At Summer Game Fest 2025, during a conversation with PC Gamer, the director of The Outer Worlds 2, Brandon Adler, revealed that the second installment of the game would have a more somber tone compared to its predecessor.
You might observe a slightly less humorous, more somber mood emerging. This is largely due to Leonard, as his style leans towards this tone, and he has a significant influence in that area. Consequently, the overall narrative feels like a more serious interpretation of the events depicted.
Honestly, I couldn’t be happier with this news.
I’m seriously excited for this darker turn
In the initial Outer Worlds game, there was an enjoyable blend of humor and action. However, at times, the quirky jokes seemed slightly misplaced and failed to resonate as intended.
Worst of all, it sometimes pulled me out of the gravity of certain situations.
It’s quite clear that dark humor plays a significant role in creating a realistic, rough-edged universe, much like how it was skillfully employed in the Fallout games.
I’m eagerly anticipating some intriguingly dark and eerie sequences in The Outer Worlds 2, yet a more somber tone might effectively highlight these moments, preventing them from seeming too out of place within the narrative.
In his previous post, Brendan Lowry highlighted seven key points from the Outer Worlds 2 Direct, emphasizing the game’s various factions, companions, and the significant degree of autonomy you can enjoy throughout your journey.
These three things are key to the game’s darker plot.
- The Protectorate: A well-funded military regime where order is peace and obedience is comfort. People are happiest when they don’t have to think—just ask any loyal citizen.
- Auntie’s Choice: The cheery merger of Auntie Cleo’s and Spacer’s Choice. They sell freedom, fulfillment, and just enough options to feel like you had one.
- The Order of the Ascendant: Rogue scientists turned faith-driven futurists. They predict the future through math and perform rituals in lab coats—all for a better tomorrow.
It’s also worth noting that the new group of five seems to have a slightly darker, perhaps more devious, nature compared to the companions from the initial game.
For example, Aza exhibits an extreme fascination with violence. You could try to guide her away from this obsession, or perhaps channel it in a more constructive manner.
Then there’s Marisol, an assassin with unfinished business, likely of the murdering kind.
Even though Tristan seems the most knightly ally, he appears less as a symbol of justice and more like a champion seeking retribution.
As an analyst, I believe that crafting a narrative with less vibrant, humorous elements can make the story more poignant, aligning better with the characters’ personalities and environments.
I appreciate a good laugh, but it’s important to distinguish between the wit of dark humor and the distraction of silly antics.
On October 29, 2025, The Outer Worlds 2 is scheduled to launch on Windows PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. Simultaneously, it will be accessible through Xbox Game Pass from the very first day.
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2025-06-10 23:39