When I first heard aboutThe Outer WorldsI was overjoyed.
Developer Obsidian Entertainment is among the most accomplished, reputable, and talented companies in the industry.
After all, the developer just had to like gamers in the past.
Now its part of the Sony vs Microsoft console war thats about to enter its next generation.
Credit: Obsidian Entertainment
Luckily, I couldnt have been more wrong.The Outer Worldsisnt a concession by any means.
The Outer Worldsisnt the spiritual successor toFalloutthat pundits have made it out to be.
It plays a heckuva lot like theFalloutgames.
But thats a good thing.
I found myself walking through the games worlds with my POV fixed on the heavens quite often.
To callThe Outer Worldsgorgeous is an understatement.
Its not just pretty, its also graphically smart.
Thats not to say this game has thebestgraphics theyre good and modern, but not mind-blowing.
But Ill say it does have the bestuse of graphics.
And I mean that in the overall sense.
The music is compelling and perfectly unmemorable this isntGrand Theft Auto,I dont need a series of playlists.
I need cinematic accompaniment.
And the sounds effects are crisp, and immersive.
But where the audio really makes its mark is in the voice acting.
I savored every drop of dialogue in this game.
But its not just the main cast that shines.
The enemy callouts, and atmospheric conversations are wonderfully integrated.
It never feels like youre stuck in an I used to be an adventurer like you dialogue wheel.
Instead it seems like youre passing through a living set-piece full of people going about their own business.
Its hilarious and fun, and its often sad and philosophical too.
It never has all the answers, and often doesnt even ask any questions.
Ultimately,The Outer Worldsis a game that doesnt have a go at reinvent the wheel.
It is toFalloutwhat Starfinder is to Dungeons and Dragons.
It takes a recipe you like and reinvents it in a way that feels both comfortable and new.
In that way, its the perfect swan song for the Xbox One.
The Outer Worldsis far-and-away my favorite title of 2019.
And, yes, evenNew Vegas.
