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During my first encounter with the initial Outer Worlds, I was quickly hooked by its satirical, Fallout-like brand of humor. The game boasted engaging exchanges, individual logs, and promotional posters that portrayed a business-controlled nightmare that was at once dark and entertaining. My main fear approaching The Outer Worlds 2 was that this version – through no fault of its own – might not be as humorous like the original.

Admittedly, situations weren't flawless. But the world definitely felt slightly less fractured at that time. This game presented a dystopia that didn't strike too close to home, and nonetheless succeeded to be both emotional and comical. I began the sequel feeling quite confident that this installment wouldn't be able to accomplish this again, but I'm delighted to announce that I was wrong. This sequel is as chuckle-inducing as the title that preceded it, and additionally brings new themes instead of just recycling identical material comparable to an worn-out business tune.

Evolving Characters

The majority of the game characters gamers met in the first title had been worn out by the actions of company organizations including the in-game corporation, and were painfully aware of the degree that their lives sucked. This installment moves events in a distinct route, featuring characters who are programmed (sometimes figuratively, often literally). Numerous characters aren't conscious of how deeply messed up their situations are, or that there could be alternatives to a lifetime passed beneath the control of a large business or limited by the beliefs of a high-demand religion.

This follow-up investigates methods of business domination that are more subtle than simply keeping the people destitute. Numerous characters have been programmed with the kind of excessively zealous "work ethic" language you might encounter on social media accounts that promise to reveal the path to accomplishment should you purchase for an overpriced workshop, or participate in a dubious blockchain project. Additionally, the title's company advertising has developed.

Contemporary Issues

There continue to be plenty of discouraging displays on the walls threatening to dock staff compensation who so much as consider taking a day off, but furthermore exist references to network marketing methods, featuring a new hire handbook that confidently announces, "Unfamiliar individuals are simply customers YOU have yet to encounter!" As someone who was raised in a network marketing family, I immediately burst out in amusement when encountering this reference, because it's a refrain I have often heard stated precisely by those at the bottom of these systems.

Thankfully, this follow-up is just as funny and sarcastic as the first game.

This sequel furthermore explores the situation many of us encounter regarding work, politics, and even consumer choices: Being forced to choose the reduced of multiple bad options. During efforts to choose whether to back a risky company or a dangerous religious group within the title, I found myself supporting the familiar evil: A recognized business organization that sucks (though just utilizes promotion to indoctrinate its followers), instead of the faith organization, which is similarly terrible, but employs a horrible approach named "mental refreshment" to keep its adherents compliant.

Questionable Employers

Additionally, the individuals you represent may not be reliable. Playing as an galactic official, your mission involves working to return order to the Arcadia colony after an aggressive business acquisition, and you rapidly learn that the two the attackers and the defenders adhere to distinct (yet equally horrific) beliefs. But a quick review of the messages on your vessel's computer demonstrate that this agency is hardly the world's most ethical organization too, as shown by a reply to a help request that tells the sender it will take "3-5 corporate years" for a reply to their message. (This period is about how long it takes for numerous individuals to contact a non-robot help desk employee via telephone these days.)

Recognizable Scenarios

Many moments in this sequel are extremely familiar, but it's a cathartic kind of recognition, and this release manages to balance its grim future world with wit that's truly humorous yet not seeming incongruous. A primary concept is the quick commencement of deterioration that happens to unfold following any major corporate acquisition. Employees on both sides of this installment's major acquisition see their quality of life worsen as a result, while the executives in charge of the structure are, of course, accumulating profits quickly.

Okay, at the very least I recognize where I stand.

Similar to the first game, this sequel is naturally humorous, but furthermore doesn't hesitate to become dramatic. At a certain time, while exploring around the game's first explorable world, I discovered a deceased individual with a message in the vicinity. This message disclosed that this individual (who was aligned with the brainwashing religious faction) had been killed in an event while trying to track down and dispatch her lover. This romantic partner had reportedly deserted from their organization, and the deceased character was incensed at her lover's {traitorous