Obsidian Entertainment is a developer that has released a number of great games since its founding in 2003. The studio was started by a number of Black Isle Studios employees – the original developer ofFalloutand its sequel and the publisher ofa number ofBaldur’s Gategames– before that developer was shut down. Many of the former studio’s titles can be seen as an influence on subsequent Obsidian games, so it’s no surprise that it has produced some fan-favorite and successful releases given its pedigree.
Obsidian has been continuing its solid run of games in recent years, with the garden-based survival gameGroundedgetting a full release in September 2022 after a successful early access period and the critically laudedThe Outer Worldsreleased in 2019. The latter was praised for its engaging story and compelling worldbuilding, andThe Outer Worlds 2was announced in 2021. ButThe Outer Worlds 2isn’t the only intriguing release that Obsidian has scheduled, as with the vastly differentPentimenton the way as well, fans have a lot of unique video game goodness to look forward to.
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The Outer Worlds 2’s Specific Style
WhenThe Outer Worldsfirst came on the scene, it impressed gamers with its satirical humor, anti-capitalist sentiment, and colorfully eccentric world. It introduced players to an alternate future where a new type of space race had occurred, one to colonize other planets and establish corporate footholds across the galaxy. In this new stratified and corporation-controlled society, players must navigate the pitfalls of space travel as they side with either the nefarious Board orthe Halcyon’s rebellious colonists.
Not much iscurrently known aboutThe Outer Worlds 2, but the tongue-in-cheek trailer suggests that the self-aware humor of the first game will be continuing. WhileThe Outer Worldsallows players to explore a brand-new world filled with unique characters, creatures, and sci-fi settings, it does feel reminiscent ofFalloutgames, particularly when it comes to combat and aesthetics. Although it has a more lighthearted approach and its comedy is more apparent, there’s still a darkness to the story that feels in line with some of Obsidian’s previous games.
Pentiment’s Unique Approach
In contrast, the upcomingPentimentcouldn’t be more different. Instead of a fictional sci-fi setting, it takes place in sixteenth-century Bavaria. In place of a space-faring adventurer blasting their way across numerous planets, players control Andreas Maler, a journeyman artist whose life is upended after his close friend is accused of murder. The game takes players through a story that spans twenty-five years as they attempt to solve the mystery, as well as a number of other crimes and strange occurrences.
Instead of putting action and gunplay at the center of the gameplay,Pentimenthas a slightly slower pacethat prioritizes character development. The choice-driven narrative is comparable to the firstOuter Worlds, where the right choice wasn’t always entirely obvious and the consequences of player actions aren’t immediately clear, but both games seem to go about this in very different ways.
Both games may feature branching dialogue and elements of investigation as gamers piece together the story and interact with a number of NPCs, but other than that, they couldn’t be more different.The Outer Worlds 2looks to be another colorful, bombastic adventure among the stars, whereasPentimentis a muted and painterly narrative journeythat looks like the pages of an illustrated manuscript. The tone, gameplay, and genres of the games are diametrically opposed, and they show the range of talent within Obsidian’s development team, as well as its willingness to take risks.
Pentimentlaunches November 2022 on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
