Fans of space-faring adventures, prepare to be captivated! The Outer Worlds, a single-player RPG from Obsidian Entertainment and published by Private Division, takes players on an unforgettable journey through the Halcyon system. Here at Player Opinion, we’ve navigated every corner of this vibrant universe aboard our trusty ship, “The Unreliable,” heeding the eccentric guidance of a mad scientist to dismantle powerful mega-corporations. Along the way, we blasted through countless foes, making for some truly thrilling times.
The Outer Worlds Game Review
Gameplay Experience: 16/25
Our experience with The Outer Worlds was one of mixed emotions. The gameplay is fantastic, with controls that are intuitive and smooth, particularly when played with a controller, reminiscent of the Fallout series. The overall balance of the game feels fair and equal, providing a generally satisfying experience. However, the engagement level tends to toe the middle ground. This is partially due to the limited relevance of in-game choices; many decisions, even drastic ones like murdering everyone, have minimal impact on the broader world. While the gameplay itself is stellar—pardon the pun—the progression and player engagement are average at best. The game’s rewarding progression system is somewhat hindered by these factors, resulting in a gameplay experience that is enjoyable yet lacks significant depth and consequence.
Presentation & Immersion: 19/25
Our journey in The Outer Worlds begins with a rescue by the eccentric scientist Phineas Welles, who tasks us with liberating the Halcyon system from the grip of “The Board,” a coalition of mega-corporations. This intriguing premise sets the stage for an engaging adventure. The environments across the various planets are visually stunning, blending art styles similar to Bioshock Infinite and Fallout 4. Despite this, the worlds often feel empty, with vast open areas and deserted streets. While there are mobs to fight and NPCs to interact with, the sense of immersion can be sporadic. The sound design is excellent, featuring witty and interesting audio cues that enhance the experience. Additionally, the in-game HUD is well-designed, maximizing the field of view and minimizing screen clutter, which ties the presentation together nicely.
Design & Technical: 17/25
The Outer Worlds is generally well-crafted and functions as you’d expect from an FPS. The combat is engaging and enjoyable, though the AI, while presenting some challenge, often comes across as simplistic. Towards the end of our playthrough, we found the final encounters disappointingly easy. The in-game settings are mostly flexible but not particularly extensive, reinforcing our impression of the game’s overall averageness. It’s a decent game, but there are no surprises to be had here. We experienced no technical issues, but the game’s content is a significant drawback. We averaged about 35 hours to complete the game, including all side quests and map clearing, which makes it feel like a testing ground for Obsidian Entertainment rather than a fully invested project.
The Skinny About The Outer Worlds
Final Considerations: 20/25
Reflecting on our experience with The Outer Worlds (Steam Link), we found it to be an enjoyable game overall. While it offers several hours of entertainment, its replay value is somewhat limited, which affects its value proposition unless purchased on sale. We suggest aiming for a dollar per hour of gameplay for optimal value. Despite its flaws, there is hope that The Outer Worlds 2 will improve upon these aspects in the future. For now, we recommend this title for its fun factor and the somewhat unique experience of navigating the Halcyon system. Sometimes, the simple enjoyment of a game like this is worth the investment. So, switch off and get about The Unreliable on your journey through the stars!
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