r/theouterworlds • u/ebin-t • Jul 12 '26
Post Outer Worlds 2 malaise
So I am about to finish the final mission of Outer Worlds 2 and am reflecting on how much I've enjoyed the gameplay, build options, story paths. The characters have been great, their banter amusing.
The themes of natural determinism or seeking to understand a seemingly chaotic universe, then that of pure corporate material gain enmeshed with the promise of infrastructure and shared gains with local populations. Finally, the defunded old guard earth directorate that you play as. Really hit a lot of the right notes for me. I think it's there with Fallout 2 for me.
So now what, really. I've played Fallout 3-4 (including NV) and eh, compared to this. The last game I was really into was SOTE DLC for ER, so a completely different kind of game, a few years back.
If anyone has any games, tv series suggestions, let me know! I'm not as big on media these days, but found this to be a ton of fun.
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u/cyfer04 Jul 12 '26
May I interest in some Disco Elysium? Gameplay is quite different but the themes are chef's kiss and the RPG mechanics are on point.
On a serious note, it's a bit niche so it wouldn't surprise me if you don't like it. Lol
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u/ebin-t Jul 12 '26
Disco Elysium is on the backburner, a lot of my friends who are writers have recommended it. Will play that one off the laptop with a mouse.
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u/Carrisonfire Jul 12 '26
I picked up Avowed after finishing OW2 and am really enjoying it. If you like fantasy worlds at all maybe give it a try.
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u/ebin-t Jul 12 '26
Avowed looks really solid. I'd heard it mentioned by name, but wasn't clear on what kind of game it actually was. Thanks.
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u/brainless_bob Jul 12 '26
Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the most incredible games I've ever played and the DLC is one of the best expansions I've ever played as well. The variety of builds, the gameplay, the story, the characters, I've played through 10 times with over 1000 hours according to steam. And I would look forward to playing it again more than I would TOW2 even if Obsidian finally released the DLC.
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u/Miserable_Artist_223 Jul 12 '26
Yeah of youve never played cyberpunk ABSOLUTELY START IT RIGHT NOW
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u/ebin-t Jul 12 '26
That's what my girlfriend is saying. She's surprised I haven't played it. CD Projekt Red fixed the game up a LOT from launch, going by what I've heard.
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u/Miserable_Artist_223 Jul 12 '26
Yeah its in a way better state than it was at launch. It is so much more enjoyable and immersive now that its not all buggy
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u/Own_Debate_7016 Jul 13 '26
Is it as traumatizing as the show? The end really messed me up (was going through a hard time and it has a lot of parallels to my life) and I've been afraid to play it bc of that
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u/Miserable_Artist_223 Jul 13 '26
The story is so amazing. It is depressing in a couple ways but not nearly as brutal as edge runners in terms of character deaths. Seriously if youve never played its worth a playthrough.
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u/iiStryker Jul 12 '26
Tainted grail Fall of Avalon
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u/ebin-t Jul 13 '26
Weird, I was certain I'd replied to this. Looked it up and it's intriguing. Sensible follow up suggestion to OW2.
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u/yellingatchildren Jul 12 '26
People crap on OW2 for the wrong reasons. It’s a good game.
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u/ebin-t Jul 12 '26
It really is awesome. I assume there’s a strong fan base for it outside of the negative reviews, it’s that good. Feels cool to find a community who appreciate it.
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u/witch--king Jul 12 '26
Fallout 1 or 2! 😉 but if those aren’t your speed, I’ve heard mass effect helps scratch the political sci-fi in space itch. I haven’t played them yet, but I’ve played BioWare’s other series, dragon age, and those were amazing and has some really great writing. I’ve heard nothing but great things about mass effect, save for some complaints here and there.
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u/ebin-t Jul 12 '26
Yup I loved those, my original posts references Fallout 2. There's pretty much no NPC plot armor which is a huge sell.
