Outer Worlds 2 Fans Are Debating the Game’s Lack of Romance Options

The Outer Worlds 2 fans are torn over the role of romantic relationships in the upcoming RPG. While the first game also lacked any meaningful love affairs, some players had hoped the sequel would take a different approach. However, the recent The Outer Worlds 2 Direct playfully confirmed that won’t be the case. In the 30-minute showcase, a tongue-in-cheek moment joked that players would be upset about the game featuring “so much combat and almost no romance.”

Previously, Obsidian Entertainment’s Avowed devs explained the studio’s recent move to drop romance. According to them, such elements are a ton of work, and they’d rather allocate the required resources to other core RPG features like combat. For Avowed‘s companions, the developers felt they could tell their stories more effectively without making them romanceable. The same approach now appears to apply to The Outer Worlds 2, though the decision has seemingly divided fans.

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the outer worlds 2 combat system weapons

The Outer Worlds 2 Shows Off Combat and Weapons

Obsidian shows how it evolved the combat systems of its sci-fi RPG with a first look at The Outer Worlds 2 combat and weapons.

Some Outer Worlds 2 fans support the developers’ decision to exclude dating systems, arguing the team shouldn’t be pressured to add mainstream role-playing features like love interests. They believe the creators should have full creative freedom to shape the game as they see fit. On the other hand, critics feel that leaving out these interactions removes a key opportunity for character bonding. Citing the relationship mechanics of Baldur’s Gate 3 as an example, they claim that well-executed love stories can deepen the campaign and enhance immersion.

Is The Outer Worlds 2’s Lack of Romance a Big Deal?

Despite the recent debates, The Outer Worlds 2 might still include minor flirtations, similar to some past Obsidian titles. For instance, Avowed featured a form of romance in one of its endings, even though dating was absent from the core campaign. However, even if The Outer Worlds 2 lacks such content entirely, it likely won’t be an issue. The first game was well-received without it, and many fans are expected to enjoy the sequel just as much.

Some have previously made the case for love affairs in The Outer Worlds 2, often citing a missed opportunity with Parvati, one of the first game’s most beloved companions. While players could express their feelings toward her, the relationship never evolved into a fully developed love story. For them, the chance to develop a more meaningful relationship with Parvati could make the campaign much more enjoyable and immersive. Still, plenty of players believe the sequel doesn’t need romantic subplots to succeed. They point to other successful RPGs without such features, like Horizon Zero Dawn, as proof that Obsidian can deliver a strong narrative without relying on love stories.