The Outer Worlds - Murder on Eridanos: Review

Mxdwn has reviewed the DLC The Outer Worlds - Murder on Eridanos:

The Outer Worlds: Murder on Eridanos DLC Review

The second and final DLC expansion for the acclaimed RPG The Outer Worlds, Murder on Eridanos is framed as a detective murder mystery much like the previous expansion, Peril on Gorgon. This runs the risk of making the expansion feel rote, but Obsidian succeeded in crafting a story and world that feels distinct yet still appropriate within the game’s universe. But even just on its own, Murder on Eridanos is a remarkably solid expansion that remains consistently engaging from beginning to end.

The most immediately attractive aspect of the DLC is Eridanos itself. Since Eridanos is a gas planet, all landscapes and settlements are built on enormous platforms suspended high in the air, and this concept lends itself well to compelling art design. It is hard not to stop every once in a while and take a gander at the enormous thrusters keeping the platforms afloat or the long bridges that convey a fantastic sense of scale. Eridanos also makes great use of color; the environments heavily incorporate pinks and purples into their design, which effectively communicate the area’s artificiality and surface-level appeal. The buildings and settlements of Eridanos really lean into this design choice. The Distillation Station in particular looks like a Willy Wonka-esque pseudo-paradise, which perfectly conveys its role within the story. Obsidian really went above and beyond in making Eridanos feel like an appealing, yet slightly off-putting place.

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Despite some missed potential, Murder on Eridanos really is an excellent addition to The Outer Worlds and a perfect way to conclude its short line of DLC. It may not meaningfully test players’ exploration and combat skills, but it remains a compelling mystery to unravel.

Score: 8 out of 10