The Outer Worlds introduced players to a charming new world filled with overbearing corporations, capitalistic indifference, and a lot of jokes and combat. The Outer Worlds 2 was announced earlier this month at E3 2021, and while it is likely still quite a ways away, there are some aspects of the game that have been confirmed. One of the biggest new additions to The Outer Worlds 2 is an entirely new solar system for players to explore and learn about.
The new solar system has brought about a lot of questions from fans of the series about how much it will include familiar characters, corporations, and factions. The Outer Worlds 2 also confirmed that it would also feature an entirely new cast of party members for players to get to know, customize, and fight with. The new solar system holds a lot of potentials for The Outer Worlds 2 to set itself apart from the first game and other RPGs like it. Largely, these potentials revolve around including aliens. The Outer Worlds had a cast of only human characters, and including aliens into the mix could bring a lot of great new ideas and features to the game.
The Outer Worlds 2 Has A Lot of Potential for Aliens
The Outer Worlds 2 going to a new solar system could bring an incredible variety of aliens native to that solar system to the game. As players travel across the solar system and explore its world and planets, they would also be able to run into different alien cultures and explore what makes those aliens unique and different. Each alien would have a distinct place in the new culture of the solar system and players being able to explore and learn about each race's role would be enticing for players. The Outer Worlds did a great job setting up a sequel, and adding aliens would allow The Outer Worlds 2 to fully capitalize on it.
The different alien races would also let The Outer Worlds 2's new companion characters really shine and stand out from one another. A good example is the beloved list of companions from the Mass Effect series. In Mass Effect players may get multiple Krogan companions, but the nature of the Krogan carries on throughout and players can always expect those companions to have a lot of health and be good at close-range encounters. The Outer Worlds 2 including aliens could benefit from a similar effect that would allow its characters to capitalize on those cultural features of each alien species and build upon and comment on them.
The Outer Worlds 2 Shouldn't Repeat Mass Effect: Andromeda's Mistake
However, if The Outer Worlds 2 does introduce aliens to the series, it will have to avoid the pitfalls of other games that have not been successful with their aliens. One example of this is Mass Effect Andromeda. When Mass Effect Andromeda announced that it would be going to an entirely new galaxy, many fans got excited at the possibility of a variety of new alien species to learn about and build relationships with. However, the game only introduced two new alien races the Angara and the Kett. Mass Effect Andromeda originally had 10 new alien races, but it cut it down to only include the most humanoid and cosplay friendly.
Confining new aliens to humanoid dimensions and appearances would severely limit the possibilities and imagination that would allow The Outer Worlds 2 to take full advantage of the idea. Having alien species that are just masses of tentacles or strange insectoids would liven up the world of The Outer Worlds 2 drastically and help it build its own identity to stand out from other science fiction properties in the games industry.
It also could carry fascinating gameplay additions such as tentacle-wielding aliens being able to pull enemies out from behind cover or one species being able to take flight and flank enemies from high vantage points. Of course, it would be a lot of work and a massive addition to the game, but it could also help cement The Outer Worlds as one of the best science fiction video game franchises.
The Outer Worlds 2 Should Make Truly Alien Worlds
Little has been shown of The Outer Worlds 2 so far, but one thing the trailer made clear is that the new planets players can expect to visit will be distinctly alien from our own. The Outer Worlds does include some interesting locations, but going all out with alien races would add to what The Outer Worlds 2 could deliver for planets and civilizations. Imagining a planet that led to strange monstrosities of space would both mesh well with The Outer Worlds' comedic tone, and lead to the team developing some very unique locations. With an entire new solar system to develop, The Outer Worlds 2 could go a lot of places with its planets.
Having more alien planets could also lend itself well to the gameplay of The Outer Worlds 2. While the game was pretty widely praised for its story and writing, The Outer Worlds' combat did not receive as much love. Having more alien planets could give a lot to helping strengthen this aspect of the game. Each planet having its own alien technology and approach to life would open up the doors for The Outer Worlds 2 to incorporate more combat mechanics and varied equipment. Planets could also include environmental hazards like acid rain to help them stand out from one another, and really challenge players who are looking for deeper combat.
Of course, there is no way to tell what changes The Outer Worlds 2 will bring to the series until more official information is released about it. With The Outer Worlds 2 likely being a ways off yet, Obsidian Entertainment likely has plenty of more time to work on the game and see what all make the cut. Hopefully, the game will introduce a spin on alien races wholly unique to the franchise, but if it doesn't, The Outer Worlds 2 will surely still deliver a hilarious RPG with an all-new science fiction setting.
The Outer Worlds 2 is in development.