Author:
Simulacrum
<
nub
>
99.67.112.42
Use
this link
if you want to link to this message and its entire thread of discussion.
Date:
6/2/2021 8:42:52 AM
Subject:
RE: Outer Worlds impressions so far
Okay, I'm refreshed and ready to discuss writing and character creation/development.
I cannot deny that Obsidian excels at writing. I won't say they're the gold standard for RPG story building or character realization, but their pedigree goes back to Black Isle, who in my opinion really did achieve gold standard in titles like Planescape: Torment and the Icewind Dale games. In any case, Outer Worlds features a more or less adequate space fantasy world made unique by an interesting series of ethical dilemmas. These dilemmas emerge from certain factions' chafing against a deeply entrenched corporate ideology. You would think that the corps must be put down and the pipples must arise in all their newly actualized glory, etc., etc. However, the game rises above Hollywood idiocy by complicating the idea of freedom. What might be lost when you break away from the relative safety of a corporate regime? The corporations are irresponsible and oppressive, but what will it take to dislodge the beliefs they have inculcated in their workforces for generations? What will be the consequences when you're on your own with no corporate infrastructure, bad though it might have been?
This is pretty interesting stuff, though I wish Obsidian had gone further with it. I have to give them a break because they aren't drowning in money. They can only do what they can do with the budget and time they have, and I think they've done pretty well here.
Another thumbs-up must be given to Obsidian's use of companions. These are generally well-crafted characters with interesting and often funny personalities. I have especially become attached to my engineer, Parvati, a sweet but rather naïve soul whose life has been rubbish but who refuses to be cynical. She has probably the best lines in the game, and there are times when I laugh out loud at some of her notions. (Interesting tidbit: she's the only companion who keeps a potted plant in her cabin.)
Some of the other followers have appealing personalities and interesting back stories -- Ellie, for example, is a chain-smoking physician who has decided to become a space pirate sawbones because of something damaging in her past.
Other companions could have been handled better. Nyoka is a loud embittered alcoholic great white hunter who happens to be a black woman. SAM is a janitorial robot who doesn't realize that his cleaning apparatus has been weaponized with corrosive acid. The potential comedy of these two characters could use more development. Others, like Vicar Max and Felix, aren't very funny and have dumb back stories, as if they were intentionally made to be off-putting. I'm not sure what happened here, but I suspect the old enemies money and time reared their ugly heads.
Next, I will talk about building the player character and how my companions are destroying the universe.
