In a surprising turn of events, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 Game Director Daniel Vávra publicly critiqued Obsidian’s latest roleplaying game, The Outer Worlds 2. Through his social media account, Vávra shared his thoughts, rating the game 7 out of 10. He expressed disappointment that despite Obsidian’s access to Microsoft’s resources since their acquisition in 2018, the developer failed to innovate beyond the mechanics established with Fallout: New Vegas, which remains one of Vávra’s favorite games.
Vávra’s Critique
Vávra’s comments highlighted his desire for fresh game mechanics, arguing that The Outer Worlds 2 lacks originality. He noted the absence of new elements, questioning whether any mechanics in the game were not already present in older titles like Deus Ex or the original Fallout games. He called for a world that feels alive and offers more than static, scripted experiences. He emphasized the need for true non-linearity and dynamic worlds in modern roleplaying games.
When questioned about Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, Vávra defended it by stating it offers a simulation of thousands of NPCs with daily routines, contrasting it with The Outer Worlds 2’s more static world.
Innovation in Gaming
While Vávra’s preference for simulated worlds is clear, he acknowledged that this isn’t a novel concept, as seen in Bethesda’s games since The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. However, he did give credit to The Outer Worlds 2 for its improvements over its predecessor, noting its enhanced player choice and replayability, even if it didn’t introduce groundbreaking RPG mechanics.
The challenge of innovating in the gaming industry was also discussed, with examples like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s unique combat system. Vávra questioned whether games like Baldur’s Gate 3 introduced new mechanics or simply executed existing ones exceptionally well.
Reception and Future Content
Criticizing fellow developers may not always be well-received, but Vávra stands by his opinions. Meanwhile, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 continues to be a significant title in the roleplaying genre. Its final DLC, Mysteria Ecclesiae, is set to release next Tuesday, and the game will be available for free on PC and Xbox this weekend, offering a perfect opportunity for new players to explore its detailed world.