The Outer Worlds 2 Review An RPG Masterpiece with Technical Flaws
By the time The Outer Worlds 2 came in hot during the tumultuous pre-launch cycle, the pressures of being the famed developers behind such classics like Fallout New Vegas and KOTOR 2 weighed heavily upon them. Could this studio still deliver a first-rate gaming experience The fans were asking. They have; there is no doubt about it. After eclipsing dozens of hours in the Arcadia system, it is fair to say that the gift given to the fans here in the form of an RPG is that, in my view at least, a perfect spiritual successor to New Vegas; and, to many, this is everything one wanted from a game called Starfield.
Bolder in everything that the first game was, more vicious, and far better, aggressively defined by missed chances and an audience that spoke on its feedback intelligently. It still has its share of problems. So, let us go on to figure.
Story and Setting A War-Torn System with a Sense of Humor
Here, The Outer Worlds 2 leads us to the Arcadia system, another solar system set on fire. You, the agent of the Earth Directorate, really just a space merc, crash-landed in this cosmopolitan political blender. Owing to mysterious cosmic rifts, disintegrating governments, and the fierce all-embracing expansion of Auntie's Choice - an unholy merger of Auntie Cleo and Spacer's Choice the system seems to be tearing itself apart.
More seriously does the story hold itself as a more conflict-ridden one. The tension of full-fledged war elevates the stakes so that you truly feel for the characters and their struggles. Still, the original's trademark dark corporate satire is very much present. A constant stream of quirky absurdity comes from faction names like Protectorate "peace fetishists" and Order of the Ascendant math cultists. This balance works so beautifully; the universe feels both consequential and absurd.
The Gameplay A Masterclass in Player Choice and Reactivity
If the first game was a snarky Fallout in space, this one's more cynical Mass Effect. It's the gameplay where The Outer Worlds 2 truly shines-it's almost an entire deconstruction of what made Fallout New Vegas so loved.
Deep Role-Playing and Skill Checks
The game is constantly reacting to you. The amount of skill checks alone during dialogue is just ludicrous; they weigh your skills, perks, and sometimes even background options for good measure. But it encompasses so much more than that. Your engineering ability can repair a downed power station you come across; your medical skill can change the fate of an NPC; hacking might even open up whole new paths through a level. The game simply trusts you to figure it out.
Then there is the absolutely brilliant "Remembrance" system, logging major decisions and promises that you make. Ten hours later, after I promised a gate guard I'd find some items for him and totally forgot, I ran into him again, and he was pissed. Your companions remember the advice you give them, and they act on it hours later. This creates a very high immersion level that very few games achieve.
Companions That Matter
The system of companions is much more firmly structured and integrated this time around. While Parvati carried the first game on her shoulders, here there are a bunch of fascinating characters who stand as ambassadors for the factions in the game. They, too, have their own values, and will react strongly to your decisions, even going as far as threatening to walk out if they perceive you repressing their people one too many times. There is a true sense of the company being partners in a dysfunctional improv troop with guns. Bring the right companion on a mission, and it can open only new solutions and additional dialogue, making your choices of who to drag along seem strategic and meaningful.
Combat's Vast Improvement
Let's state the obvious: the original combat was dull. Lucky for us, a much-needed overhaul has occurred. The enemies are faster, tougher, with more health, and with particularly unique attacks. The new system-the "Toxicity" system-will make sure you cannot simply keep spamming heals, making you in turn engage your brain. The new companion powers are a lot more polished and don't ruin the pacing anymore. It isn't DOOM Eternal, but it is simply way fluid and engaging to count as a proper shooter instead of an RPG in shooter cosplay.
The Flaw System, Acted out to Perfection
Flaws have always been a neat concept in the original game but were by seldom worth taking. Here, it has become a pull and push that makes it interesting. Flaws now generally give a huge upside for the downside trait. For example, you may take 20% more damage from robots but in return you will deal an additional 20% against them. It makes you inclined towards a particular playstyle and adds dimension to character development.
Performance, Visuals, and Technical State
Visually, The Outer Worlds 2 is a considerable upgrade, developed on Unreal Engine 5 with a colorful, retrofuturistic feel. Perfectly polished on the late '50s Sears catalog-meets-NASA concept, the game boasts well-designed alien worlds and distinct faction designs. In Lumen, dynamic and flash-filled scenes shine brilliantly; in Virtual Shadow Maps, shadows are clean and steady, showing very little variance over the course of one day. The major discussion point remains its technical state.
