The Outer Worlds 2 underperformed sales expectations, they won't make a third

Gizmo_Duck

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I enjoyed the game, but it did feel like they didn't do enough and some changes weren't all that great


Specifically around companions:

Can't change their gear
Can't give them commands

Combat was tighter in some ways and not having a carry limit was great, details on character models was much improved but gear felt a bit lackluster (especially visually).

I don't understand why a game like this in 2025 doesn't have something like transmog available so you can have the stats and look you want.

Also, people can say what they want about romance being corny but that was a huge draw in Baldurs gate 3 and to a lesser extent cyberpunk.

It’s not just the idea of romance but memorable enough companions that you actually want to progress with

Feels like obsidian and Bethesda fell way behind their contemporaries as far as immersive rpgs go These days
 

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Also, people can say what they want about romance being corny but that was a huge draw in Baldurs gate 3 and to a lesser extent cyberpunk.

It’s not just the idea of romance but memorable enough companions that you actually want to progress with

Feels like obsidian and Bethesda fell way behind their contemporaries as far as immersive rpgs go These days
I thought the romance system in BG3 wasn't good. However, the romance option does give the player the option to learn more about companions.You can say it's a presentable way to create motivation to complete companion quests. I don't have the numbers, but I assume players will skip certain companion quests if they don't care for the companion. Lastly, it adds to the replayability of a game because there's def people that will say they'll romance x character for their next run.

I enjoyed the game, but it did feel like they didn't do enough and some changes weren't all that great


Specifically around companions:

Can't change their gear
Can't give them commands

Combat was tighter in some ways and not having a carry limit was great, details on character models was much improved but gear felt a bit lackluster (especially visually).

I don't understand why a game like this in 2025 doesn't have something like transmog available so you can have the stats and look you want.
The game does stuff well, but it just needed a little extra something to put it up there with the quality RPGs that released recently. I think that part is what Obsidian needs to improve on. Maybe create more consequence for actions and better customization. I think the little details such as better upgrades for companions, romance option, ship customization, deeper customization, better character creation tool, etc. Is what could probably push their games, but they go a bit safe in regards to that which most likely hurts them imo
 

Gizmo_Duck

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The game does stuff well, but it just needed a little extra something to put it up there with the quality RPGs that released recently. I think that part is what Obsidian needs to improve on. Maybe create more consequence for actions and better customization. I think the little details such as better upgrades for companions, romance option, ship customization, deeper customization, better character creation tool, etc. Is what could probably push their games, but they go a bit safe in regards to that which most likely hurts them imo

I still not heard any mention of the actual writing, storylines, side quest, etc which is bizarre for an rpg game

Obsidians best games are licensed. Kotor 2, new Vegas, stick of truth, etc
 

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I still not heard any mention of the actual writing, storylines, side quest, etc which is bizarre for an rpg game

Obsidians best games are licensed. Kotor 2, new Vegas, stick of truth, etc

I feel like that's because the story was...okay

The main story had a nice intro but once you get into it, the focus shifts on dealing with rifts opening all over the galaxy and balancing 2 factions (3rd one you can't really side with) for help.

Repercussions from choices didn't feel all that weighty, and the ending just gives you slideshow updates of certain characters/outcomes for towns based on your journey

The side quests were more of the same (go here find/retrieve, explore an area/kill this enemy report back)
 

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I still not heard any mention of the actual writing, storylines, side quest, etc which is bizarre for an rpg game

Obsidians best games are licensed. Kotor 2, new Vegas, stick of truth, etc
Was thinking about it, and maybe they're not that strong at world building, which is why they work much better with licensed IPs. Haven't completed it yet, but there's been some memorable decisions that had to be made in the outer worlds 2. However, I don't think the quest lines so far are at the level of the top of the line stuff like mass effect, dragon age origins, BG3, kotor, etc.

I think the problem with Obsidian is something you've said before where people talk about wanting more AA games made, but they want a AAA experience. I guess Microsoft did them no favours with pricing, but even if it was $50, I can see some being hesitant because they most likely want a AAA experience when it comes to RPGs of this nature.

I think Microsoft needs to do a business decision and make them do a fallout spinoff since Bethesda is far away from FO5. Also, maybe it's better to focus on 1 game, then working on 3-4 games at the same time
 

Gizmo_Duck

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I think Microsoft needs to do a business decision and make them do a fallout spinoff since Bethesda is far away from FO5. Also, maybe it's better to focus on 1 game, then working on 3-4 games at the same time

I said this before also, but the idea that “there aren’t enough games” or “games take too long” is so backwards. The type of demo these big single player games appeal to are older working individuals, that probably don’t even have time to knock out more than a game a month. On top of that, F2P and Multiplayer eat up a huge chunk of time along with outside stuff.

It’s going to be incredibly rare that a large studio releases two $70 dollar games in a calendar year and both of them sell well becuase people ain’t spending money like that.

Most people aren’t even buying more than 3 $70 dollar games a year, period. If they are it’s going to be big licensed stuff like hogwarts or spider-man, or known IP like Mario, GTA, GoW etc.

The whole crying for more “AA” games or faster production is some online shyt
 

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I said this before also, but the idea that “there aren’t enough games” or “games take too long” is so backwards. The type of demo these big single player games appeal to are older working individuals, that probably don’t even have time to knock out more than a game a month. On top of that, F2P and Multiplayer eat up a huge chunk of time along with outside stuff.

It’s going to be incredibly rare that a large studio releases two $70 dollar games in a calendar year and both of them sell well becuase people ain’t spending money like that.

Most people aren’t even buying more than 3 $70 dollar games a year, period. If they are it’s going to be big licensed stuff like hogwarts or spider-man, or known IP like Mario, GTA, GoW etc.

The whole crying for more “AA” games or faster production is some online shyt
If we look at Circana year-ending chart we'll see 90% of the game on the list are big AAA games. I guess something like Arc Raiders and Clair Obscur would make the list, but most people aren't going to buy AA single player games unless there's a lot of hype from word of mouth. I agree that it's mostly internet talk because it's pretty much the same games that are dominating the charts.

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