Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Review

The Outer Worlds is an action RPG developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Private Division. The game was first released in 2019 and is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

AT A GLANCE
GENRE: Action, Adventure, RPG
DEVELOPER: Obsidian Entertainment, Virtuos Games
PUBLISHER: Private Division
RELEASE DATE: 7 Mar, 2023

The original game was well-received upon its release in 2019, but this new edition released three years later is being marketed as the definitive version. It includes upgrades for new consoles, as well as all DLC.

If you’re unfamiliar with the game, Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice is an action RPG similar to Fallout, with both melee and ranged combat, NPCs to interact with, and a world to explore and complete quests in. The gameplay mechanics are solid, and the writing and characters are well done.

From the moment I started playing, I was immediately drawn into the world of The Outer Worlds. The game’s setting is a dark and satirical take on a future in which corporations have taken over every aspect of society. The game’s humor is often biting and sarcastic, with numerous pop culture references and cleverly written dialogue.

The gameplay in The Outer Worlds is reminiscent of other action RPGs like Fallout and Mass Effect. Players can choose to play in a range of different character classes, each with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. The game’s combat system is both satisfying and challenging, with a good mix of ranged and melee combat options available.

One of the things that set The Outer Worlds apart from other RPGs is the game’s focus on player choice. Every decision you make in the game has consequences, and the game’s story can play out in vastly different ways depending on the choices you make. This makes the game incredibly replayable, as you can make other decisions in subsequent playthroughs to see how the story unfolds.

In addition to the main story, The Outer Worlds is filled with side quests and other activities to keep you engaged. These range from simple fetch quests to more complex missions that require you to make difficult moral choices. The game’s writing is consistently strong, with well-developed characters and engaging storylines.

One of the things I appreciated most about The Outer Worlds was the game’s sense of humor. The game is full of witty dialogue and amusing character interactions that kept me entertained throughout my playthrough. However, the game’s humor is also used to make pointed social commentary, and its satire often feels eerily prescient in its critique of corporate culture and consumerism.

In 2020, two expansions were released for the game: Peril on Gorgon and Murder on Eridanos. These expansions added new content to an already rich game and helped to expand upon the themes and ideas explored in the base game.

Peril on Gorgon takes place on the asteroid Gorgon, where the player is tasked with investigating a corporate conspiracy involving the development of a powerful and dangerous drug. The expansion offers a new area to explore, new weapons and armor, and new characters to interact with. The writing in Peril on Gorgon is just as strong as in the base game, and the expansion manages to add new layers to the game’s exploration of capitalism and corporate greed.

The expansion’s story is engaging and offers a new perspective on the game’s themes. The player is tasked with investigating the origins of the Adrena-Time drug, which was hinted at in the base game as a major issue in the game’s universe. As the player progresses through the story, they uncover a dark history of experimentation and exploitation that sheds new light on the game’s critique of capitalism. The expansion also introduces new characters, such as the mad scientist Dr. Ambrose, who add depth and intrigue to the story.

Murder on Eridanos is the second expansion for The Outer Worlds, and it offers a different type of gameplay experience compared to Peril on Gorgon. The expansion takes place on the planet Eridanos, where the player is tasked with solving a murder mystery. The expansion offers new weapons, armor, and characters, and the writing is just as strong as in the base game and Peril on Gorgon.

The story of Murder on Eridanos is engaging and well-written, and it manages to add new layers to the game’s exploration of individualism and the cult of personality. The player is tasked with investigating the murder of a famous actress, and as they progress through the story, they uncover a web of intrigue and deception. The expansion introduces new characters, such as the flamboyant film director Halcyon Helen, who add depth and humor to the story.

Both expansions for The Outer Worlds are well-crafted and add new content to an already rich game. The writing in both expansions is just as strong as in the base game, and the new areas, weapons, and characters offer fresh gameplay experiences. The expansions manage to expand upon the themes and ideas explored in the base game, and they are both excellent additions to an already excellent game. If you enjoyed The Outer Worlds, then you should definitely consider playing the expansions, as they offer new and engaging experiences that are well worth the price of admission.

Visually, the game has undergone a significant upgrade, with the capability to run up to 4K resolution and 60fps. However, there were instances of dropped frames and stutters when moving across open areas, leading to inconsistent performance. The remaster also includes new graphical touches such as volumetric lighting, enhanced environmental detail, and particle physics, which make the game feel like a substantial upgrade from the original. The character models have also been improved and look more realistic, and there are new AI improvements and dynamic weather effects.

The Spacer’s Choice Edition includes both DLC packs and the entire game for $60, which is a great price for those who have never played the original game. If you already own all three, you can upgrade to this version for $10, which is a good deal.