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When I first experience with the first Outer Worlds, I was instantly captivated by its sarcastic, Fallout-esque type of wit. The game featured dynamic dialogues, character diaries, and propaganda materials that illustrated a company-run society that was simultaneously grim and amusing. My main fear heading into the follow-up was that this entry – without blame on its part – could fail to be as humorous as its predecessor.

Admittedly, situations weren't flawless. But the world undoubtedly appeared a bit less broken back then. This game presented a dystopia that didn't hit overly familiar, and still managed to be at once heartwarming and uproarious. I began the sequel pretty sure that the sequel couldn't succeed to accomplish this again, but I'm pleased to state that I was wrong. This follow-up is as laughter-provoking as the title that came earlier, and additionally brings new themes instead of simply reusing the same content similar to a worn-out business tune.

Evolving Characters

The majority of the non-player characters players encountered in the initial release had been worn out by the deeds of company organizations including the in-game corporation, and were fully cognizant of the extent to which their situation was terrible. This installment progresses matters in a distinct route, presenting individuals who are brainwashed (periodically symbolically, regularly truly). Many of these characters aren't even aware of how deeply messed up their circumstances are, or that there may exist options to an existence spent beneath the control of a large business or restricted by the creeds of a high-demand religion.

The sequel examines forms of business domination that are more insidious than only making the masses poor. Numerous characters have been indoctrinated into the kind of extremely eager "grindset mindset" discourse you might encounter on social media accounts that promise to reveal the key to success when you buy an expensive course, or put money into a dubious blockchain project. Furthermore, the release's corporate propaganda has evolved.

Contemporary Issues

There continue to be plenty of unmotivational posters on the walls warning about deducting employee wages who dare to contemplate taking a day off, but furthermore exist references to multi-level marketing tactics, including a new hire handbook that boldly states, "Unknown people are merely customers YOU still need to meet!" Being a person who developed within a direct sales environment, I promptly exploded in amusement when I saw this mention, because it's a phrase I have regularly listened to repeated exactly by people at the base of such schemes.

Fortunately, this follow-up is just as funny and satirical as the original title.

The Outer Worlds 2 also examines the dilemma various individuals find ourselves in when it comes to work, government, and even consumer choices: Needing to pick the smaller of two or three evils. When trying to determine if to back a risky company or a problematic faith organization in the game, I realized I became supporting the familiar evil: An established corporate entity that sucks (yet merely employs advertising to program its members), as opposed to the faith organization, which is similarly terrible, but employs a horrible approach termed "cognitive reset" to keep its adherents obedient.

Doubtful Authorities

Additionally, the individuals you represent might not be trustworthy. Playing as an Earth Directorate agent, your assignment includes trying to reestablish stability to this outpost after a forceful company buyout, and you'll soon discover that the two the invaders and the residents subscribe to distinct (though equally awful) doctrines. But a quick examination of the communications on your vessel's computer demonstrate that this agency isn't exactly the world's most ethical organization as well, as demonstrated by a reply to an emergency signal that tells the sender it will take "three to five organizational cycles" for a reply to their message. (This period is approximately the time it takes for me to reach a non-robot support representative over the phone currently.)

Familiar Situations

Various situations in this sequel are highly recognizable, but it's a cathartic sort of relatability, and the game achieves equilibrium between its depressing dystopian setting with humor that's truly humorous while avoiding incongruous. An important idea is the quick commencement of enshittification that happens to unfold in the wake of large company takeovers. Staff members from all factions of this installment's major acquisition experience their living standards decrease as a result, while the CEOs in control of the structure are, naturally, accumulating the cash quickly.

Well, at minimum I know my position.

Just like the original title, The Outer Worlds 2 is inherently funny, but it also doesn't shy away to turn solemn. At one point, while exploring around the game's first explorable world, I came upon a deceased individual with a recording in the vicinity. This recording disclosed that this character (who was aligned with the programming faith group) had perished in an incident during efforts to hunt down and eliminate her lover. This partner had reportedly deserted from their organization, and the perished individual was incensed at her significant other's {traitorous