The Outer Worlds – Xbox One Review

Obsidian’s latest game has its issues with originality and combat but honestly, the game is brilliantly fun. The Outer Worlds may not be the best game around but it does leave me wanting to play more. I have adored my time so far and cannot wait to keep exploring the world again!

The Outer Worlds is set in the Halcyon colony, an advert covered galaxy on the edge of space where every corporation is vying for control. Your character, the so-called “unplanned variable”, has been woken up by Dr Phineas Welles from a decades-long cryosleep after your aptly named ship The Hope never arrived at the colony. His goal for you is to save the rest of The Hope’s passengers and Halcyon at large from The Board, the system’s shadowy overlords. Though his way is not the only option. Your destiny is yours to decide.

Within The Outer Worlds you have complete control over your actions. The game never pushes anything as ‘the right choice’ and characters make decent arguments both ways for every major decision. This can lead to regret and questioning if you did the right thing, a regret that a quicksave and reload cannot solve. As much as real life is never perfect, neither is the world of Halcyon. This feeling really made me think carefully about my actions, which paths I chose to take, and which factions and corporations I chose to side with. 

However, more self-centred factors can play an impact too. Favouring specific factions can net you bonuses like discounts but sometimes the anarchic approach of guns blazing, steal everything can provide a cathartic release. I would recommend using a separate save for that run. 

The high octane violence approach might carry further drawbacks than the moral aspects, combat is not the most fluid. Sniping headshots from afar is always satisfying as is dissolving enemies with plasma weapons but in the heat of the action it can feel messy. A time slowdown mechanic can mitigate this but it cannot fix everything. Furthermore whilst slashing down enemies with my laser sword may be effective, it always seems a bit imprecise and never as visceral as I want it to be. Though it is well known that combat never gives the best gauge of an RPG, in video game or tabletop form. 

Instead, I find it is about the party and the character interactions, which in The Outer World’s case are well crafted and equally full of those weirdly humorous moments. My favourite is always when I am caught stealing. With a high enough Lie stat, you can just convince NPCs that they have misunderstood and can head out on your way once again. Repeat offences will be noticed but that first encounter takes RPG mechanics to the extreme in a delightful way. I also love the opportunity to group up with multiple teammates at once, rather than the typical one at a time method for companions that can be employed by games. It feels more as if you really are a team. A team of not just powerful allies but fleshed out characters with their own desires and fears. When you dock at a new location, companions will sometimes specifically request to come with you so to fulfil their own goals. Small details like that bring these pixels to life.

When politics can often be a divider, Obsidian did amazingly well to make a satirical title that does not demonise either side of the aisle. I will not call The Outer Worlds perfect because it is not. The music is appropriate but generic, the combat is what it is and the game is not particularly unique (‘Fallout in space’ is an appropriate description). Though, I have adored my time with the game and long for the next time I can play more which I think says a lot about its overall impact. If you want to kick back and just enjoy a game, definitely pick up The Outer Worlds.

Thanks to Obsidian and Renaissance for providing a copy of the game!