There's a long list of inspirations behind The Outer Worlds 2, but its director knows that "people are probably tired" of hearing about one of them.
Speaking with GamesRadar+, The Outer Worlds 2 creative director Brandon Adler says that "the first game was the most important reference" behind Obsidian's upcoming RPG sequel. That should come as little surprise – rare is the follow-up that pays literally no attention to its predecessor – but there's another major inspiration that Adler also admits is one that fans might be a bit fed up of hearing about.
"We looked at all kinds of things," he says. "I know people are probably tired of me saying this, but Fallout: New Vegas was a big inspiration for us." If you're not up to speed with why people might be tired of hearing that, it's because Obsidian made New Vegas. That history with Fallout meant that when the studio came out with a stylized, anti-capitalist, contained sci-fi RPG, it was relatively easy to draw a line from Bethesda's RPG series to Obsidian's burgeoning effort.
In the end, I don't think it was a very good comparison, but that's another article. Thankfully, Adler had another reference up his sleeve: "the newer Deus Ex games." The gameplay in Human Revolution and Mankind Divided is some that Adler says he "really loves." It's a timely reference, given that the iconic immersive sim series is in the midst of its 25th anniversary celebrations, but since its future is still in some degree of doubt, The Outer Worlds 2 might be your best chance to experience Deus Ex for a while.
I have to say, a lot of what Adler is saying is making me increasingly excited for The Outer Worlds 2. There seems to be a real focus on sandboxy multiplayer, and an attempt to make you really dial into your own personal playstyle that I'm looking forward to despite having not entirely gotten on with the first game.
