Lost in Space, Lost in Potential: The Outer Worlds Review

The Outer Worlds, a highly anticipated open-world action RPG from Obsidian Entertainment, falls short of its lofty expectations. Released with a lot of promise, this game ultimately feels incomplete and fails to deliver on its potential. While it has some redeeming qualities, it is marred by repetitive gameplay, slow pacing, and a lackluster story. Let's start with the positives. The role-playing elements in The Outer Worlds are commendable.

The weapon variety is vast, with different categories and sub-divisions, allowing players to find their preferred playstyle. The unique and science weapons add a layer of excitement, while the weapon and armor crafting system is a game-within-a-game. Skills play a significant role as well, with different skill distribution options and the ability to redistribute points mid-game. The inclusion of companions adds depth to the gameplay, with their own abilities, missions, and motivations. In terms of the open world, The Outer Worlds offers a large map with diverse biomes and various locations to explore.

The ability to approach quests in multiple ways adds a nice touch, giving players the freedom to choose between combat, persuasion, or stealth. The game also maintains Obsidian's signature humor, with plenty of easter eggs and funny moments. However, it's essential to address the game's shortcomings. The main story falls flat compared to Obsidian's previous works like Fallout: New Vegas. The factions lack depth and fail to evoke any real desire to support or oppose them.

The excessive text terminals scattered throughout the world become tedious to read, with most offering superfluous information that adds nothing to the plot. Visually, The Outer Worlds suffers from a cartoonish aesthetic that undermines its seriousness as an open-world RPG. The graphics don't live up to the level of immersion players would expect from a game of this magnitude. Moreover, the stealing mechanic is poorly implemented, offering little challenge and undermining the thrill of covert operations. Despite these flaws, the game does have two downloadable content (DLC) offerings, "Peril on Gorgon" and "Murder on Eridanos." These expansions inject new maps, enemies, and engaging stories, providing an enhanced experience. For new players, it's important to experiment with different playstyles to find what suits you best. Take advantage of the vast weapon variety and skills distribution options.

Don't be afraid to try out different companions and their abilities to see which ones complement your playstyle. However, be prepared for a lackluster main story and extensive text terminals, which can be overwhelming to read. For advanced players, embracing the multiple approaches to quests will enhance your experience. Experiment with different builds and playstyles to keep the gameplay fresh. If you haven't already, consider trying out the DLC expansions for a different narrative experience. Overall, The Outer Worlds falls short of Obsidian's legacy, leaving players with a sense of unfulfilled potential. While it has its strengths in terms of role-playing elements and a diverse open world, these are overshadowed by a weak main story and lackluster visuals. It's a good attempt, but not quite the stellar experience gamers were hoping for. This guide will help you master The Outer Worlds, a popular Open World, Action RPG, RPG game..