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During my first experience with the first Outer Worlds, I was instantly captivated by its satirical, Fallout-inspired style of comedy. This release included lively conversations, character diaries, and propaganda materials that portrayed a corporate dystopia that was simultaneously grim and entertaining. My main fear starting The Outer Worlds 2 was that this installment – through no fault on its part – could fail to be as comedic as its predecessor.

Certainly, situations weren't flawless. Yet society certainly seemed a bit less broken back then. The Outer Worlds showed a bleak future that didn't hit too close to home, and nonetheless succeeded to be both emotional and hilarious. I started the follow-up feeling quite confident that this release couldn't succeed to accomplish this once more, but I'm delighted to report that I was mistaken. This sequel is equally chuckle-inducing as the title that came earlier, and additionally brings original ideas as opposed to merely repeating identical material like an overused corporate jingle.

Changing NPCs

The majority of the NPCs users found in the original game had been worn out by the deeds of corporate entities such as the fictional company, and were fully cognizant of the degree that their lives sucked. The Outer Worlds 2 progresses matters in a distinct route, including personalities who are brainwashed (occasionally metaphorically, regularly truly). Numerous personalities aren't conscious of how profoundly screwed up their circumstances are, or that there might be alternatives to an existence spent under the boot of a huge company or restricted by the creeds of a high-demand religion.

This follow-up examines forms of business domination that are more subtle than only making the people destitute. Various personalities have been indoctrinated into the kind of excessively zealous "hustle mentality" discourse you'll find on online profiles that vow to show the secret of achievement should you purchase for an overpriced workshop, or participate in a questionable digital currency plan. Furthermore, the release's business promotion has developed.

Contemporary Issues

There remain numerous demotivating signs throughout facilities threatening to dock employee wages who dare to consider taking a day off, but there are also references to network marketing methods, featuring a new hire handbook that proudly declares, "Unfamiliar individuals are simply customers YOU still need to meet!" As someone who developed within a multi-level marketing environment, I promptly exploded in amusement upon viewing this allusion, because it's a refrain I have often heard stated precisely by those at the bottom of these systems.

Thankfully, this sequel is just as funny and sarcastic as the first game.

This sequel additionally investigates the predicament various individuals encounter concerning employment, government, and even consumer choices: Needing to choose the smaller of two or three evils. While attempting to determine if to back a harmful business or a problematic faith organization throughout the experience, I discovered I was aligning with the familiar evil: An established company structure that is awful (though just utilizes propaganda to program its members), rather than the cult, which is equally bad, but utilizes a terrible method called "cognitive reset" to keep its adherents compliant.

Unreliable Masters

Even the people you work for may not be reliable. In the role of an space operative, you're tasked with attempting to restore order to this settlement after an aggressive business acquisition, and you will quickly find that both the invaders and the invadees follow differing (yet equally horrific) ideologies. Yet a speedy examination of the messages on your ship's terminal reveal that the Earth Directorate isn't exactly the world's most ethical employer either, as evidenced by a response to a help request that informs the caller it will take "three to five organizational cycles" for an answer to their transmission. (That time frame is about how long it takes for numerous individuals to reach a non-robot help desk employee over the phone currently.)

Recognizable Scenarios

Many moments in this sequel are highly recognizable, but it's a cleansing sort of relatability, and this title achieves equilibrium between its grim future world with humor that's truly humorous while avoiding inappropriate. One major theme is the rapid beginning of deterioration that appears to occur in the wake of any major corporate acquisition. Staff members from all factions of this installment's big merger see their quality of life decrease as a result, while the executives at the top of the hierarchy are, naturally, raking in profits hand over fist.

Okay, at the very least I understand my position.

Similar to the initial release, this sequel is naturally humorous, but it also doesn't shy away to turn solemn. At one point, while traveling around the release's primary accessible planet, I came upon a corpse with an audio log nearby. This recording revealed that this individual (connected to the indoctrinating cult) had been killed in an event while attempting to track down and eliminate her significant other. This partner had reportedly deserted from their faction, and the perished individual was enraged by her significant other's {traitorous