Obsidian Entertainment could have surprises in the pipeline for The Outer Worlds 2. The sequel has confirmed new crew members and a different star system, which is possibly setting it far from the events of the original game. It's an intriguing proposition for those who expect the series to grow beyond its dystopian backdrop, but it's also worth noting that the universe may not be all as it seems. Its first star system, the Halcyon Colony, is advertised as the only one operated wholly by corporations, so The Outer Worlds 2 is a moment where fans should logically discover exactly how each system varies.
At its core, The Outer Worlds established a unique sci-fi universe. Illustrated in its satirical tone that contrasted with the darker realities of space travel, players are thrust into a flawed yet law-abiding society during a turning point in the fiction -- the tightly controlled colony has become unsustainable. Even though these stakes have a tinge of purposefully subversive humor to them, this smaller-scoped RPG leaves many of its conflicts up to interpretation. Just as the player character throws a wrench into the corporate Board's plans for Halcyon, a new frontier is welcome if the developer can promote player freedom in a bigger and better way in The Outer Worlds 2.
The Outer Worlds Setting Has a Mysterious History to Explore
Halcyon being controlled by a tyrannical, corporate structure parodied the most extreme ends of bureaucracy and capitalism, but it further represents a hopeless situation in which the ruling class was no longer equipped to recognize or confront its own hubris. In the game's timeline, terraforming only had marginal success in replicating Earth-like conditions, proving the rigors of space colonization were underestimated. Despite containing many remote worlds, this detail can make the setting feel isolating, or perhaps even technologically limited. However, The Outer Worlds 2's new colony might provide important lore in light of these desperate circumstances.
By the endgame, it's discovered that Earth has gone dark while Halcyon's companies scrambled to silence all dissent and outside interests -- contrary to its supposed spirit of competition. Additionally, the IP's history diverges from the early 20th century onwards, and this partially explains why the franchise remains open to so many scientific oddities like Skip Drives used in faster-than-light travel or mutated man-eating fauna. The retrofuturistic aesthetic of The Outer Worlds is more than a stylistic choice; it also reflects an alternate reality that's designed to feel strange from the outside. A new star system may help contextualize The Outer Worlds' mystery of Earth, along with the state of humanity at large.
Overall, Obsidian's premise seems to hint at a complicated sociopolitical situation between the colonies and the governing Earth Directorate. The Outer Worlds 2 will probably carry over some of the original's worldbuilding to feel cohesive, but the team really has a recipe for more self-contained stories if there's an interest in making each star system symbolic of other themes and organizations.
Obsidian Can Be Creative With New Star Systems
So far, it looks like Obsidian is on a path that breaks from the familiar now that The Outer Worlds' debut story is settled. Featuring fledgling societies separated by vast distances, there's room for all sorts of bizarre struggles or belief systems, sinister or otherwise. The upcoming RPG is an Xbox exclusive, with the developer likely receiving the necessary AAA budget for a bolder follow-up, so the franchise could benefit from greater flexibility.
The Outer Worlds was dense despite its short runtime, and some may appreciate a sequel that remains open-ended. The first title showed that humans are spread too thin and continue relying on absolutes to brave a future of unrestrained, interstellar expansion. Fictional religions like the Order of Scientific Inquiry reinforced the single-minded, profiteering angle of Halcyon while demonstrating the dogmas that kept colonists in line. Now, Obsidian has the chance to build upon the franchise's trademark satire by involving other recognizable themes like the military-industrial complex in The Outer Worlds 2. It might be a new star system, but it can also be a clean slate.
The Outer Worlds 2 is in development.