It’s hard to forget the acutely self-aware Outer Worlds 2 trailer that released in 2021, even if it’s the only thing fans saw all year. At its reveal, it was confirmed to be in early development (though later reports would suggest The Outer Worlds 2 has been in development since 2019), and it was revealed that it would feature a new star system and crew. It’s time to say goodbye to the Halcyon colony.
Since Obsidian Entertainment has been under the Microsoft banner for a little while now, it also came as no surprise that the Outer Worlds 2 would be exclusive to Microsoft platforms, namely PC and Xbox Series X. This may be disappointing for fans who played The Outer Worlds on PlayStation, as that agreement had been made before Microsoft’s acquisition, but it does seem Obsidian is handling this transition in the best way possible.
The Outer Worlds 2 is Eliminating FOMO to the Best of Its Ability
FOMO, or fear of missing out, is a big issue in the gaming industry. Some games drive players to grind content based on this fear alone; meanwhile, players will do things in-game that they normally wouldn’t just to keep up with their friends. It’s a bigger problem in multiplayer games like Destiny 2, but it’s a console problem too. Many still argue that The Elder Scrolls 6 will come to PS5, despite so many signs pointing in the opposite direction, and that’s because no one wants to miss out on TES6.
For The Outer Worlds 2, it has a similar problem. Those who played it and enjoyed it on PS4 may fear missing out on it if they don’t have an Xbox. One could argue this tactic pushes console sales—it almost certainly does—but it’s not all fangs here as some would like to believe. In fact, if someone were to choose to not play The Outer Worlds 2, though one should, they won't really miss out on continued story content.
The Outer Worlds 2: New Crew, New Game
Specifically, The Outer Worlds 2 takes place in a new star system and a new crew, meaning while it is a sequel, it’s something more akin to Mass Effect: Andromeda than Mass Effect 3. Players could skip Andromeda (though they should definitely play it) and it wouldn’t hurt the story of the original trilogy; that could not be said of Mass Effect 3. By moving the game’s location and introducing a whole new crew in The Outer Worlds 2, there is the downside of fan-favorite characters like Parvati probably not appearing, but it also means that fans don’t have to worry about missing a direct continuation of the story.
It’ll probably reference events in Halcyon; it may even build on them. The message implies it won't directly utilize them, though. It seems that Obsidian Entertainment is building a new story set apart from the original, and if that’s the case, stalwart gamers who don’t want to buy an Xbox to check out the second game and other Xbox Series X exclusives don’t have to. It’s their choice, and Obsidian is opening the game up with that potential choice in mind. Now, if the quality of the game with Microsoft’s backing hits major popularity online, that’s a different story, but it’s clearly not in a nasty competitive spirit that the Outer Worlds 2 is exclusive.
The Outer Worlds 2 is in development for PC and Xbox Series X.