Obsidian Leisure’s explicit taste of sci-fi company dystopia returns in The Outer Worlds 2, and we bought an in-depth have a look at its newest first-person shooter RPG throughout a particular function phase on the finish of the Xbox Video games Showcase 2025.
The Outer Worlds 2 is a a lot larger sport than its predecessor, although it is restricted to just one planet (the primary Outer Worlds had two planets and a handful of smaller asteroid and house station areas). Obsidian is redoubling its dedication to a status RPG expertise and borrowing the most effective components 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 Conflict I-era battlefields. It will take your entire wits (and a correct construct and loadout) to outlive as you step right into a struggle between megacorporate giants on the frontier world.
This is what it’s a must to stay up for when The Outer Worlds 2 comes out on Oct. 29.
Gamers will have the ability to increase their construct in ways in which utterly change how they strategy quests all through the sport.
Basic Obsidian RPG components are returning in a giant method
The Outer Worlds encourages gamers to place ability factors into sure types of fight and expertise, however the sequel is leaning arduous 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 struggle on Arcadia because the de facto “good man.” However there are three massive decisions you make when creating your character that may utterly change the best way you play the sport.
Regardless that you are a legislation 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 is usually a by-the-books officer, a foul cop or a lazy louse a la Disco Elysium.
You may additionally get an opportunity to decide on constructive and destructive traits that may change your dialogue choices and offer you passive buffs and debuffs that have an effect on your construct.
Lastly, you assign your ability factors. The ability tree in The Outer Worlds 2 has been condensed down into fewer choices from the primary sport, however every ability level you spend is extra impactful. It is a system that Obsidian Leisure has utterly “borrowed” from Fallout: New Vegas, so will probably be very acquainted for followers of that exact ARPG.
Your buildcrafting would not finish while 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 primarily based in your gameplay fashion. In the event you’re crouching round usually, you will get a everlasting motion pace buff, however your dangerous knees will crack while you stand again up, alerting close by enemies. If you cannot assist however steal from distributors, you will get bonus money while you fence your objects, however your character will often robotically loot no matter merchandise you hover over.
These flaws would possibly make you develop cataracts, achieve debuffs for firing off a complete 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, buddies and company propaganda
Whereas the unique Outer Worlds sport befell 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 house known as the warp are threatening the company’s backside line. All three factions need to clear up 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 help as a way to win the ability 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.
One in all my favourite components 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 may be price it to search out an alternate method throughout the bridge simply to keep away from coping with these guys.
Totally different approaches to fixing issues
In the event you aren’t seeking to shoot your method out of each state of affairs, you will not must. Obsidian is dedicated to permitting you to shoot, stealth and speak your method out of issues all through the sport. And in sure situations, you might 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 should cross a bridge beneath the Protectorate’s jurisdiction. They’ve a raptor downside, and nobody is allowed to cross by till it is handled. Probably the most easy technique to achieve entry to the bridge is to assist the troopers wipe out the raptors, however there are intelligent (and unethical) options as properly.
Gamers can simply as simply discover hoverboots to fly over the chasm, circumventing the necessity for the bridge completely. Probably the most evil and self-serving gamers can toss their new companion right down to the raptors and allow them to get torn to shreds, making a distraction that lets them keep away from the hazard themselves.
In the event you use your mind and have interaction together with your character construct, you will all the time have the ability to discover a technique 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 deal with the RPG components at the beginning. The gunplay is not an afterthought, but it surely is not normally something to write down residence about. In The Outer Worlds 2, weapons are getting mechanical and vibes-based upgrades that may 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 pictures 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 carry them in-line with the roster of latest devices and weapons.
A wacky array of weaponry
There are standard weapons, laser rifles and explosive launchers in The Outer Worlds 2, and plenty of 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, reminiscent of the Shrink Ray, which not wears off on enemies (and you’ll 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 while you strike enemies to its beat.
Science armors are making their debut as properly. 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 will probably be launched on Oct. 29 for Xbox Collection X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC.
