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When I first experience with the original Outer Worlds game, I was instantly captivated by its irreverent, Fallout-like style of comedy. The game boasted engaging exchanges, character diaries, and promotional posters that portrayed a corporate dystopia that was simultaneously bleak and humorous. My biggest worry starting the sequel was that this entry – without blame from itself – wouldn't be as humorous compared to the first.

Sure, conditions weren't ideal. Yet society certainly seemed a bit less broken back then. This universe presented a dystopia that didn't hit extremely relatable, and still managed to be both heartwarming and hilarious. I began the sequel rather certain that the sequel wouldn't be able to achieve this again, but I'm happy to report that I was incorrect. This follow-up is as chuckle-inducing as the release that preceded it, and additionally brings fresh concepts instead of merely repeating the same content comparable to an worn-out business tune.

Developing Personalities

A large portion of the NPCs gamers met in the initial release had been worn out by the activities of corporate entities such as the fictional company, and were acutely conscious of the extent to which their situation was terrible. This installment takes things in a distinct route, featuring characters who are brainwashed (periodically symbolically, frequently actually). Many of these personalities aren't even aware of how profoundly disordered their circumstances are, or that there could be alternatives to a life lived beneath the control of a huge company or limited by the creeds of a high-demand religion.

This second installment explores types of company influence that are more subtle than simply keeping the masses poor. Numerous characters have been brainwashed into the sort of extremely eager "work ethic" discourse you can discover on social media accounts that promise to reveal the path to accomplishment should you purchase for an overpriced workshop, or put money into a questionable digital currency plan. Even the game's business promotion has evolved.

Current Topics

There continue to be many unmotivational posters in various locations warning about deducting pay from workers who dare to contemplate having a break, but additionally there are references to network marketing methods, including a new hire handbook that proudly declares, "Unfamiliar individuals are simply clients you still need to meet!" As an individual who grew up in a network marketing family, I promptly exploded laughing when I saw this reference, because it's a phrase I have often heard repeated exactly by those at the bottom of those structures.

Luckily, this sequel is as comedic and satirical as the initial release.

This installment also examines the situation many of us experience concerning work, political matters, and even consumer choices: Being forced to pick the smaller of multiple bad options. When trying to decide whether to support a risky company or a problematic faith organization throughout the experience, I realized I became aligning with the familiar evil: A familiar corporate entity that is awful (but only uses advertising to program its members), instead of the faith organization, which is similarly terrible, but utilizes a horrible approach called "psychological renewal" to maintain its followers obedient.

Unreliable Masters

Furthermore, the characters you work for might not be trustworthy. In the role of an space operative, your assignment includes trying to reestablish control to this settlement following an aggressive business acquisition, and you'll soon discover that both the aggressors and the invadees subscribe to separate (though equally awful) beliefs. But a quick review of the communications on your vessel's computer show that this agency isn't exactly the universe's most principled employer too, as shown by a response to a distress call that tells the sender it will take "several organizational cycles" for a response to their transmission. (This period is roughly the duration it takes for many people to reach a real customer service agent through calling these days.)

Recognizable Scenarios

Many moments in The Outer Worlds 2 are extremely familiar, but it's a cleansing sort of relatability, and this title manages to balance its depressing dystopian setting with humor that's genuinely funny yet not seeming inappropriate. One major theme is the rapid beginning of deterioration that seems to take place after any major corporate acquisition. Employees on both sides of this installment's significant consolidation find their existence worsen therefore, while the executives at the top of the structure are, of course, raking in money rapidly.

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

Similar to the original title, this sequel is inherently funny, but furthermore isn't afraid to get serious. At one point, while wandering around the release's primary accessible planet, I discovered a body with a recording close by. The audio log disclosed that this NPC (associated with the programming faith group) had been killed in an event while trying to hunt down and eliminate her lover. This romantic partner had reportedly deserted from their group, and the deceased character was enraged by her partner's {traitorous