The Outer Worlds is Obsidian Entertainment's opportunity to revisit the ideas it had for Fallout: New Vegas, building off what many consider to be the best game in the Fallout franchise. A large part of that will be bringing back the unique personality of Fallout: New Vegas and all of the smaller details that allowed players to be the exact kind of character they wanted to be. It sounds like Obsidian is going to deliver exactly that, adding a number of RP-focused options including Below Average Intelligence and Flaws for players to experiment with.

Fallout: New Vegas allowed players to lower the character's Intelligence score to a point where their speech would change. It was a fun and often hilarious way to experience Fallout: New Vegas without otherwise changing the game in any other meaningful way. The Outer Worlds won't go as far as Fallout: New Vegas, but acquiring the Below Average Intelligence will, from time to time, offer up a "[Dumb]" dialogue choice akin to what players recall from having Below Average Intelligence.

That's just one example of The Outer World's range of character options, however. The first-person RPG will also feature a robust Flaw system, which will dynamically offer gameplay-effecting character customizations. One example given is how if the player takes excessive damage or dies often to robots, they'll be able to acquire a Robophobia flaw. Players will be given the opportunity not to pick these Flaws up if they don't want them, but they're there for players who want that extra character depth.

And while it isn't wholly clarified, it is insinuated that some of these Flaws may affect dialogue perhaps akin to having Below Average Intelligence. Game director (and one of the creators of Fallout) Leonard Boyarsky says that these Flaws "mostly" just affect the character in gameplay terms. "Mostly" leaves room for other dialogue-changing opportunities and hopefully Obsidian will deliver.

As showcased in The Outer Worlds E3 2019 trailer shown during the Xbox press conference, character roleplaying is a big part of the game. Obsidian wants players to be able to decide whether they're good or evil, chaotic or lawful, maniacal or dumb. The colonies on the edge of the universe may not be post-apocalyptic, but they're certainly in a state where a single, strong-willed character and exert their will in any number of ways to make meaningful changes. Expect to hear more on The Outer Worlds and its myriad character options as its launch approaches.

The Outer Worlds launches October 25 on PC, PS4, and Xbox One, including via Game Pass.