In our Outer Worlds review back in 2019, we called Obsidian's sci-fi satire "a quirky romp across a solar system ruled by brutal corporations," but the zany ribbing about the excesses of corporate misconduct didn't land for everyone living in the world where the delivery drivers of major companies are pressured to pee in bottles to be able to make their quotas. In The Outer Worlds 2, Obsidian says that—while there'll still be plenty of humor—the writing will have a darker weight behind it.
In an interview with PC Gamer during SGF 2025, The Outer Worlds 2 game director Brandon Adler said that the first game's writing "could sometimes be one note," and that he wants the sequel to be able to hit more beats than just goofery.
