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The Outer Worlds (2019)
A good formula that falls flat
Obsidian know how to generate emersive RPGs better than anyone, and the format translates perfectly to the sci fi genre. This game has so much going for it... the premise of a cosmic fixer, hopping from planet to planet, completing contracts with your fireflyesque crew is so easy to get on board with; the environment and set designs are as diverse as they are beautiful, allowing each planet to feel unique with awe inducing skyscapes; the gameplay, in particular, the combat mechanics are overall the best I've experienced from this studio; and the ship crew dynamic allows for a notable improvement in companion dialogue interactions from previous games...
Despite all this, however, I find this game falling flat and feeling a bit soulless. The studio has relied too heavily on hoping fans would fall in love with the concept enough to ignore the real lack of compelling plot in this game. The overarching story was very dull, having to win the support of different factions whilst fighting the generic greedy corporations.. the choices or customisation of your character dont really matter, all leading to the same lackluster ending.. like previous works most the game is taken up with side missions which are mostly as forgettable as the main quests, where the biggest challenge is concentrating enough to remember which faction leader's laundry you said you'd deliver first.. I feel corners have also been cut with the map designs where as many NPCs have been cramed into as small a space as possible, making the worlds feel more cartoonish than imersive...
All in all, I feel this game is evidence that a Sci Fi RPG could be a real hit, and if more effort was was put into the plot and character development to make the game come alive, then Obsidian would have had a winner here. However, imo it falls short and feels incomplete. I still had fun with the look & feel of this game and it's fine for a one time playthrough.