The Outer Worldswas one of 2019’s most acclaimed role-playing games, but it initially only launched on Xbox One, PS4, and PC. The promised Switch version will finally arrive this March, however, and it could very well be the only game in the new franchise on Nintendo’s console.
Releasing for $60 on March 6,The Outer Worldswill be available at retail and on Nintendo’s eShop. The retail version will not contain a game cartridge, and will instead carry only a download code. Considering the size of the game, players will need to ensure they have aMicroSD cardto install the game unless they have next to nothing on the system already.
Though created on a smaller scale than the Fallout series — developer Obsidian Entertainment createdFallout:New Vegas—The Outer Worldsdraws clear inspiration from it in terms of its storytelling and world-building. Set in a remote area far from Earth that is under the direct control of a corporation, the game offers unique twists on the first-person role-playing formula. There is a system in place that cuts players’ stats based on mistakes they’ve made, for instance, while allowing for ability point gains to offset the reductions. Story-based DLC iscoming this year.
Obsidian Entertainment and publisher Private Divisionannounced the Nintendo Switch versionin 2019. This was after Microsoft acquired Obsidian, making it a first-party studio developing games alongside the rest of its internal teams. One of itsupcoming projectsisGrounded, a survival game planned for launch on Xbox One and PC this spring through the preview program, Microsoft’s “early access” system that allows players to purchase a game ahead of release.
Despite being a subsidiary, Obsidian Games could potentially still release games on competing platforms. Speaking toGame Informerin 2019, head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty said it hadn’t ruled out still offering first-party games on other platforms. This could include a sequel toThe Outer Worldsif Microsoft determines that the game would benefit from the added platforms.Ori and the Blind ForestandCupheadboth eventually made their way to Nintendo Switch after launching as Microsoft exclusives, and the latter even received a special costume in Nintendo’sSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate.
