While it’s still unclear when gamers will be able to get their hands on Obsidian Entertainment’s The Outer Worlds 2, the sci-fi sequel may already be experiencing a bit of an identity crisis. With a deeply satirical setting and gameplay mechanics that drew heavily from Obsidian’s work on Fallout: New Vegas, the original The Outer Worlds wore its inspirations on its sleeve. As The Outer Worlds 2 prepares to leave the first game’s corporate-run world of Halcyon behind in favor of new planets for players to explore, though, Obsidian may find some fans unwilling to accept any deviation from this Fallout-inspired formula.

Having developed games ranging from South Park: The Stick of Truth to the fun but flawed spy RPG, Alpha Protocol, Obsidian has proved that it is capable of exploring different tones in its titles. The departure from Halcyon for The Outer Worlds 2 could be a perfect way for Obsidian to tap into this extensive experience and move beyond the Fallout-in-space feeling of the original, though doing so may prove unpopular with players. Thanks to the recent resurgence in popularity of the Fallout franchise, any deviation from the existing formula may make The Outer Worlds 2 a non-starter for some gamers.

The Outer Worlds 2 character looking out at the landscape
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The Outer Worlds 2 Could Take a Different Tone Than Its Predecessor

Rather than simply rehashing the Fallout-influenced gameplay and tone of The Outer Worlds for the sequel, Obsidian could choose to take it in a different direction entirely. While the corporatocracy depicted in the first game made for a unique and often hilarious setting, when it comes to its tone, The Outer Worlds 2 should focus on the future rather than following in the footsteps of its predecessor. This doesn’t mean the sequel should abandon its satirical roots entirely, though.

Having already explored themes of corporate control in the first game, the new star system in The Outer Worlds 2 could be under the thumb of a different power structure altogether. Featuring a society focused on conquest, for example, would let The Outer Worlds 2 set its satirical sights on the ways in which militaristic societies prime their populace for endless war. This would allow for a slightly darker tone and more action-oriented gameplay while still retaining elements of the original game, but moving so far from the first game’s Fallout-inspired roots could prove problematic.

Straying Too Far from Its Fallout Influences Could be Tricky for The Outer Worlds 2

While The Outer Worlds 2 could choose to try something new, straying too far from the feel of the first game could be tricky. One thing that helped The Outer Worlds stand out from other RPGs upon release was the familiarity of the game, with Obsidian’s experience developing Fallout: New Vegas being felt throughout it. While Obsidian’s Fallout roots helped put the first game on the map, with Bethesda’s post-apocalyptic franchise in the midst of a recent resurgence, The Outer Worlds 2 may find itself stuck following this formula.

With the release of Fallout 5 still likely years away, fans of the franchise may be looking to The Outer Worlds 2 as the next best thing in the interim. Because of this, deviating too far from its Fallout-inspired formula may put players off the game. Even though Obsidian clearly has the narrative and development chops to explore something new, sticking with a fairly light tone and doubling down on silliness in The Outer Worlds 2 could be its only option if it wants the sequel to be successful.

The Outer Worlds 2 gives Obsidian the chance to try something new with its fledgling franchise, but pressure from players hoping for a sequel similar in tone to its predecessor could make trying something new difficult. As a result, even though the series’ sci-fi setting has plenty of potential to explore new themes and stories, it may find itself stuck following in Fallout’s footsteps for the foreseeable future.