The Outer Worlds 2 Will Be “Darker” Than Its Predecessor

During this chat with PC Gamer at Summer Game Fest ’25, Brandon Adler, the guy steering The Outer Worlds 2, let slip that this sequel’s ditching the silliness, aiming darker. Why? Well, blame Leonard Boyarsky. That’s just his jam, and he’s got a bigger hand in things now, nudging the whole vibe toward something more ominous.

Boyarsky, remember, alongside Tim Cain, shaped Fallout and the first Outer Worlds. Cain’s taken a step back, so here we are, embracing Boyarsky’s shadowy vision.

Honestly, I’m on board with this shift though. The first game? Fun, sure. The humor was a mixed bag—sometimes hit, more often miss, pulling me out when I least wanted it. Now, I’m all about seeing how they blend some heavy dark humor, like Fallout once mastered, without breaking the story’s flow.

So, here’s hoping for some macabre sprinkled in—but not too much. Just enough to keep things intense. Like, let those eerie bits pop without turning into a distraction itself.

The new colony world, Arcadia, is a powder keg with factions like The Protectorate, Auntie’s Choice, and The Order of the Ascendant. None particularly friendly, all with sketchy dealings. Yeah, you’ll have your hands full.

Now about these companions—they’re not your average sidekicks. Aza’s this cultist with a thing for violence—you can steer her from or to the edge. Then there’s Marisol, packing quite the assassin punch and maybe looking to settle some scores. Even Tristan, more like a vengeance dealer than justice server.

I hope they let us mess with these characters’ paths, kinda like in Baldur’s Gate 3. I mean, immersing into their darker sides or pulling them back sounds like a blast, right?

October can’t come soon enough when The Outer Worlds 2 drops. I’m itching to dive in, see how it all plays out differently from its predecessor. More seriousness could tighten the narrative, making it hit harder. But hey, a bit of laughter wouldn’t hurt—though, let’s keep that from overshadowing the drama.

Mark the date—October 29, 2025, for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. It’s also hitting Xbox Game Pass right away. So, ready or not, here comes the adventure.