At some point in our lives, we’ve all seen Film Noir, whether it be in our favourite TV series or an actual movie, the chances of seeing an over-the-top romantic drama are pretty high. You know the ones I’m talking about. The black and white, cheesy detective stories where a damsel in distress seeks out a disgruntled investigator in a last-ditch effort to solve a case. Generally taking place in the 1950s, there are mysterious shrouded individuals, gangsters, and an estranged lover, but whodunit?

The latest DLC to drop for The Outer Worlds, Murder on Eridanos, is just that; a classic Film Noir taking place in the Halcyon Solar System, and more specifically, in the exclusive Grand Colonial Hotel. The questline starts with Ada asking us to join her in watching the latest episode of her favourite series, Halcyon Helen, as she investigates the disappearance of her newest companion. The episode is cut short, drawing her weapon as someone enters the room. Her eyes widen as she realizes she knows the person, and the episode closes.

Moments later we are contacted by three individuals, announcing the mysterious death of Ruth Bellamy, or more commonly known as Halcyon Helen. Halcyon Helen was staying at the Grand Colonial and preparing to take part in a public announcement for Rizzo’s, Halcyon’s finest confectioners before she met her untimely demise, and her former partner, toss ball champion “Black Hole” Bertie Holcomb, is nowhere to be found.

Obsidian has once again done an amazing job in creating a unique environment that fits right in with the rest of the game. With Eridanos being exclusive to all but the wealthiest of Halcyon’s population, the surface is clean and luxurious, while the underbelly that houses the common worker is little better than the slums of Edgewater, and this perfectly encapsulates just how poorly the lower classes are treated by the corporations.

Surrounding the glamourous hotel are fields of orchards of purple berry, the main ingredient of Rizzo’s most popular products. Several new enemies have made their way into these orchards, including strange tunneling rock-apes, waspquitoes, used to pollinate and protect the orchards, and some overly enthusiastic workers, hosting some equally disturbing parasites. Lucky for us, we can find a host of new weapons to discover and a selection of armour to done, as well as some unique skills and perks to take advantage of.

The mission itself is quite simple, as early into the story you are given a device that not only warns you when there is a clue nearby but also shows you its exact location by displaying a blue energy haze when you aim through it like a weapon. Strangely, it also fires a very weak energy projectile, so it isn’t completely useless outside the main story. This did feel like the quest was holding your hand and guiding you the whole way through, but it didn’t take away from the gun, as the item seems to have some form of sentience and reacts to your dialogue choices as well, usually with equally witty remarks.

Once again, Obsidian have tied in extra character dialogue with the new NPCs you’ll discover along the way, and each of your companions will react to the various situations you’ll find yourself in their own special way, with some wanting to go in all guns blazing, while others want to help save the poor workers. Ultimately the choice will be yours, but your actions will, as usual, have an effect on how things work out.

Aside from the new weapons, armour, perks, and skills, there really isn’t anything game-changing added with this DLC. Your level cap is extended out to 36, meaning the end game experience might be a little bit easier, but nothing else will have much of an effect on your overall experience.

In saying this, Murder on Eridanos is a great little addition that offers even more replayability to an already expansive title. This is the kind of thing I like to see from developers; less DLC that reskin or add a few extra items, and more DLC that gives that bit of extra gameplay to the fans, and in my opinion, Obsidian Entertainment are the best at providing this.

Written by: Mathew Lindner