The Outer Worlds 2 Should Learn From Starfield

by

Following the release of Starfield, The Outer Worlds 2 is under pressure to excel in exploration, a key aspect of games centered around space travel. Given that both Starfield and The Outer Worlds offered ample chances for players to explore, it appears that the gaming industry has recognized this. By enhancing its approach to space exploration, The Outer Worlds 2 could surpass its predecessors, reaching unprecedented levels of immersion. Such an achievement could establish a benchmark for future sci-fi games to aspire to.

Fans can anticipate updates on the upcoming release of The Outer Worlds 2, given its announced launch in 2025. However, even without specific details, players can infer some reasonable expectations based on the original game. The Outer Worlds was a science fiction adventure rich in satire, set in a universe where corporations held immense power, even owning entire planets. The game allowed players to assemble a crew, explore various planets, tackle problems, and battle villains. It was an ironic RPG that echoed the essence of classic sci-fi literature, making it stand out among its contemporaries.

The Outer Worlds 2 Needs to Make Its Planets Exciting and Well Worth Exploring

Many of Starfield’s Planets Lacked Notable Identifying Traits

In Starfield, players encountered numerous planets to discover, yet they frequently didn’t seem enticing enough to explore. Many of the game’s planets were primarily resource hubs, offering little unique content. This issue might stem from the game’s use of procedurally generated planets, which, when applied extensively across a vast number of planets, can result in repetition. Consequently, exploration often lacked reward as players seldom found anything genuinely novel. It was disheartening for such an ambitious game, and we hope The Outer Worlds 2 avoids repeating this mistake.

The Outer Worlds 2 Can Introduce a Plethora of Planets

In order for players to delve into unexplored planets in The Outer Worlds 2, the developers need to provide compelling motivations for such exploration. Every location that players could venture into during The Outer Worlds was significant because there was a reason for the player to go there, and missions sent players traversing through various regions of the game. The Outer Worlds 2 can build upon this by introducing more planets and diverse biomes compared to the original game, potentially resulting in a greater number of intriguing landmarks, hidden treasures, and quests that are worth pursuing.

The Outer Worlds 2’s Adventures Have Potential to Get Creatively Absurd

In the next installment of The Outer Worlds 2, there might be an additional surprise element to enhance the thrill of exploration. The unique science weapons in The Outer Worlds significantly influenced battles by offering effects unmatched by other weapons. Similarly, these could serve as valuable discoveries for players. To elevate the experience, the sequel could incorporate a similar concept into exploration, where planets or regions present peculiar physics, gravity, movement, or other characteristics that infuse creativity and challenge to the process of discovery. If The Outer Worlds 2 aims to surpass its predecessor, then introducing some wild science elements could be just the solution.

Expanding the types of environments we encounter might result in a greater number of intriguing backdrops, hidden riches, and adventures that are enticing to explore.

Space is inherently captivating, and The Outer Worlds 2 aims to convey this sense of wonder as players traverse it. If The Outer Worlds 2 taps into its creativity, its galaxies could be a visual spectacle. Although the original game was a solid foundation, the developers now have ample opportunity to expand upon it with the established framework. Starfield demonstrated some promise but also highlighted certain weaknesses. The Outer Worlds 2 can build on these lessons and deliver one of gaming’s most immersive space-faring journeys.

Read More

2025-01-11 17:22