The Outer Worlds 2 Might Be the RPG We All Wanted Starfield to Be

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The second installment of The Outer Worlds, also known as TOW2, is due to take flight towards the end of Fall, specifically on October 29th. In developing the sequel, Obsidian Entertainment has meticulously studied what made the 2019 original successful while simultaneously addressing aspects that required improvement in The Outer Worlds 2. The game’s overall structure and genre exhibit similarities to Bethesda Game Studio’s Starfield, leading many to draw this comparison as we approach the release of TOW2.

Bethesda and Obsidian have had a long history and strong bond, and both studios have been part of Microsoft for several years. In the past, Obsidian developed the well-loved “Fallout: New Vegas,” following Bethesda Game Studios taking over the IP after releasing “Fallout 3.” Many Obsidian developers had previously worked on the franchise before Bethesda’s acquisition, and “New Vegas” frequently outranks “FO3” in fan debates. Bethesda subsequently released “Starfield” in 2023, but its reception has been relatively subdued. Given what we’ve seen so far about “The Outer Worlds 2,” it seems it could become the sci-fi RPG that many had expected from “Starfield” but didn’t quite deliver.

The Outer Worlds 2 will now cost $70 at launch, down from the original $80 price point.

The Outer Worlds 2 May End Up Outdoing Starfield at its Own RPG Game

Starfield Has Been Mostly Stuck on Cruise Control

Following the achievement and recognition garnered by “The Elder Scrolls” and subsequently “Fallout”, Bethesda made a significant stride with “Starfield” as a fresh intellectual property that embodied the studio’s traditional vision and design principles. Despite its strong sales (ranking 11th in game sales for 2023), player reviews and reactions to its overall experience were not always favorable. A common complaint was that some of “Starfield’s” quests lacked depth, an issue that could also be applied to the expansive open-world, which while impressively vast, sometimes felt empty and incompletely developed.

Without a doubt, Starfield has received some beneficial upgrades, yet they were typically sparse and infrequent. The tepid response to its initial and as-yet only significant DLC, Shattered Space, didn’t exactly aid the situation. Currently, Starfield‘s future is uncertain due to the lack of clarity regarding its long-term viability and Bethesda’s plans for it moving forward. This leaves an opening that The Outer Worlds 2 might capitalize on.

How The Outer Worlds 2 Might Nail the RPG Landing That Starfield Struggled With

In essence, both Obsidian Entertainment’s upcoming game, The Outer Worlds 2, and its predecessor share a common theme: they offer significant player choice and freedom. This means that the game environments and non-player characters (NPCs) adapt according to various roleplaying styles and decisions made by the player. Interestingly, developers have hinted that The Outer Worlds 2 will draw heavy inspiration from Fallout: New Vegas, a move that is likely to excite many fans. Additionally, having learned from feedback on the first game, The Outer Worlds 2 might be well-equipped to deliver aspects that Starfield has yet to accomplish.

In contrast to the expansive open-world of Starfield, The Outer Worlds 2 may not be as vast, but this could be a strength. With its emphasis on character development, captivating storylines, and limited respec options, The Outer Worlds 2 seems poised to fill gaps left by Starfield. Adopting a more focused approach, The Outer Worlds 2 has the potential to deliver an immersive and rich RPG experience similar to that of Starfield, while steering clear of the criticized missteps and unnecessary content often referred to as “filler” that Starfield encountered.

In addition to offering expanded character choices and immersive roleplaying experiences, The Outer Worlds 2’s companions will play a substantial role, an area where Starfield fell short sometimes. With these features and many more still to be unveiled, there are numerous ways that The Outer Worlds 2 could surpass Starfield’s reception among disgruntled fans while appealing to both new and returning gamers simultaneously.

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2025-07-29 20:08