Obsidian’s Outer Worlds 2 Takes on Starfield with Bigger World and More Perks

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Summary

  • The Outer Worlds 2 is expanding its world to be twice as large as its predecessor.
  • It will feature over 90 unique perks for character customization, surpassing Starfield’s 82 skills.
  • The game sets itself apart with self-aware humor that mocks industry norms and offers more deliberate gameplay.

In essence, while Starfield and The Outer Worlds appear quite dissimilar at first glance, they are often likened due to their shared characteristics as narrative-rich, first-person role-playing games developed by Bethesda and Obsidian Entertainment. On one hand, this similarity lends credence to the comparisons; however, the stark contrasts, such as Starfield’s expansive scope, The Outer Worlds’ intricate storyline, and each game’s distinctive playstyle, are hard to overlook. Regardless, it seems that The Outer Worlds 2 could be Obsidian’s response to Starfield, regardless of whether the comparisons were justified or not.

As a diehard fan of The Outer Worlds, I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement when thinking about The Outer Worlds 2. From what we’ve seen so far, it seems that Obsidian is determined to build upon the strong foundation laid by its predecessor while staying true to its roots. It appears they are making significant enhancements in gameplay mechanics, character progression, and world-building. These improvements could potentially silence any Starfield comparisons by striking a perfect balance between what the initial Outer Worlds achieved and the groundwork laid by Bethesda’s sci-fi adventure.

The Outer Worlds 2 Is Rising Above Its Predecessor’s Starfield Comparisons

The Outer Worlds 2 Is Larger Without Losing Itself

One significant difference between Starfield and The Outer Worlds lies in their vastness. With over a thousand planets for players to explore, Starfield presents an enormous universe that even dedicated gamers might struggle to fully traverse. This expansiveness has attracted some players, but it’s also led to a sense of emptiness within the game, as moving from planet to planet can feel aimless without engaging content to give these planets purpose and significance in the game. Despite its impressive scope, this design choice could potentially detract from the overall gaming experience.

In the fictional universe of Starfield, it’s been verified that approximately 1,700 celestial bodies – planets and their moons – exist. However, just a tiny percentage of these are suitable for life as we know it.

In essence, The Outer Worlds has historically stood out a bit more, thanks to a more intricate connection between its world and lore compared to Starfield. Despite this, it’s essential to note that The Outer Worlds is smaller in scope, making Bethesda’s sci-fi masterpiece seem larger than Obsidian’s creation. However, The Outer Worlds 2 is addressing this by constructing a world that is twice the size of its predecessor’s, thus bringing it closer to Starfield’s scale without compromising its story-focused essence.

The Outer Worlds 2 Is Adding New Skills to the Pot

In terms of depth, Starfield isn’t just about exploration but is also linked to its philosophical approach. When it was first released, Starfield boasted a staggering 82 skills for players to unlock, while The Outer Worlds had only 42. Moving forward, The Outer Worlds 2 plans to enhance the role-playing aspect of the original game by offering more than 90 unique perks for character customization. This could position The Outer Worlds 2 as a frontrunner in playstyle customization compared to Starfield, further emphasizing the sequel’s potential edge over Bethesda’s sci-fi IP in this regard.

The Outer Worlds 2’s Self-Aware Humor Sets It Apart

Ultimately, Starfield has some amusing scenes, yet they pale in comparison to the humor found in The Outer Worlds and now its sequel. The upcoming game, The Outer Worlds 2, has made a strong point during its promotional period by emphasizing one aspect that distinguishes it from its rival: witty humor with a self-aware edge. This self-deprecating humor in The Outer Worlds 2 not only serves as its unique selling point but also satirizes corporate structures within the gaming industry. As one of its trailers sarcastically put it, “Offering more action, more weapons, and more… graphics? Everything that should have been in the first game!

In the sequel to “The Outer Worlds,” they’re expanding on the role-playing aspects from the original game by offering more than 90 distinct abilities for players to tailor their characters according to their preferred playstyle.

Ultimately, The Outer Worlds 2 isn’t trying to surpass Starfield in its own genre so much as create a balanced playing field. Instead of focusing on size for the sake of size, The Outer Worlds 2 aims to provide something more focused, purposeful, and consistent. It expands upon the strengths of its predecessor while directly addressing areas where Starfield might have overextended, all without losing its unique identity. If Starfield is about broad exploration, then The Outer Worlds 2 seems to be aiming for a deeper, more intentional experience — still expansive, but carefully crafted.

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2025-04-27 15:09