When I started The Outer Worlds 2, I figured I’d find a likable, interesting batch of companions. Writing strong characters is just what Obsidian does best, regardless of genre or franchise. What I didn’t expect was seeing it set a new standard for relationships in RPGs and outshining my former favorite, Baldur’s Gate 3, by fixing some of the biggest shortcomings in both that game and the genre on the whole. You can’t kiss your Outer Worlds friends, and they don’t turn into wild animals when aroused. But the process of getting to know them takes more thoughtful effort, and the result is a satisfying and less predictable influence over how the story plays out.