I don't have any opinion on this directly since I'm waiting for a Steam release (and a substantial) discount on Outer Worlds, but I can't help but notice that your critique is an almost 1:1 match for JarlFrank's critque of Age of Decadence. There may be some people who simply can't stand the CYOA system of laying everything out in dialog.
That's not the issue at all. You
don't do these things in dialogue. The issue is that this pharmacist woman is the roadblock. You need to get around her. You can just persuade her to give you the pills--fine, good. But there are two alternative ways to solve the quest: you can break into the store room or you can hack the computer--both good! The problem is that the woman who's supposed to be the roadblock directs you to both of these options. You don't need to explore or sneak around. What's the point of having these systems if you don't use them? You just follow her directions, which is weird because she should be the person who's trying to prevent you from breaking into the storeroom or hacking the computer.
The thing is, TOW is not at all a dialogue mediated game like AOD. You actually have to act this stuff out in the world. But when the NPCs who should be trying to make your job more difficult instead go out of their way to hold your hand and make it easier, that takes a lot of fun out of the experience.
Edit: this is a pseudo open world game that rarely gives you the chance to be clever.
I've my own syndrome.
