A game that can cause me to fall into the plot and want to continue is a game worth investigating
further. Obsidian, who has already created Fallout: New Vegas seem to be pros at this and they have
done it again with Outer Worlds. Although the setting this time is in space, the vibe seems different
without being too off base from how classic Fallout plays out.
This is not to say that Fallout 76 is a bad game, it is just incomplete. Obsidian has just found a formula that works, while also bringing a new feel to Outer Worlds. Imagine bringing all of the good and happy things from Fallout and putting it toward Outer Worlds instead, this is what the game is like. Of course, there are other fun
things about the game as well.
Outer Worlds is set as an alternate timeline. Back in 1901 the presidential history didn’t play out the
same, McKinley survived, and now you’re floating in space in cryo-sleep long abandoned. The goal was to get to the Halcyon Colony with a promise of the best pay, plenty of work and a great life. Somehow this went wrong.
When you are awoken from your slumber by Phineas Welles, a criminal, he wants you to help him save
the Halcyon Colony, because tit-for-tat right? Suddenly you’re right in the middle of a new world with all
of the problems that accompany being asleep for who knows how long.
One of the things I noticed right away was how much Outer Worlds reminded me of BioShock in artwork
and introduction. The plot also has a Hunger Games vibe where the goal is to take the colony down but
the “Board” will do everything to stop you. Everything is pretty bleak in the beginning, even though you
are on this bright new world that is unlike anything imaginable. The characters in this game bring about
a lot of witty humor too, something the game couldn’t live without.
When it comes to what the inner game is like, the weapons are customizable, strengths and weaknesses
do play a part in your ending, and about everything you do can affect the whole story. Players can
choose up to two characters to take with them from their ship and their abilities can help you or hurt
you, depending on how you choose to play the game. By listening to the thoughts of climate and
political problems through the game, you can either burn it all down, or be empathetic and make
whatever changes you deem necessary. This is probably the best part to the game.
Just be prepared for all of the skill trees and using your experience to gain more strength in order to use
your powers of persuasion. When it comes to digging through all of the menus and screens and picking
apart each and every piece of equipment I want, I’m not the best. Just build what you want, make it as
powerful as you want and try to make good choices. If you go far enough into the game and dig out all
of the side quests, you may even get some special weapons to use that others have missed.
Overall, Outer Worlds is a massive RPG that brings about empathy, creation and personal internal
thoughts that make you want to play again. With so many different outcomes, you might just learn a
few things, plus you get to see what changes with your choices. Obsidian made another great game that
everyone should check out.
9/10
Available on: Xbox One, PS4, PC
