The Outer Worldsis Obsidian’s answer to the ever-popular genre of action role-playing titles set in space. The combination of role-playing potential and the popularity of its companions made it a cult classic, and its sequel,The Outer Worlds 2, was announced in 2021.The Outer Worlds 2may still be a few years away as Obsidian works onAvowed, butThe Outer Worldsstill has much to offer players both old and new as a space RPG.
Before developingThe Outer Worlds, Obsidian had extensive experiencedeveloping sequels and spin-offs to games in established franchises. Thechallenge withThe Outer Worldswas to create a unique IP that would draw players in and keep them engaged. Obsidian did what it does best withThe Outer Worlds, and chose to focus on building a solid role-playing system, with characters who were compelling. Despite the criticisms of the combat system, the role-playing and storytelling inThe Outer Worldsholds up even five years later, andbodes well forThe Outer Worlds 2. Though today marks five years since the game’s July 16, 2025, release, players looking for a game that fills the sci-fi or RPG niches, or veterans thinking of revisitingThe Outer Worlds, shouldn’t hesitate to boot up this classic.
The State of The Outer Worlds in 2024
A five-year anniversary is a massive milestone for any game series, and with development cycles gradually increasing in length, it’s to be expected that the sequel toThe Outer Worldswould take a number of years to release as studios jump between projects. Obsidian Entertainment had previous experience of creating space RPGs before developingThe Outer Worlds, most notably withStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords.
Like BioWare, however, it hadn’t created a space RPG IP of its own, andThe Outer Worldswas its answer.Fallout: New Vegas' developers had a hand in the creation ofThe Outer Worlds, and the Fallout IP’s influence can be seen throughout the world and the combat system ofThe Outer Worlds. However, it surpassesFallout 4andFallout 76in regard toitscompanions and role-playing, whereThe Outer Worldstruly shines.
Obsidian Went Back to Basics With The Outer Worlds
The companions inThe Outer Worldseach come with a unique skillset and set of perks, allowing adjustments for any playstyle. In addition to their base perks, companions get a special Quest Perk upon completing their personal quest. While companions are present in similar games such asFallout 4andSkyrim,The Outer Worldsoffers a more robust system, with characters that have unique personalities, depth, and motivation when compared to previous games.
The Outer Worldswas released in 2019, at a time when the genre was lacking in key areas. BioWare had just releasedMass Effect: AndromedaandAnthem, both of which received fairly negative reviews, and other similar games such asFallout 4received a more lukewarm reception than expected. For a new IP in the genre to release in such a climate was a massive risk for Obsidian, but it paid off as the game received a positive reception.
As Bethesda has shown withStarfield, creating anaction RPG space IP with compelling characters, a great story, and a unique setting that players want to explore isn’t an easy task.The Outer Worldsis just as relevant in 2024 on its five-year anniversary as it was on release, and excels because it gets the basics so right.
The Outer Worlds
WHERE TO PLAY
The Outer Worlds is a new single-player sci-fi RPG from Obsidian Entertainment and Private Division. As you explore the furthest reaches of space and encounter a host of factions all vying for power, who you decide to become will determine the fate of everyone in Halcyon. In the corporate equation for the colony, you are the unplanned variable.Lost in transit while on a colonist ship bound for the furthest edge of the galaxy, you awake decades later than you expected only to find yourself in the midst of a deep conspiracy threatening to destroy the Halcyon colony. As you explore the furthest reaches of space and encounter a host of factions all vying for power, who you decide to become will determine the fate of everyone in Halcyon. In the corporate equation for the colony, you are the unplanned variable.Welcome to the future - try not to break it.