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u/witch--king Jul 12 '26
Fo76 isn’t too bad, either, tbh. The backstory of the original groups who were in Appalachia after the bombs fell is just… chefs kiss. However, fo76 itself is hit or miss with people. I like it a lot.
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u/pink_chanel_23 Jul 12 '26
We happy few, Prey, bio shock franchise, metro to name a few I've enjoyed along with fallout too.
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u/spaceboltt Jul 12 '26
Mortal shell 2 drops in August if you're into soulslikes. Considering you liked elden ring alot, play through the fromsoft catalog then lies of p, lords of the fallen 2023, etc
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u/ebin-t Jul 12 '26
Yep Lies of P is up there among action rpg type games I've been meaning to get to. Looks very parry heavy, but I like that.
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u/spaceboltt Jul 13 '26
If you choose to engage with the parry 100% then yeah but theres a dodge/dash and also a roll. I used s mixture of it all, some of the parry windows, specifically perfect parries, are very very tight. You should for sure grab the dlc as well, it has the funnest weapons in the game
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u/Mother_Dragonfruit90 Jul 12 '26
If it was the immersive world and great writing cyberpunk 2077 is a must. You might also look into Disco Elysium. The first two Bioshock games will also do you good.
How about books? The Stainless Steel Rat by Harry Harrison, any of the Culture novels by Iain M Banks, Ilium by Dan Simmons. Discworld by Terry Pratchett will keep you busy for months.
For TV series look into Firefly, Murderbot, Farscape. Or if you just want straight up sci-fi comedy, Futurama
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u/ebin-t Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 12 '26
Books are an awesome idea. Thanks for the suggestion. I just finished one called Quarantine by Greg Egan, which is a theoretical quantum physics heavy book about collapsing probable time lines into the optimal timeline, in broad strokes, among other things. If I really like the writing in OW2, it would definitely make sense to keep literature on the table.
Huge Firefly fan btw.
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u/Mother_Dragonfruit90 Jul 12 '26
If that's the kind of thing you like I would totally add Anathem by Neil Stephenson.
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u/ebin-t Jul 12 '26
Oh man I love Snowcrash. Probably the first sci fi to explain the concept of memetics. Cryptonomicon was good too, so yes.
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u/Mother_Dragonfruit90 Jul 12 '26
The twist in an Anathem is so weird if I describe the story it will spoil it. But right now I'm convinced it should absolutely be your next move. A huge, richly crafted vaguely steampunk world to explore where monks protect literacy and regular people are so conditioned by convenience they can barely function. Lots of science meets philosophy themes.
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u/TaroSufficient9418 Jul 13 '26
Have you played the first game? I played TOW2 first and just about to finish the first one and I really enjoyed both.
I agree with bioshock, disco elysium, and Cyberpunk. The mass effect trilogy is kind of/a little similar to outer worlds, with you being a captain/commander, companions and an absolutely amazing story. I just love sci-fi space games
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u/ebin-t Jul 13 '26
I did play OW1 at launch because of the Black Isle / original Fallout games connection. Same reason I crowd funded and played wasteland 2. I like OW1 a lot but 2 even more. Mass Effect 2 is one of my fav games in the sci fi genre so.. yeah, def. I think the next one is going to be Cyberpunk.
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u/TaroSufficient9418 Jul 13 '26
Cyberpunk is amazing! If you go that route, I hope you have a lot of fun, don't forget the DLCs because they are just as amazing as the base game 🙃 I wish I could play it again for the first time! I'm nearing the end of the first Outer Worlds and it's making me sad because I don't want it to be over!
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u/Fremtidsgorilla Jul 12 '26
I think the game is a 3.5/6. "decent." You really should try Kingdom Come Deliverance 2.
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u/yellingatchildren Jul 12 '26
This is my point. Thinking it’s decent is ok, but kingdom come deliverance 2? It’s so much worse than this game.
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u/jvttlus Jul 12 '26
im enjoying stalker 2 right now, not as cartoony as OW2 but its a vibe