InThe Outer Worlds, holograms were an effective tool for their lone purpose. ForThe Outer Worlds 2, there are tons of possibilities for holograms to go beyond their original, limited functionality.The Outer Worlds 2should double down on its sci-fi roots and learn from the ways other games have used holograms, or build upon the existing technology with its own unique improvements.
Holograms inThe Outer Worldsoffer players a way to camouflage themselves and infiltrate restricted areas without being detected. All a player needs is the right Identity Cartridge for their Holographic Shroud Device, and then when players enter a restricted area the device will instantly disguise them as a member of the relevant faction. The player is then free to wander around these restricted zones, though the limitations of the hologram device leave a time limit with certain actions that will disable the disguise. While the Holographic Shroud Device can still prove usefulwhenThe Outer Worlds 2releases, it has plenty of room to take things up a notch.
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The Potential for Holograms in The Outer Worlds 2
TheBorderlandsfranchise offers one example of what holograms can do inThe Outer Worlds 2. A few ofthe best vault hunters inBorderlandsgameshave access to holograms with deadly combat capabilities. The Handsome Jack doppelganger inBorderlands: The Pre-Sequelsummons holograms of the character that come with a unique set of skills, for example. Zayne fromBorderlands 3can summon an identical clone of himself as a hologram, down to the weapons and gear that a player has equipped. In both cases, the hologram clones are incredibly helpful in the heat of combat as they help dish out damage and take their fair share of it to protect the player.
Another way thatThe Outer Worlds 2could improve upon its existing hologram technology is to allow it to become separated from the player. TheHolographic Shroud Devicealready has all the components it needs to “send out” a diversion that leads enemy characters and animals away from the player, not unlike inApex Legends. There’s an endless list of games that could be referenced for inspiration, but many stealth games have the player create a distraction with a throwable object or some other sound source instead.
Having combat-grade holograms inThe Outer Worlds 2is just one of many possibilities the game can explore, although it would address a related hurdle: combat clones and decoys could make the game’s Super Nova difficulty more accessible. Super Nova is the hardest difficulty inThe Outer Worlds,as it tacks on a few survival mechanics to the game on top of increasing the risk of engaging in combat overall. One of the main ways Super Nova is risky is that any companion the player brings into combat can be permanently killed. This mechanic allows players to miss out on the important storylines ofThe Outer Worlds’ companions, so being able to summon disposable holograms for combat would be invaluable.
Another route thatThe Outer Worlds 2could explore with holograms is to upgrade the identity cartridges for the Holographic Shroud Device. In the original game, players are only allowed to disguise themselves as generic faction members. The sequel can takeThe Outer Worlds’style of humorto the next level and improve holograms by allowing players to disguise themselves as specific characters, having drastic effects on dialogue encounters that players could easily manipulate.
The Outer Worlds 2is currently in development.
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