The Outer Worlds has successfully filled that Fallout-sized hole in our collective hearts with Obsidian Entertainment proving once again that it is a master of its craft.
While the game has been warmly reviewed for its unique take on the Obsidian formula, RPG elements and depictions of a sci-fi anarcho-capitalist society, there are a few ways The Outer Worlds could have been improved.
Below, we list five ways the game could’ve been even better.
Better Gunplay and More Weapons
Okay, the gunplay in The Outer Worlds isn’t bad. It’s serviceable, almost relaxing. Fighting your way across the colony feels smooth and easy, but even on higher difficulty levels, the game doesn’t really feel like it’s punishing poor gunplay, nor does it feel particularly noteworthy.
When playing, the lack of feedback and challenge made gunplay rarely feel rewarding. The gameplay does enough to get you from A to B, but it’s a shame that Obsidian did not try to be more ambitious with it.
A few more weapon types wouldn’t go amiss, either. While the game has a significant amount of mods to keep weapon customization and loadouts fresh, the well of different weapon types dries up far too quickly.
Fewer Fetch Quests, Please
When it comes to RPGs, fetch quests are an inevitability. In terms of quest design, it’s an easy way to introduce new characters, zones and dungeons, but The Outer Worlds relies on the formula a little too much.
When entering a new zone in The Outer Worlds, it’s a little disappointing to be met with the same flow of questions: go here, talk to someone, and come back. While a lot of modern RPG games utilize this trope, the reliance Obsidian has on it belies the studio’s talent.
Referring back to Fallout: New Vegas, that game had a significant amount of fetch quests, too, but back then Obsidian knew how to balance this bread-and-butter design with other quest types to prevent repetition.
The game’s writing is outstanding, so it is a shame that some of the most interesting stories in the game were parceled in streamlined quest design.
More Interesting Perks
In terms of perks, The Outer Worlds has enough to keep the most ardent of combat min-maxers occupied. However, compared to other Obsidian efforts, there is a serious lack of fun in them.
The game is screaming out for a Wild Wasteland-style perk to keep things fresh. Of all the aspects the game borrowed from the Fallout universe, it should have also taken notes from how that series balanced combat-orientated and straight-up game-changing perks.
In retrospect, the game could have used its perk system to have more fun. While there are some perks that change gameplay significantly, it feels like a place where Obsidian could have shown its silly side more.
A More Cohesive Open World
While each of The Outer World’s planets, which act like mini open worlds, are interesting, it is a little disheartening to see Obsidian rely upon distinctly separate levels instead of one larger, layered open world.
When space travel is involved, it is inevitable that there will be some form of disconnect between one planet and another. However, having several smaller worlds curtails what Obsidian does best: creating cohesive, believable open worlds.
Each world feels as though you are getting a taste of what Obsidian can do, but after finishing up all the world has to offer, you jet off somewhere else.
The jump between the colony’s different planets prevents Obsidian from really showing off its world-building talent, but when creating a spacefaring, colonizing adventure, it’s difficult to prevent this disconnect.
Better Enemy Variety and AI
This point isn’t too obvious until you reach the later stages of the game, but a lot of the enemies in The Outer Worlds coalesce. The game has a dearth of enemy variety, with humanoid and non-humanoid enemies forming two groups of, well, sameness. As the player becomes stronger, this slight flaw becomes more pronounced.
To compound this matter, enemy AI is a little too simple. Many fights are easily solved with rudimentary flanking or kiting tactics, with a lack of situations that keep players from second-guessing themselves.
Gameplay-wise, The Outer Worlds is a relaxing ride, but an uncomfortable question arises from this: is it a chill experience because it’s meant to be, or is it simply the result of the game’s design imposing little to no challenge?
If The Outer Worlds is ever to see a sequel, then some fine tenements to the AI and enemy design would be the biggest improvement needed.
With all that being said, the game is still a fun ride. Be sure to check out Hayes Madsen’s positive review of the title. Our guide wiki has all the tips and guides you need, too.
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