The Outer Worlds is one of Obsidian's best games. Set in a distant space colony on the brink of collapse, you play as a recently awakened passenger of the Hope Colony Ship. You're lobbed down onto a planet and left to set off on your own. The Outer Worlds is a chaotic, funny, fast-paced RPG. You really do feel like an explorer, visiting various societies, encountering deadly monsters, and having fun along the way.
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Although there is a clear primary goal to strive for in The Outer Worlds (attempt to save the passengers of The Hope), your options in how you go about this quest are pretty vast. You are left to decide for yourself how you want to navigate the Halcyon Solar System. This freedom means that you can skip certain planets and settlements as you focus on your mission. This could include cutting out all of the dangerous Monarch visits entirely if you really wanted to. A lot of detail and care has been put into the various settlements dotted around the solar system, and they are all worth checking out. There are around 16 settlements in the game, but here are the best ones to visit.
Cascadia
You'll undoubtedly want to level up fast before attempting to visit this abandoned town. Cascadia was once a vibrant new settlement but was not quite prepared for the dangers of the Monarch wilderness. The game warns you not to visit here, but you have the option to explore it right away if you're curious.
The abandoned settlement is indeed quite dangerous, with some high-level beasts roaming its walls. But, it is worth the risk once you feel up for the challenge. There's a secret lab here to explore for some exciting loot. You can also explore the bridge and encounter Herbert, a recluse living in hiding with his pet Wooly Cow, Cystypigs, and a Food Service Mechanical. He has quite a tragic backstory. In fact, the entire town is full of exciting stories to discover.
Byzantium
Byzantium is the capital of the entire system and is where all the big players of The Board reside. The residents are a little pretentious, and it is easy to become a most-wanted criminal here. Depending on what decisions you make during the main campaign, Byzantium might be one of the last places you visit or even the first. The settlement is certainly far out of touch with the rest of the solar system, but its culture is fascinating in its own way.
This settlement has lots of hidden quests to enjoy. You can help out fashion Icon Celeste with her latest outfit design. Alternatively, you can become a movie star, securing your first acting gig. There's a lot to do in Byzantium, so make sure to take your time here and uncover some of its darker secrets (Especially what they do after retirement).
Fallbrook
You'll need to venture to Fallbrook during Vicar Max's companion quest. Fallbrook is a small town that Sublight runs. It's undoubtedly one of the more morally bankrupt settlements in the game. Visitors from Byzantium will often visit here to enjoy various vices. It's a nice change of pace from the more severe and strict settlements elsewhere and even has a lovely waterfall to check out.
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It is probably best to ask Nyoka to guide you to Fallbrook, but you can navigate the wilderness on your own to find it. It's located near the bottom right of the map, buried in the mountain. It is pretty secluded and a lovely safe haven to return to between adventures on the planet. You can even get your own private room here if you help out the town's intimidating leader Catherine with a few questionable tasks involving a nearby slaughterhouse.
Gorgon
If you thought Cascadia was tough, just wait until you visit Gorgon. You'll need a tough character build to handle venturing beyond the settlement and into the wilds of the planet. But, before you do, make sure to visit the Sprat Shack. It's the central hub for the various quests the settlement has to offer. The patrons of this settlement have plenty of charm to them and are worth getting to know, especially if you want to find out more about what exactly happened on Gorgon before you arrived.
You can visit the settlement on Gorgon if you have the Peril On Gorgon DLC installed. It's an action-packed, fun story and worth trying out if you fancy a challenge. The Shack acts as a good rest stop on your adventure. Also, while not technically a part of the same settlement, Peril On Gorgon gives you the chance to visit a fancy manor, where a welcoming but clumsy robot butler greets you.
Groundbreaker
The Groundbreaker was one of the first colony ships to arrive in the solar system. Since those days, it's become an independent station that the infamous Board doesn't control. You can visit this place as soon as you've escaped Edgewater. Many of your favorite companions have quests on Groundbreaker, such as getting to take Parvati for a catch-up at the Lost Hope bar or helping out Ellie's friend with her debt. So, you'll likely be returning to this settlement time and time again.
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Alongside likable characters and multiple fun quests, there are many hidden secrets to discover on Groundbreaker. You might find someone locked in a bathroom, encounter the remains of various crime scenes and even stumble upon secret routes around the ship. There's plenty to discover. Make sure to check out the Back Bays as well to meet quirky characters such as Captain MacRedd.
Stellar Bay
Although you could land in Cascadia and walk all the way to Stellar Bay, it's probably best to wait until you gain access to a Navkey to visit its landing pad directly. You can get this Navkey from Gladys Culkelly, the black market fence on Groundbreaker. Stellar Bay is built up as a dangerous, scary place, so it's exciting to finally get the chance to step foot there and see what it is really like.
Stellar Bay is full of fantastic characters to meet, and you get the chance to really influence their lives during your visit. You can set people up on dates, reunite a mother and her son and even settle disagreements at the workplace by any means necessary. There's a lot of variety, fun locations to explore, and the fate of the entire settlement will eventually be left in your hands as you progress with the main storyline. It is also worth checking out the abandoned areas of this settlement, where you might stumble upon a very strange family that invites you to stay for dinner.
The Grand Colonial Hotel
This outstanding settlement is a part of the Murder On Eridanos DLC. The DLC is fantastic and inspires hope that the game's sequel will be just as amazing as the first. There's so much detail put into this settlement. You've been urgently tasked with visiting the Grand Colonial Hotel to investigate the mysterious murder of Halcyon Helen. Still, there's plenty to do here while you try to solve the case.
The Hotel and its surrounding area are full of fun places to explore, such as an impressive (if slightly deadly) hedge maze. There's a pool, a wilderness retreat, and even your very own Penthouse. Your companions will all reside here during your stay at the hotel, giving them a chance to rest and relax. Eridanos is the most exciting settlement to visit out of all the planets in the Halcyon system, full of intrigue, action, and fun distractions.
No matter what kind of adventurer you plan to be during your playthrough of The Outer Worlds, you'll want to take your time in each and every location you visit. Get to know the locals, search for hidden loot, and admire the breathtaking sights.