The Outer Worlds (2019)

Finished this the same day as Prey (2017). It was a fun ride. I laughed more than a few times. The game definitely feels like an older game however, there are a few welcome changes from the older Fallout games but not enough to feel like it's a real next-gen title. I probably wouldn't have played this without Game Pass realistically.

I might write a review one day.

The Outer Worlds - First Impressions

I'm a bit mixed on Obsidian's newest entry, especially when I came to it hot off the heels of what i played of Disco Elysium. It's a bit disappointing, not in a sort of marketing expectations way, more like it sets interesting themes up and then lets you down almost immediately.

Let's take things back, I might as well talk about the combat. The combat is fairly serviceable, giving you a somewhat interesting toolset for moving around and going for debuffs on enemies and optimizing damage but your defensive options being basically a run to cover. It's ok, it does what's necessary and ultimately doesn't impede in between the writing and exploration (however limited the latter may be).

The story itself is, well, leaves a bit more to be desired so far. It's drenched in very very clear anti-corporation messages, some of which is very compelling, especially with how strong the worldbuilding is. However, that doesn't take away from the fact that almost all of the characters here on offer are cardboard, even if the dialogue itself is pretty humorous and well done. Parvati being the sole exception, she's honestly too good for this game. I made quite a few jokes that this is just Parvati Worlds while playing, because she felt like the only human person here that wasn't just a device to spout the core message.

The story's pacing itself is so bullettrain fast that I found it hard to take somewhat seriously at times. Because there was never a stop to characterize, create more nuance for the conflict, as much as it needed to tell me "hey look how bad the people under the corporation have it!". Again, not to dig on the worldbuilding which is honestly great, but it really feels like the questing on offer here is safe and middling.

Part of me expects this game to get a much better more refined sequel that implements the solid foundation on offer here. It's good enough where I will come back and finish it, but it's not something I can hugely recommend. It's alright.

Overall, this has been a fun experience, but after 30hrs of doing every single side quest I can find, I think I'm about ready to just mainline the story and be done with it.

The sidequests in Byzantium seem to be of a lower caliber than the ones earlier in the game. "Remember those crappy pieces of armor & helmets you've been selling for the entire game? Go to two different planets and get some more so you can bring it back here. And now, remember all the animal part junk that you've sold at every opportunity? Bring me some of that now."

Then I run into some dude who wants me to go collect some rats for him from the sewer, and I'm all, "Good for you, pal. Later!"

Started it and, unsurprisingly, I'm really enjoying it! I love fallout 3 and this is basically fallout 3 in space, so.. 5 stars?

One thing that sticks like a sore thumb is that the inventory system is really not that good. Sorting items by value to weight ratio is a great addition, but for the life of me I can't understand which equipment is equipped and which isn't. Sometimes it's there, sometimes it's not?... It gets awfully annoying every time I want to buy or sell weapons or armor.