Guide and Walkthrough (PS4) by chris-williams (4)

The Outer Worlds 2 is an RPG set in a parallel future where corporatism dominates. Learn about its setting, gameplay, and the Board.

The Outer Worlds 2 is an RPG set in a parallel future. In this timeline, anti-trust legislation was never passed, allowing corporatism to become the dominant form of government, with many working for the benefit of the few. By the 24th century, humanity is colonizing the stars, with exploitation rights sold to various corporations. The Halcyon Holding Corporation, a cartel of ten Earth-based corporations, acts as both the owner and government of the Halcyon colony. The colony faces struggles due to difficulties in growing crops, predation from hostile wildlife, and primarily, the incompetence and callousness of the ruling clique known as The Board.

You are a colonist aboard a colony ship that arrived late due to an FTL drive malfunction. Left in cryo-sleep for decades due to The Board's indecision, you are revived by a rogue scientist who sees potential in the colonists for a secret research program to make the colony viable. You are the first survivor of his revival attempts and are tasked with helping him achieve his goals, while The Board has different plans for Halcyon.

The Outer Worlds 2 draws comparisons to Fallout with its character-driven, first-person, skill-based RPG gameplay, early 20th-century art style, parallel future setting, and satire of conservative tropes. The game features sharp writing, a clever art style combining Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Socialist Realism, and brilliant color palettes in its alien landscapes.

The Outer Worlds 2 is approximately forty to fifty hours for a thorough playthrough. It is noted for being largely bug-free, with minimal instances of getting stuck on scenery.

The Walkthrough

The Outer Worlds 2 is highly replayable, accommodating various playstyles. Most quests offer multiple outcomes with long-term consequences. The walkthrough path is dictated by one critical decision point, leading to one of two main routes: Emerald Vale, Groundbreaker, Monarch, Byzantium, Endgame OR Emerald Vale, Groundbreaker, Byzantium (First Visit), Monarch, Byzantium (Second Visit), Endgame. Sidequests are integrated directly into the main walkthrough sections where they become relevant. XP rewards are indicated when quests are advanced or completed, though these may vary based on character level. The guide includes reference sections on character creation, with a robust but not necessarily best-in-class system for perks, attributes, skills, aptitudes, and flaws.