The Outer Worlds 2 Needs Its Own Dark Brotherhood for Epic Player Freedom

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The sequel to Obsidian Entertainment’s much-loved 2019 role-playing game, titled “The Outer Worlds 2“, is scheduled for release in the year 2025. This upcoming project is sure to capture our attention, given the upcoming releases of games like “Oblivion Remastered” and “Starfield“. These games, with their similarities to “The Outer Worlds“, are undeniably exciting additions to the gaming world.

The degree to which The Outer Worlds 2 resembles its Elder Scrolls and Fallout influences is yet unclear, but the fusion of these intellectual properties with Bethesda’s work is often viewed positively. This is chiefly due to the fact that while The Outer Worlds shares a similar approach to character classes, progression, and visual style, it maintains Obsidian’s emphasis on player flexibility and choice, resulting in a distinctive take on the open-world Bethesda format rather than an exact replica. One area where this freedom of choice is particularly evident in The Outer Worlds is in its handling of NPC killing: players are free to kill every character in the game if they wish, potentially locking themselves out of key quests. This option highlights Obsidian’s perspective on player expression in RPGs, but this freedom could be amplified by drawing inspiration from a long-standing Elder Scrolls feature.

Why The Outer Worlds 2 Could Benefit from Its Own ‘Dark Brotherhood’

A Dark Brotherhood-Esque Faction Could Give Structure to Indiscriminate Killing in The Outer Worlds 2

In The Outer Worlds, the ability to eliminate every non-player character (NPC) is unique and distinctly differentiates it from similar role-playing games (RPGs). However, the appeal of this freedom fades rapidly. Although it’s impressive that the developers at Obsidian considered the possibility of an interstellar serial killer, the gameplay associated with this style lacks depth. Instead, it seems more like a captivating mechanical experiment, enabling players to observe the consequences of eliminating various quest-givers, merchants, and other crucial NPCs, thus testing the limits of the game’s sophisticated population systems.

In other games like The Elder Scrolls, killing many innocent characters typically results in consequences such as a player being asked to join a questionable organization of assassins called the Dark Brotherhood. This invitation initiates a long series of quests, making the player’s brutal actions carry weight and significance. A similar feature in The Outer Worlds 2, where players might have more opportunities to kill NPCs than in Elder Scrolls games, could enhance the role-playing experience by adding depth.

The Outer Worlds 2’s Sci-Fi Premise Could Offer a Nice Spin On the Dark Brotherhood

The Dark Brotherhood, a captivating idea, seamlessly integrates into the medieval-style high fantasy realm of “The Elder Scrolls.” This secretive faction is known for its eerie attire, reverence towards dark deities, and peculiar rituals. From head to toe, The Dark Brotherhood embodies the essence of a “fantasy murder cult.” While it fits perfectly within the world of “The Elder Scrolls,” in a game like “The Outer Worlds 2,” such a group could be creatively reimagined with a fresh perspective.

Instead of worshipping gods of chaos, it’s conceivable that the hypothetical “Dark Brotherhood” in The Outer Worlds 2 could adopt a nihilistic philosophy, shunning spirituality and traditional ethics as humanity ventures into space. This group might be defined by disenchantment, stemming from the loss of mystique and wonder often associated with widespread space exploration. On the other hand, they could exhibit cunning Machiavellian tendencies, being prepared to sacrifice innocent lives for medical advancements, weapons testing, social experiments, and similar purposes.

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2025-05-24 13:33