The Outer Worlds 2is shaping up to be a promising and enticing follow-up to its 2019 predecessor, complete with all the role-playing bells and whistles that Obsidian Entertainment has become so well known for. Much like the first game,The Outer Worlds 2seems to shine through its commitment to player freedom, leaving countless doors open for players to walk through, whether that means building a protagonist around an unconventional playstyle or making left-field narrative choices at every opportunity.
This emphasis on player freedom was illuminated during an Obsidian interview with IGN this past April, during which thedevelopers ofThe Outer Worlds 2pulled back the curtain on its various build-crafting tools, explaining how a combination of skills and gear can contribute to a wildly diverse range of playstyles. Weapon modifications that offer buffs for engaging in a specific combat vector, for instance, can help form a strong reward system which, at least in theory, should lead to a gratifying process of player-driven gameplay and progression. But one of the most-discussed elements of this IGN interview is the mention of the Psychopath and Serial Killer perk combo, which underscores the potential for truly outlandish character builds.
Even Before Launch, a Serial Killer Archetype Might Be The Outer Worlds 2’s Most Popular Nonconventional Build
The Outer Worlds 2 Will Let Players Wreak Havoc as a Mass Murderer
According to the same IGN interview,The Outer Worldswill feature perks like Serial Killer and Psychopath which will grant players rewards such as “permanent health boosts” for indiscriminate killing. So far, Obsidian Entertainment seems to be speaking about these perks in an intentionally vague manner, but the studio has made one thing potently clear: being a serial killer or generalized violent degenerate will be a viableplaystyle inThe Outer Worlds 2, and may even be advisable, depending on one’s propensity for virtual murder.
Obsidian programming in-game rewards for those engaging in a psychopathic murderer playstyle synergizes with the fact that players cankill any NPC inThe Outer Worlds 2. Just like its predecessor,The Outer Worlds 2will allow players to permanently dispatch any character, friendly or otherwise, and rather than restricting such violence in the sequel, Obsidian has leaned into it, making it a potentially favorable trade-off for those seeking a unique experience. This setsThe Outer Worlds 2apart from other RPGs of its kind, which often put up walls around such behaviors, either for ethical reasons or to prevent the player from locking themselves out of important quests. By going the opposite direction, Obsidian demonstrates its willingness to embrace the chaos of the RPG genre.
When discussing this theoretical serial killer archetype, Obsidian’s developers noted that it’s probably best suited for subsequent playthroughs, askilling certainOuter Worlds 2NPCscan wind up locking a player out of a lot of content.
Why the Potential for ‘Psycho’ Builds Is Promising for The Outer Worlds 2
While most players will probably opt for a more morally upright experience, and some might evendenounceThe Outer Worlds 2’spotential for mass violence as harmful in some way, the freedom that a wildly evil path offers further demonstrates Obsidian’s strengths. Because even if a player does indeed choose to be heroic (as most tend to do in RPGs), this choice is far more meaningful by virtue of there being an alternative. If the game were riddled with safeguards to prevent killing, or otherwise issued major punishments for evil deeds, then playing as an upstanding citizen wouldn’t really be a choice—it would just be the default way to play. Here’s hoping that the teased depth of a psycho killer build extends to a number of other unconventional playstyles as well.
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’re able to 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.
