The Outer Worlds 2fans are torn over the role of romantic relationships in the upcoming RPG. While the first game also lacked any meaningful love affairs, some players had hoped the sequel would take a different approach. However, the recentThe Outer Worlds 2Direct playfully confirmed that won’t be the case. In the 30-minute showcase, a tongue-in-cheek moment joked that players would be upset about the game featuring “so much combat and almost no romance.”
Previously, Obsidian Entertainment’sAvoweddevs explained the studio’s recent move to drop romance. According to them, such elements are a ton of work, and they’d rather allocate the required resources to other core RPG features like combat. ForAvowed’s companions, the developers felt they could tell their stories more effectively without making them romanceable. The same approach now appears to apply toThe Outer Worlds 2, though the decision has seemingly divided fans.
SomeOuter Worlds 2fans support the developers' decision to exclude dating systems, arguing the team shouldn’t be pressured to add mainstream role-playing features like love interests. They believe the creators should have full creative freedom to shape the game as they see fit. On the other hand, critics feel that leaving out these interactions removes a key opportunity for character bonding. Citing therelationship mechanics ofBaldur’s Gate 3as an example, they claim that well-executed love stories can deepen the campaign and enhance immersion.
Is The Outer Worlds 2’s Lack of Romance a Big Deal?
Despite the recent debates,The Outer Worlds 2might still include minor flirtations, similar to some past Obsidian titles. For instance,Avowedfeatured a form of romancein one of its endings, even though dating was absent from the core campaign. However, even ifThe Outer Worlds 2lacks such content entirely, it likely won’t be an issue. The first game was well-received without it, and many fans are expected to enjoy the sequel just as much.
Some have previously made thecase for love affairs inThe Outer Worlds 2, often citing a missed opportunity with Parvati, one of the first game’s most beloved companions. While players could express their feelings toward her, the relationship never evolved into a fully developed love story. For them, the chance to develop a more meaningful relationship with Parvati could make the campaign much more enjoyable and immersive. Still, plenty of players believe the sequel doesn’t need romantic subplots to succeed. They point to other successful RPGs without such features, likeHorizon Zero Dawn, as proof that Obsidian can deliver a strong narrative without relying on love stories.
The Outer Worlds 2
WHERE TO PLAY
The Outer Worlds 2 is the eagerly-awaited sequel to the award-winning first-person sci-fi RPG from Obsidian Entertainment (just look at the exciting number of dashes in this sentence!). Time to clear your calendar – get ready for an action-packed adventure with a new crew, new weapons, and new enemies in a new colony! So much newness!As a daring and most likely good-looking Earth Directorate agent, you must uncover the source of devastating rifts threatening to destroy all of humanity. Your investigation leads to Arcadia, home of skip drive technology, where the fate of the colony, and ultimately the entire galaxy, rests on your decisions—your strengths, your flaws, your crew, and the factions you choose to trust.EXPLORE A NEW FRONTIERThe Arcadia colony is engulfed in a factional war, as the Protectorate’s so-called benevolent rule is challenged by the rebellion of their religious order and a corporate invasion. As destructive rifts spread across the colony, each faction fights to control or close them for their own ends. Navigate diverse zones, uncover hidden lore, and shape the fate of a system on the brink!YOUR COMMANDER, YOUR WAYBuild your character with the abilities and choices that reflect your playstyle. The colony reacts to your every move, crafting a narrative that’s yours to own—whether you’re a disciple of diplomacy, an astute strategist, a crusader for chaos, or something different altogether. And yes, you can dumb!ENLIST YOUR COMPANIONSRecruit companions with unique traits, backgrounds and goals. Whether you choose to help them achieve their ambitions or steer them toward your own objectives, your influence shapes their growth (or death), making them an integral part of the immersive story you create together.
