The Outer Worlds 2 Promises a “Darker” Experience Than the Original

Here goes nothing. So, I was chatting with a dev from The Outer Worlds 2—Brandon Adler, I think?—at this year’s Summer Game Fest, and he basically spills the beans that this sequel’s going to be way more serious than the original. Kind of a surprise, right?

“Yeah,” he says, “we’re throwing a little less humor and a bit more darkness into the mix.” Something about Leonard Boyarsky’s influence or whatever. Like, he prefers things on the gloomier side. If you remember, Boyarsky and Tim Cain were big names on Fallout back in the day. Now, Cain’s kind of stepped back, and Boyarsky’s running with the dark baton.

Honestly, I dig it. It’s like, sure, the last game was fun, but sometimes the jokes felt like, maybe too much? Like, pull-you-out-of-the-moment too much. You know what I mean? Dark humor could really make the world feel, I dunno, more… real?

And someone else wrote this huge piece on the factions and companions. The factions, man—they’re not exactly the good guys. You’ve got The Protectorate, where order equals happiness—or so they say. Auntie’s Choice, selling this illusion of freedom. And The Order of the Ascendant, doing their ritual-math-thing? It’s wild.

The companions sound a bit sinister, too. Aza, the violence-loving cultist, and Marisol, who’s got some serious unfinished business. Even “Mr. Justice” Tristan feels more like he’s out for revenge. I’m kind of excited, I think?

Anyway, these darker vibes and less zany moments might create a more impactful story. It’s shaping up to be a wild ride when it drops in October. Can’t wait to dive in and see how it all plays out—dark humor, grim factions, and all.

Mark your calendars for October 29, 2025. PC, Xbox, PS5… the works. And, obviously, Game Pass from day one. Let’s see how this new tone hits.