For gaming enthusiasts, November is usually an exciting time as new titles often release to great fanfare. For the Diamond household, however, it was an unexpected disappointment when Outer Worlds 2 failed to meet their expectations.
The original Outer Worlds left a lasting impression on the family - with its art nouveau aesthetic and witty dialogue, they became fully immersed in the game's world of mystery and rebellion against corporate overlords. The combat wasn't groundbreaking, but that didn't deter them from enjoying the game. What the kids enjoyed most was their dad's frantic attempts to complete the final boss battle, which ultimately ended with a defeat.
My son, however, had a very different experience when he played Outer Worlds 2 first. He warned his father that he wouldn't enjoy it, citing the lack of heart and soul in the game as the main reason. When I finally succumbed after 20 hours of playtime on the third planet, my son gloated about being right.
A closer examination reveals that what makes RPGs so appealing lies not just in their engaging storylines or memorable characters, but also in the sense of meritocracy they provide to players. According to the author, games like Outer Worlds 2 represent a world where anyone can progress regardless of talent or skill level, thanks to hard work and dedication. This resonates particularly with an increasingly difficult real-world landscape that values success over fairness.
What ultimately matters most is not whether the game itself meets expectations but how it sparks meaningful conversations and strengthens relationships among gamers and non-gamers alike.
The original Outer Worlds left a lasting impression on the family - with its art nouveau aesthetic and witty dialogue, they became fully immersed in the game's world of mystery and rebellion against corporate overlords. The combat wasn't groundbreaking, but that didn't deter them from enjoying the game. What the kids enjoyed most was their dad's frantic attempts to complete the final boss battle, which ultimately ended with a defeat.
My son, however, had a very different experience when he played Outer Worlds 2 first. He warned his father that he wouldn't enjoy it, citing the lack of heart and soul in the game as the main reason. When I finally succumbed after 20 hours of playtime on the third planet, my son gloated about being right.
A closer examination reveals that what makes RPGs so appealing lies not just in their engaging storylines or memorable characters, but also in the sense of meritocracy they provide to players. According to the author, games like Outer Worlds 2 represent a world where anyone can progress regardless of talent or skill level, thanks to hard work and dedication. This resonates particularly with an increasingly difficult real-world landscape that values success over fairness.
What ultimately matters most is not whether the game itself meets expectations but how it sparks meaningful conversations and strengthens relationships among gamers and non-gamers alike.
But honestly, what's more interesting to me is how gaming reflects our real-life values - fairness vs success. In a world that's getting more cutthroat by the day, it's refreshing to see games like Outer Worlds 2 where anyone can still level up with hard work. 
It's all about perspective, right? Maybe they just didn't connect on a personal level, but I'd rather have that kind of disappointment conversation starter than someone else's bitter gaming rant 
. They're right, it didn't live up to their hype, and the game's lack of heart and soul is pretty evident. But what's more important here is how they're analyzing the game from a different angle - like, what makes RPGs so appealing isn't just about the gameplay, but about the sense of progression and meritocracy 
. It's actually kinda deep, right? I mean, in today's world where success seems to be all about talent and luck, it's refreshing to see games that promote hard work and dedication over innate skills 
. And let's be real, gaming is all about shared experiences with our loved ones, so even if the game itself isn't perfect, the memories we make while playing together are what truly matter 
.
. Anyway, back to the article... what really stood out to me was that it wasn't just about the game itself, but how it affects people. I mean, my brother played Outer Worlds 2 and didn't enjoy it at all 
. But then his dad got into it and had a blast... I think that's what makes gaming so special - it can bring people together in weird ways 
.
. But gaming also shows us that anyone can succeed if they put in the effort. I think that's a really cool thing...
but at the same time i can see what the author means about the sense of meritocracy in rpgs maybe that's why games are still so popular nowadays people love being able to feel accomplished even if they're not super good at something 
. The author makes a great point that RPGs provide a sense of agency and progression, regardless of skill level, which can be super empowering. And let's not forget the nostalgia factor - who doesn't have a favorite game from their childhood that they still hold close to heart 
. Maybe Outer Worlds 2 just didn't resonate with them, but that's okay – there are plenty of other great games out there waiting to be discovered!
?
. So even if this game didn't quite hit the mark for the Diamond family, I'm still hopeful that it can inspire some amazing conversations and connections in the gaming community 
. Let's focus on what truly matters – the memories we make while playing together 
."
, i spent like 40 hours on it and was so hyped for the final battle but ugh it just didn't deliver 
. but yaaas ur son is right tho, rpgs are all about that sense of meritocracy fam! its not just about being good at combat or whatever, its about putting in the time and effort to progress no matter what