Obsidian Leisure’s explicit taste of sci-fi company dystopia returns in The Outer Worlds 2, and we received an in-depth have a look at its newest first-person shooter RPG throughout a particular function section on the finish of the Xbox Games Showcase 2025.
The Outer Worlds 2 is a a lot greater sport than its predecessor, regardless that it is restricted to just one planet (the primary Outer Worlds had two planets and a handful of smaller asteroid and area station places). Obsidian is redoubling its dedication to a status RPG expertise and borrowing the most effective elements of its signature hit sport, Fallout: New Vegas, to take action.
Outer Worlds 2’s planet Arcadia is a harmful place, with landscapes and propaganda impressed by World Struggle I-era battlefields. It’s going to take your whole wits (and a correct construct and loadout) to outlive as you step right into a battle between megacorporate giants on the frontier world.
Here is what you need to sit up for when The Outer Worlds 2 comes out on Oct. 29.
Gamers will be capable to increase their construct in ways in which fully change how they strategy quests all through the sport.
Basic Obsidian RPG parts are returning in an enormous manner
The Outer Worlds encourages gamers to place talent factors into sure types of fight and expertise, however the sequel is leaning exhausting into specializing your character construct.
This time round, your character is an agent for the Earth Directorate, who’s getting into the center of a battle on Arcadia because the de facto “good man.” However there are three massive selections you make when creating your character that can fully change the way in which you play the sport.
Though you are a regulation enforcer, you get to decide on your character’s background, which is able to change a few of your approaches to problem-solving all through the sport. You generally is a by-the-books officer, a foul cop or a lazy louse a la Disco Elysium.
You will additionally get an opportunity to decide on optimistic and unfavorable traits that can change your dialogue choices and provide you with passive buffs and debuffs that have an effect on your construct.
Lastly, you assign your talent factors. The talent tree in The Outer Worlds 2 has been condensed down into fewer choices from the primary sport, however every talent level you spend is extra impactful. This can be a system that Obsidian Leisure has fully “borrowed” from Fallout: New Vegas, so it is going to be very acquainted for followers of that exact ARPG.
Your buildcrafting does not finish once you go away the character creation display screen. A few of the wackiest expertise within the sport are character flaws that get supplied to you based mostly in your gameplay fashion. For those who’re crouching round typically, you will get a everlasting motion pace buff, however your unhealthy knees will crack once you stand again up, alerting close by enemies. If you cannot assist however steal from distributors, you will get bonus money once you fence your gadgets, however your character will sometimes mechanically loot no matter merchandise you hover over.
These flaws would possibly make you develop cataracts, acquire debuffs for firing off a whole journal with out reloading and extra, and so they’re only one instance of how your construct and roleplaying expertise will evolve all through the sport.
One of many pleasant faces you meet is a sufferer of experimentation with animal limbs. Godrick the Grafted sends his regards.
New planet, friends and company propaganda
Whereas the unique Outer Worlds sport came about throughout a number of confined vignettes within the Halcyon star system, Outer Worlds 2 focuses on a single planet embroiled in a three-way battle between the authoritarian Protectorate, the altruistic Order and the ruthless Auntie Cleo’s company.
Whereas Auntie Cleo’s has a agency grasp on Arcadia, harmful fractures in area referred to as the warp are threatening the company’s backside line. All three factions need to resolve the warp for their very own egocentric causes, however they will not work collectively to take action. As a substitute, they’re vying for the participant’s assist as a way to win the facility wrestle.
You will not simply be coping with faceless factions as you gallivant throughout Arcadia. Six new companions are scattered all through the world, every outfitted with particular gear, expertise and character questlines.
Considered one of my favourite elements of the showcase was the Choose Dredd-like companion Tristan. Gamers can encourage his extrajudicial model of justice or curb his murder-y machinations.
It is likely to be value it to search out an alternate manner throughout the bridge simply to keep away from coping with these guys.
Completely different approaches to fixing issues
For those who aren’t seeking to shoot your manner out of each state of affairs, you will not must. Obsidian is dedicated to permitting you to shoot, stealth and discuss your manner out of issues all through the sport. And in sure eventualities, you could even determine extra unorthodox methods to finish the duty at hand.
The Outer Worlds showcase used an instance from early within the sport, the place gamers must cross a bridge underneath the Protectorate’s jurisdiction. They’ve a raptor drawback, and nobody is allowed to cross by till it is handled. Essentially the most easy strategy to acquire entry to the bridge is to assist the troopers wipe out the raptors, however there are intelligent (and unethical) options as effectively.
Gamers can simply as simply discover hoverboots to fly over the chasm, circumventing the necessity for the bridge solely. Essentially the most evil and self-serving gamers can toss their new companion all the way down to the raptors and allow them to get torn to shreds, making a distraction that lets them keep away from the hazard themselves.
For those who use your mind and interact along with your character construct, you will all the time be capable to discover a strategy to progress. It is one other key takeaway from the Fallout: New Vegas design philosophy.
Weapons have a bit extra character to them this time round, with particular reload animations and tuned-up sound design.
First-person taking pictures is not taking a backseat
Obsidian video games usually give attention to the RPG parts at the start. The gunplay is not an afterthought, nevertheless it is not normally something to jot down residence about. In The Outer Worlds 2, weapons are getting mechanical and vibes-based upgrades that can assist the moment-to-moment gameplay really feel much more responsive and thrilling.
Aiming down sights is now a smoother expertise, permitting gamers to extra reliably take crack photographs at enemies down vary. And new animations for weapon swapping, reloading and different gun interactions will assist enhance arsenal administration.
Weapon recoil has been mitigated to make extra weapons really feel like satisfying bullet hoses, and the sound design has been retuned in order that extra weapons sound crunchy and impactful.
There are additionally way more weapons to select from in The Outer Worlds 2, together with the introduction of throwables like frag grenades and noisemakers to assist flush enemies out of canopy.
Returning science weapons are getting buffs to deliver them in-line with the roster of recent devices and weapons.
A wacky array of weaponry
There are typical weapons, laser rifles and explosive launchers in The Outer Worlds 2, and many them. However gamers are actually going to need to search out the particular science weapons which have distinctive firing modes and results.
Some science weapons are getting back from the primary sport with buffs that make them much more viable, akin to the Shrink Ray, which now not wears off on enemies (and you may stroll over and squish them like bugs this time round).
Different science weapons are completely new treats that you would be able to add to your arsenal. There’s a tumor gun that fires exploding pustules, a gun that shoots arms that latch onto and maul enemies, a legally distinct BFG that shreds foes with warp vitality and a sword that does extra injury once you strike enemies to its beat.
Science armors are making their debut as effectively. We noticed one nasty fleshy bodysuit within the showcase, which is able to lash out at close by enemies within the midst of fight. The Outer Worlds 2’s new third-person digicam mode will allow you to see these armor items in all their glory for the primary time ever.
The Outer Worlds 2 might be launched on Oct. 29 for Xbox Collection X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC.
