The Outer Worlds 2 Promises a Darker Tone Than the Original

So, I’m at this Summer Game Fest 2025 thing, right? Chatting with PC Gamer, and suddenly, Brandon Adler drops a bomb about The Outer Worlds 2. Dude goes, “Yeah, we’re dialing down the silly. Getting darker this time.” Kind of thanks to Leonard Boyarsky’s influence, apparently. This guy’s all about that mood, y’know? Makes you wonder if he wants to scare himself or us more.

Boyarsky, by the way, is this Fallout legend. Worked with Tim Cain back in the day. But uh, Cain’s out of the whole development game now, so guess Boyarsky’s taking the reins.

Not sure why, but I’m totally on board with this “darker” twist. The first game was all laughs and action, but sometimes, honestly, the jokes felt like that moment when you laugh in a sad movie scene—awkward. Felt like I missed some serious punches because of it.

The game has factions in it, three to be exact. Verrrrry sketchy bunch. Protectorate: think ‘obey, don’t think.’ Auntie’s Choice? They disguise their multi-option nonsense in freedom wrappings. And The Order of the Ascendant? Basically, future-predicting scientists who decided lab coats could be holy vestments. So yeah, can’t wait to see how this chaos plays out.

Oh, and the companions! They seem a bit… off? Aza’s a violence-loving cultist, and you get to either calm her or, you know, nudge her into more chaos. Then, Marisol’s got her assassin vibe, unfinished murder business and all. Tristan acts like he’s delivering justice, but feels closer to an avenger than judge.

Now, is it weird that I’m kinda hoping they let us push these companions’ buttons? Like, if you’re reminding me of Baldur’s Gate 3, you better deliver on complexity. Less goofiness, just more… texture?

I don’t know if a somber story fits everyone’s taste, but hey, I’m curious. October can’t come quickly enough. The 29th, by the way. Mark it down if you’re into this stuff. Comes out on Windows PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and hey, if you’ve got Xbox Game Pass, you’re golden. Here’s to fewer distractions and more juicy plot, right?