The Outer Worlds 2is the sequel to one of Obsidian’s most successful games, so naturally, expectations are high. It debuted a trailer at the 2025 Xbox Showcase, alongside a deep-dive right after the show that featured its new companions, concept and setting, and options for character building. WhileThe Outer Worlds 2had some good buzz coming out of the event, it has also encountered some controversy, particularly among RPG fans. Obsidian has stated that there will be no romance options forThe Outer Worlds 2, which excludes a dynamic that draws many to the genre.
Hearing thatThe Outer Worlds 2will have no romance mechanic is disappointing for many, and their disappointment is understandable. Romance systems have become something of a staple in RPGs, and are a popular mechanic in RPGs that have defined the genre, such asStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, theMass Effect Trilogy, andBaldur’s Gate 3. However, the announcement is also unsurprising, as Obsidian is known for avoiding any romance in all its titles.
Obsidian Chronically Avoids Romance in Its Games
WhileThe Outer Worlds 2is the first Microsoft game with an $80 price tag, it will also be available on Xbox Game Pass as a day one launch title. It promises to bring a bigger world to explore, more weapons and more weapon variety, many more ways to build characters, and lean into the tone that madeThe Outer Worldsso appealing. However, it fails to address one of the biggest complaints about its predecessor, which was a lack of romance options.
Given how popular romance paths are in the role-playing genre, it is understandable that there was some disappointment about it beingimpossible to romance any ofThe Outer Worlds 2’s companions. However, though romance has been a mechanic in a few Obsidian games, such asStar Wars Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith LordsandPillars of Eternity 2, any romance was very muted in comparison to other, similar, RPGs.The Sith Lords' romance options were even more understated than inKotOR, which had very short romances compared to what is seen in modern games.
Obsidian simply doesn’t include romance as a studio policy, and faces controversy every time it launches a title. It faced the same scrutiny when it was revealed that there wouldn’t be any romance options inAvowed. Josh Sawyer, one of the Obsidian devs behind classics such asNeverwinter Nights 2,Fallout: New VegasandPillars of Eternity, has stated that he doesn’t believe he can deliver the video game romances that players have come to expect. Sawyer is one of the major designers at Obsidian and, while he isn’t on the team forThe Outer Worlds 2, it’s likely other developers at the studio share his views.
Obsidian RPGs Focus on Platonic Relationships
Obsidian’s decision is not without reasons. In various interviews and the showcase, the studio emphasized its focus on satire, worldbuilding, and choice-driven narrative rather than romance.The Outer Worldsuniverse leans heavily into dark humorand corporate dystopia, and the developer has expressed that adding complex romantic paths could dilute the game’s tonal consistency. This design philosophy reflects Obsidian’s broader approach, seen in past titles where relationships were limited or secondary to the game’s plot.
The Outer Worlds 2 Will Include Better Systems
Despite the controversy surrounding the continued lack of romance,The Outer Worlds 2is set to deliver improvements in other areasthat matter to RPG fans. Expanded character-building options, deeper skill trees, and new weapon systems have been teased, suggesting that players will have more freedom than ever to shape their protagonist’s combat style and abilities. Companions will reportedly offer richer questlines and greater impact on story outcomes, even without the possibility of romance, potentially offsetting the absence of relationship-building mechanics. Ultimately, while the disappointment in the lack of romance forOuter Worlds 2is understandable, this feature being left out is not at all unexpected given Obsidian’s past, and the latest controversy around the studio’s work is the same one it has been dealing with for years.
