Obsidian Entertainment and Private Division’s 2019 action-RPGThe Outer Worldsintroduced players to Halcyon, a small star system overtaken by corporations and home to a very interesting cast of characters. The game became a hit, with gamers heaping praise on its writing, setting, and sense of humor, and a few years laterThe Outer Worlds 2was revealed with atypically irreverent trailer during E3 2021that echoed the same sensibilities of the first game.
The Outer Worlds 2doesn’t have a confirmed release date yet, and not a lot of details have been revealed about the game. Players do know there will be a brand-new star system to explore, even if there are still plenty of mysteries left from their time in Halcyon. There will also be a new crew of companion characters who will hopefully be just as engaging as the previous set. In a game that’s already packed with personality,The Outer Worlds' companions added an extra layer of humor, heart, and entertainment. Among the various NPCs that players could recruit, Parvati stood out as one of the best, andThe Outer Worlds 2should look to duplicate her popularity.
RELATED:The Outer Worlds 2 and Pentiment Prove Obsidian’s Varied Talent
The Strengths of Parvati’s Character
Games are becoming more diverse as the years go by, with a wider range of communities and individuals finding themselves represented. However, while queer characters are becoming more prominent, the full range of sexualities are not often addressed. Parvati’s asexuality and queerness is a refreshing change of pace, and provides an interesting dimension to her complex characterization. Although romance can be a part of Parvati’s story, her relationship with the player is centered around friendship instead (as withallThe Outer Worlds' companions), and this can lead to some truly touching moments.
Parvati is, arguably, the game’s best companion. She’s sweet, intelligent, compassionate, and friendly, and while it may take her a while to warm up, she’s easily one of the most interesting and endearing members of the Unreliable’s crew. It’s easy to see why she’s the first companion that players encounter, and being followed by the morose Vicar Max accentuates her worth. In a game full of questionable morality and corrupt characters, Parvati’s unshakeable views and dedication to what’s right are qualities that set her apart.
Why The Outer Worlds 2 Needs an Equivalent Companion
Parvati isn’t just likable, she’s also incredibly useful.Each companion inThe Outer Worldshas their own unique quirks and perks, but the mechanic character proves her worth by increasing the protagonist’s Persuade, Lockpick, and Engineering skills whenever she’s in the party. Although it’s down to personal preference, sometimes a player’s favorite companions aren’t all that useful when it comes to combat, and sacrifices need to be made when trying to complete harder missions if boring characters have particular skillsets over more interesting ones. But with Parvati, players don’t often have to make that decision.
Obviously,The Outer Worlds 2needs to make some changes from the first game and continue to build upon what its predecessor achieved in order to keep moving the series forward. However, there are still plenty of elements that players would like to see the sequel maintain, like its particular brand of satirical humor, the freedom to approach narrative and combat in a variety of ways, and the well-written companion characters available to take along for the ride.Parvati is unique, but a similar character could be the perfect addition to round out the player’s new crew, especially if they help broaden the diversity of the cast.
The Outer Worlds 2is currently in development.
MORE:The Outer Worlds 2’s New Star System Will Be Good for Its Worldbuilding
