Character Creation
While there is still a little bit of time to wait before The Outer Worlds is released, we’ve already been treated to a glimpse of what the character creation will look like. Spoiler alter, it’s incredibly deep.
Alongside a handful of different looks, the game features a lot of customization options, as the silent protagonist can have varying attributes, skills, and aptitude.
Altering each of these areas not only takes away from others, it changes how characters and the world interact with you and vice versa.
With so many options to choose from, it is safe to say this is another Skyrim-level customization option screen, as you’ll likely spend as much time here as you will playing the game.
Exploration
Obsidian is known for crafting expansive worlds, ones that allow and encourage roaming around and exploring.
Outer Worlds looks to be no different, letting players discover missions, factions, and characters at their own pace.
Don’t feel like doing the main quest line? Explore the land, find a crazy side quest, or even just discover new locations instead, creating your own non-linear adventure within the story and the world’s open structure.
Couple all of this with the fact that there are various worlds to explore and there is no doubt that you’ll be getting lost traversing the game’s terrain in no time.
Choices & Dialogue Trees
Branching paths, skill checks, and scenarios unique to character loadout are just a few of the benefits Outer Worlds’ comprehensive choice and dialogue systems provide.
Each choice that is made alters the future accordingly, ranging from character interactions to even severe alterations to quest lines.
The limitless options will make this a hell of a title to replay as well, showing off how different the game can be based on the choices players make on the first run in comparison to additional playthroughs.
Be a saint during one save, picking all the right options and helping the needy, and an ass the next, screwing over as many people as possible for self gain.
Companions
Singleplayer games can be pretty isolated experiences sometimes, as it just gets pretty lonely gunning down enemies and completing quests by your lonesome.
Outer Worlds knows the importance of the buddy system though, allowing for a handful of different companions to accompany and aide your character in the game.
In total, there will be six different companions to meet and recruit in-game, each with different personalities, skills, and narrative effects.
While only three are currently known (Parvati, Ellie, and Felix), there is going to be a lot to unpack upon meeting each unique character. Let’s see if any of them are as badass as Boone, though.
It’s Essentially Fallout in Space
Whether it was the humor, gameplay, or overall style of The Outer Worlds, it was pretty clear Obsidian was sticking to their strengths when they revealed their new IP at the Game Awards in 2018.
Comparisons to Fallout New Vegas – a game that Obsidian developed back in 2010 – were made immediately, as the title was deemed “New Vegas in Space” by many.
With every new bit of information that released, that typecast rang more true, as the terrestrial setting was accompanied by all of the hallmark features fans loved about Fallout New Vegas.
Time will tell as to whether it can live up to the high bar that Obsidian set for themselves, but you can find out for yourself when the game releases for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows on Oct. 25, 2019.
Published: Oct 21, 2019 11:30 am