The Outer Worlds 2 Should Explain What Happened to Earth

gamerant.com:

Obsidian Entertainment's The Outer Worlds was well-received when it launched in 2019. Its unique mix of fast-paced action, witty dialogue, and not-so-subtle social satire helped to set it apart from games with similar aesthetics or gameplay like the Fallout series, and fans were eager to see more of Obsidian Entertainment's new IP. With the announcement of a sequel, players had their prayers answered, and the first trailer for The Outer Worlds 2 leaned even more heavily into the franchise's particular brand of sardonic humor. With details about The Outer Worlds incredibly thin, fans have been left to speculate about what the game might entail.

The Outer Worlds takes the action to the Halcyon system, and that's where it stays for the entirety of the game. Players have a hand in shaping this system and choosing the fate of the inhabitants, but while it serves as a great central location for the first game, The Outer Worlds 2 is set to branch out into a new solar system altogether. This may open up new opportunities to explore life outside of Halcyon, but it could also provide some answers to what has happened to Earth, and why communications suddenly went dark.

The Outer Worlds 2's New Solar System Has Huge Implications for the Franchise's Lore

The Earth of The Outer Worlds is much different from the player's own. The game explores an alternative timeline, where U.S. President William McKinley was not assassinated, and a hyper-corporate, highly stratified society was created at the start of the twentieth century. Megacorporations have grown in power and influence, and by the time the first game takes place, they practically control all aspects of daily life. They have colonized various solar systems, keeping residents dark