Obsidian and the Evolution of RPGs: From Fallout New Vegas to The Outer Worlds

Introduction

• 2010: Obsidian releases Fallout New Vegas
  • Considered their masterpiece
  • Developer known for exceptional RPGs
• Other Obsidian successes: KOTOR 2, South Park: The Stick of Truth, Pillars of Eternity, Tyranny
• 2017: Announcement of The Outer Worlds
  • Created by Tim Cain and Leonard Boyarski (original Fallout)
  • High expectations from the RPG community
• 2019: Release of The Outer Worlds
  • Mixed reception: “best game of recent years” to “just alright”

First Impressions and Context

• Announcement and presentation at Game Awards 2018
• Mixed reception after release
  • Many players disappointed compared to pre-launch hype
  • Divergent opinions from players and critics

Themes and Narrative Context

• Universe: Corporations control and monetize all space resources
  • Reference to Jeff Bezos and his involvement in space exploration
  • Promise of new life for colonists: 10 years in cryogenic sleep
• Main character: Colonist on the way to join the corporate workforce

Character Creation and Mechanics

• Basic Attributes: Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Perception, Charm, Temperament
• Possible Builds: melee, firearms, companion
• Skills: 18 skills divided into 7 main categories
  • Investment up to 50 points in main skills before specialization
• Abilities: Minimal bonuses, more descriptive than useful
• Perks: From level 2, then every 2 levels
  • More health, better prices from vendors
• Physical Creation: Standard presets, rare third-person camera

Dialogue System and Character Backgrounds

• Story Beginning: Doctor Phineas Wells and awakening after 70 years
• Initial Interactions: Parody of corporate culture and self-centered corporate characters
• Dialogue System: No major impact on the progression of the plot.
• Secondary Quests: Involvement with paying burial fees and minor investigations

Gameplay and Exploration

• Combat: Mixed experience, blending mechanisms from 2012 shooters
• World Expansion: Limited exploration, consistency in local fauna and flora
• Difficulty: Normal too easy, weapon and armor play unvariable

World Exploration and Design

• Terra 2: Linearity issues, lack of initial variety
• Groundbreaker and Byzantium: More interesting in terms of landscape and interactions

Companions and Their Stories

• Parvati: Personal growth and relationship with Junlei
• Vicar Max: Conflict between religion and quest for knowledge
• Ellie: Toxic family relations and insurance supply
• Felix: Missed opportunity for deeper development
• Nyoka: Relationship with her former companions and personal development
• SAM: Cleaning robot and killing

Main Conflict and Resolution

• Monarch World: Managed by MSI and Iconoclast factions
• Main Quest: Chemistry needed for awakening of cryogenic colonists
• Final: Main decisions guided by script, lack of consequence depth

Conclusion and Final Critique

• Writing: Jokes prioritized over narrative depth, loss of player attention
• Mechanics: Combat limited by lack of weapon, armor variety, and difficulty
• Quests: Many superficial quests with little long-term impact
• Environment: Potential wasted by lack of biomes and variety
• Final Reflection: Enjoyable game if you turn off your brain, but lacking the expected depth of an Obsidian game

Outlook for the Future

• Potential for a Sequel: Need to improve every facet to achieve an excellent game