The Outer Worlds 2 is eager up to have a moodier vibe than the first game, with less of the zany humor that divided some fans. According to game director Brandon Adler, the sequel’s writing will carry a darker tone, partly driven by its factions and a change in creative leadership.
The original Outer Worlds was known for its quirky take on corporate dystopia. Still, not everyone found the humor landed well, especially given the grim realities it satirized—think delivery drivers pressured to pee in bottles just to meet quotas. Adler explained in a recent interview that the first game’s writing sometimes felt a bit one-note, mostly sticking to goofier jokes. For the sequel, the team wanted to expand the emotional range and offer something different, so players won’t feel like they’re revisiting the same kind of humor repeatedly.
One key to this shift will be the game’s factions. The authoritarian Protectorate poses sharp questions about how much freedom people might sacrifice for security and comfort—a timely topic. Meanwhile, Auntie’s Choice, a corporate conglomerate from the first game, returns with a more cutthroat, intimidating presence as it invades new territories for profit. Adler noted that these groups felt somewhat bumbling before, but now they’ll appear scarier and more serious.
Part of the tonal change comes from the creative team. After the first game, Tim Cain, co-creator of Fallout and one of Outer Worlds’ original creative directors, stepped back into a consulting role. Leonard Boyarsky, another Fallout veteran, now serves as the sole creative director. Adler credits Boyarsky’s influence for the darker atmosphere, describing it as “less silly” and more serious, though humor isn’t disappearing entirely.
Adler emphasized that humor will still be present, just with a different flavor—less slapstick and more absurdity. Players can expect moments that poke fun at the world’s outrageous corporate antics but with a heavier, more thoughtful undertone.
The Outer Worlds 2 is scheduled to launch on October 29, 2025.