Console Performance
Console performance presents a few modes:
- Xbox Series X: This is the perfect console experience. Performance Mode achieves smooth gameplay close to a locked 60 fps. Quality Mode sustains a stable 30 fps using high resolution and heavy foliage density. Balanced Mode allows 40 fps and is perfect for those with displays set at 120 Hz.
- In PlayStation 5, sadly, the performance was not this steady. 60 fps Performance Mode and 30 fps Quality Mode have met with frequent frame drops and screen tearing under load with increasing prevalence compared to the Series X.
- Great. The lesser console unlocks 30 fps Quality Mode and 40 fps Balanced Mode, working well and playable but with lower resolution than in its stronger versions.
The Stutter Issue
The single most annoying technical issue, one that transcends platforms, seems to be the frequent and persistent stuttering or lag spike problem. This seems to be an unfortunate offseason from Avowed and can be highly disruptive, especially during high-paced combat, where it is truly difficult to aim. Some areas like Tranquility Station are very prone to hard crashes, and some specific audio bugs occasionally drop audio lines during those crash moments.
Visual Quirks
The art style, while often gorgeous, sometimes blurs definition between some armors and environments. Character models have seen improvement compared to the first game, but design decisions related to hair and side characters can sometimes feel jarringly out of place, pulling one out of the otherwise immersive world.
The Cons Where The Outer Worlds 2 Stumbles
For all its brilliance, the game is nowhere near perfect. A few key points are stopping it from reaching greatness.
- Technical Performance: As above, the most glaring concern is performance. Constant stuttering, lag spikes, and some infrequent crashing ruin the experience and frustrate gameplay.
- Dialogue System Feels Outdated: Presently, the game employs the same "zoom-in on a static face" system found in Avowed, and it comes across as stilted and antiquated. While the writing is surely top-notch, the presentation leaves something to be desired.
- Writing Inconsistencies: Although largely S-tier, some default player character dialogues feel overly quirky or meme-y, endowing your supposed "blank slate" character with an unwelcome personality. Also, prepare for endless talking. If you don't like lengthy exposition, this is most likely not a title to invest your time into.
- World Design and UI: Planets are large and dense, but after completing the main story on one, there's hardly ever an incentive to return. The quest journal UI is egregiously disorganized and typed in a minuscule font, making navigating it a real pain.
Pros and Cons & Rating
Pros:
- Exceptional and Reactive Writing: Claims react far more deeply and meaningfully to your choice of action.
- Deep RPG Mechanics: The game is a true return to form for Obsidian, rewarding you with its skill checks, character builds, and progression.
- These Companions Have Come a Long Way: Companions are integral to the story and gameplay instead of being mere sidekicks.
- Engaging Combat: This is an enormous boost that has made firefights fun and challenging.
- Revamped Flaw System: Now a nice mechanic that adds depth to the making of a character.
- Dense, Explorable Worlds: The planets are large and are filled with meaningful things to look for.
Cons:
- Perennial Technical Issues: Frequent stutters, FPS drops, and crashes ruin the experience.
- Dated Dialogue Presentation: The static presentations feel old.
- Clumsy UI: The organization of the quest journal and some odd menus is poor.
- Tone Can Be Divisive: The incessant satire tends to undercut the emotional weight of certain major decisions.
- Some Planets Are "One-and-Done": The lack of reasons to revisit an already accomplished area can render consequences less meaningful.
The Outer Worlds 2 is a unique game. It offers extraordinary RPG experiences that are hindered by some frustrating technical issues. However, nothing that breaks your enjoyment of it. The sheer reactivity of the world, the depth of its systems, and the quality of its scripting make it one of the best RPG titles released in years. It definitely feels as if this is the game that Obsididian fans have been waiting for-a true return to form that manages to channel the essence of Fallout New Vegas while establishing its own identity.
If you are an RPG fan, this comes highly recommended. If you are on Game Pass, it is an absolute must-play. If you are contemplating a full-price purchase, $70 fully justifies wonderful content, but perhaps wait for a patch or two to iron out performance issues. Irrespective of its issues, The Outer Worlds 2 is a timeless experience, shining as a beacon of the reason this genre is so captivating.
