The Outer Worlds 2 Promises a “Darker” Experience Than Its Predecessor

During this chat with PC Gamer at Summer Game Fest 2025, Brandon Adler, who’s steering the ship for The Outer Worlds 2, spilled the beans: this sequel? It’s taking a walk on the serious side.

“You might catch on that it’s a bit less goofy—a tad darker," he mentioned. "That’s Leonard [Boyarsky] for you. It’s like part of his essence or something—so that vibe, it’s pushed forward in the narrative. I think the whole storyline feels like it plunged deeper into the shadows this time around."

Boyarsky and Tim Cain, those oracles of Fallout destiny, had once paired up for the original Outer Worlds gig. But with Cain stepping off the carousel of game development, Boyarsky’s more shadowy vision came waltzing in.

Can’t deny it—this shift towards the dimmer side of things has me feeling all sorts of thrilled.

I mean, who isn’t curious to see where this twist takes us?

Honestly, when the first Outer Worlds dropped, the mix of comedy and action worked—sort of. But the humor? It danced awkwardly across the room at times, pulling me out of the gravity of the moment.

Dark humor has its place, weaving through the grit of a world, like in the Fallout stories. But, fingers crossed, The Outer Worlds 2 finds that sweet spot. Those darker, delightful scenes could really pop if handled just right—without the story going off the rails.

Actually, a memory’s poking my brain. Oh, Brendan Lowry—you know the guy? Yeah, he spilled the beans about our trio of factions running wild across Arcadia in one of his write-ups. We’re talking Protectorate, Auntie’s Choice, and the mad band called The Order of the Ascendant, each with their own curious, questionable antics. Just picture a tightrope of moral dilemmas.

And these companions, don’t even get me started. Got one who’s a violence-loving cultist (what’s her deal, Aza?) and then there’s Marisol, an assassin with some unfinished business. Even Tristan—supposedly the paladin of the lot—leans towards vengeance. It’s a hopeful wish, but maybe we as players get to sway these folks’ fates?

Anyway, it’s hitting in October, and I’m bouncing in my seat with anticipation. The shift towards seriousness and shadows could really transform the narrative. Sure, toss in some humor, but let’s skip the playful shenanigans of before. Let’s see what destiny October 29, 2025, delivers for Windows PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. Gotta love that day-one Game Pass deal too.