Forget your space mission. The best bits of The Outer Worlds 2 are the distractions along the way, says our games critic Peter Hoskin

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The Outer Worlds 2 (PlayStation, Xbox, PC, £59.99 or included with Xbox Game Pass)

Verdict: Character building

If the world operated on pure logic, there wouldn’t be much demand for The Outer Worlds 2. The first game, released in 2019, was decent – a first-person RPG similar to Fallout, with generally solid gameplay and attempts at satire that didn’t quite match its space-faring setting. Consequently, the calls for a sequel weren’t very loud.

Luckily, we live on Earth, not a world ruled by pure logic. And on Earth, sequels can sometimes be even better than the original – exceeding all expectations. That’s exactly what’s happening with The Outer Worlds 2.

You begin as an operative for the Earth Directorate, a powerful law enforcement agency. Following a dramatic opening, you’re unexpectedly betrayed and left stranded in space. Now, your goal is to track down the person responsible and make them pay.

The game truly lets you begin as you wish. Throughout many planets, over dozens of hours, and through a series of engaging and often humorous missions, you can fully customize your character to your liking.

Okay, seriously, I’m already obsessed with The Outer Worlds 2! It’s not just about being someone in this game, it’s about who you become. Want to play a charming rogue? A backstabbing medic? You can do anything. And the character system? Forget everything else you’ve played – this is the most detailed and rewarding one I’ve ever seen. The coolest part? You can actually give your character flaws, and they’ll somehow end up helping you! It’s brilliant, I’m telling you!

Generally, the game is fun and delivers on what you’d expect, particularly if you enjoy shooting action.

One of the biggest improvements in this new version is the combat, which was a weak point in the original game. It’s now excellent, joining the ranks of the game’s other strong features – like the choices you make in conversations, the way you explore, and the equipment you use.

You probably already guessed it: The Outer Worlds 2 isn’t flawless. Specifically, the main storyline – tracking down and arresting the criminal – isn’t compelling enough to fully hold your attention, as you’ll likely find yourself drawn to other aspects of the game.

It’s been full of distractions, but this finally delivers what I hoped for from Starfield a couple of years ago: a universe I can truly make my own.

 

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake (PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, PC, £49.99)

Verdict: Roaring back to life

I was so thrilled last year when Square Enix brought back Dragon Quest III with a fantastic remake! And now, they’ve gone and remade the very first two Dragon Quest games – the originals from 1986 and 1987! It’s a little strange they didn’t release them in order, but honestly, I’m not complaining – more Dragon Quest is always a good thing!

Okay, okay, listen to this – it’s HUGE! So, the whole Dragon Quest timeline? It makes SO much more sense now! Apparently, the heroes from the first two games? They’re actually related to the hero from the third game! Like, descendants! And get this – they all do the same thing! They go around saving the world from evil, just like their ancestor did. It’s amazing! It’s like a family tradition of heroism! I knew there was something special about this series!

Both games now share a similar visual style. Square Enix has used its unique ‘HD-2D’ art style – a look they’ve become known for – when updating these titles.

You might have seen this style in games like Octopath Traveller and Triangle Strategy. It’s a beautiful combination of classic pixel art and modern 3D graphics, creating a look that’s almost like watching a miniature diorama come to life. It’s one of my favorite visual styles in gaming today.

However, the combined remake of the first and second games is noticeably different from the third – it’s a simpler experience overall. The combat, which is turn-based, feels quite basic and can be frustratingly difficult at times.

The first two games don’t have the same level of storytelling as the earlier installment, and they do feel a bit dated.

Square Enix has thankfully made a real effort to address previous concerns. This time, they’ve significantly updated the core games with completely new story sections and gameplay, going further than the changes made to Dragon Quest III last year.

That pretty much speaks for itself. The third game is truly exceptional and the best place to begin. However, this updated collection of the first two games is a solid follow-up as well.

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2025-11-04 11:34