Eventually, the romance climaxes (perhaps literally) with a scene that may or may not include nudity. Usually, players will adventure with a suitor of choice, perhaps completing loyalty quests along the way. Romance becomes gamified in ways that feel unrealistic and don’t bring you meaningfully closer to your companions. That dynamic can change how many see their crew, and even the way they play the game.
In Bioware’s epic trilogy, which has an even larger and more diverse crew, you can romance many of your companions. When it comes to relationships, though, Mass Effect feels as relevant. Many will compare The Outer Worlds to Fallout, for reasons that are obvious the moment you begin to play. I felt like I had to look after them, even protect them. That moment changed my entire outlook on my crew, and my position within it. The Outer Worlds manages to address a visceral and genuine emotion - the fear of rejection - while seamlessly moving the story forward and putting you in a position to emphasize with Pavarti’s worries. That’s a complex, sensitive issue that games rarely care to consider. Between the jokes and good-natured ribbing, you learn Parvati is asexual, and fears her aversion to physical intimacy will cause Junlei to reject her. I had the chance to poke fun at the lightweight as she downs drinks with you and another crew member of your choice. Throwing back a few in a space cantina with your best friend is about as charming as a side quest can get, and it perfectly encapsulates what is so refreshing about The Outer Worlds’ take on relationships. One step of the quest sent us to a bar where Parvati, who grew up in a sheltered corporate colony, had her first taste for alcohol. You must instill enough confidence in Parvati to pursue Junlei, and what follows is a journey across the stars to collect the ingredients for a perfect date.Īs the quest progressed, I felt something I haven’t felt in an RPG’s for years. Instead of playing the part of a star-crossed lover (pardon the pun), you take up the role of matchmaker. Parvati is visibly flustered during your first meeting with Junlei, and as time goes on, it’s revealed that she has quite a crush on the captain. This somewhat seedy station is run by Junlei Tennyson, a no-nonsense captain and engineer trying to keep the Groundbreaker running with limited resources. Your mission brings you to Groundbreaker, a space station on the edge of the galaxy, operating outside the jurisdiction of the corporations.
Parvati, a shy yet brave mechanic clearly channeling Kaylee from the TV series Firefly, leaves a particularly strong impression. Many of them will invite themselves onto your ship, having their own motivations that are often completely removed from both you and your mission. The unique characters you’ll run the gambit from priests, to fearless hunters, to medics turned rogue. The game focuses on friendship, not romance, and it’s better for it. The missing romance isn’t a mistake, however. It’s a surprising omission, not only because it’s an option players expect, but also because The Outer Worlds’ colorful cast quickly earns your affection.
They’re crucial to your success.Īnd you can’t romance any of them. Your crew members can help you in combat, provide stat bonuses and buffs, and even increase your carry weight. You’ll have to planet-hop across the system to find the chemicals to wake them, and along the way, you’ll amass your own crew. The Outer Worlds drops players headfirst into a journey to awaken their fellow colonists from cryo-sleep when their ship is abandoned at the edge of space.
You can’t light some candles, crack open some cold Zero Gee Brews, and try your hand at romancing the game’s many companions. Players can explore vibrant alien worlds and futuristic cities for the elite, with adventure waiting around almost every corner. Problems in-game can be solved a myriad of ways and characters can be specced out to create various builds.
In The Outer Worlds, adventures are aplenty, planets and new frontiers abound, and players are never starved for choice. Note: This article contains spoilers for The Outer Worlds.