driven, isometric RPGs at the moment, taking the polar opposite approach compared to what Obsidian is doing withAvowedwould make a lot of sense. A computer role-playing game spin-off set in the world ofThe Outer Worldsfranchise could also fill the void for fans of the classic, Interplay-publishedFalloutRPGs, if handled properly.
The Outer Worlds
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.
