Paid $100 for Outer Worlds 2 Premium? Obsidian Calls You a Sucker (With a Perk)
Well, this is a new one. I dropped a hundred bucks on the fancy Premium Edition of The Outer Worlds 2, and what's my reward? The game offers me a unique Flaw that basically calls me a mindless, brand-obsessed sheep. I feel seen. And slightly insulted.
So, if you also gave in to the allure of the shiny, expensive version, the game presents you with an optional Flaw called "Consumerism." The description is a delightful little kick in the teeth: "You're the reason our marketing works. Promotions and sales have riddled your brain, and you're more interested in buying the next big thing than financial planning". Ouch, Obsidian. Right in the wallet.
Is It Punishment or Perk?
Now, before everyone grabs their pitchforks, let's look at what this "flaw" actually does. Like other flaws in the game (Kleptomania making you randomly steal stuff, Bad Knees making you noisy when standing up), Consumerism comes with a trade-off.
Vendors will buy your junk for less (-10% sell value), but they also sell you their shiny new gear at a discount (-15% vendor price). As a Reddit comment rightly pointed out, this isn't really a "debuff" in the traditional sense, it's a gameplay modifier. It leans into the idea that you, the premium-buying consumer, just want the new stuff and don't care about getting top dollar for your old trash.
Leaning Into the Joke
Honestly? I'm taking it. Yeah, the description stings a bit after dropping $100, but the effect actually sounds pretty good for my playstyle. I do want the new shiny gun now, and I rarely bother haggling over selling prices anyway. Give me that discount, baby. Who needs financial planning when you've got plasma rifles?
It's a clever, if slightly passive-aggressive, bit of meta-commentary from Obsidian. They know exactly who buys Premium Editions, and they're having a laugh at our expense while still giving us a potentially useful gameplay tweak. Compared to flaws that make you terrified of robots or give you permanent concussions, this feels like a pretty sweet deal disguised as an insult.
So yeah, call me a consumer. My brain may be riddled by promotions, but at least I'm saving 15% on that next upgrade. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to see what the vendors are selling.