In 2025, The Outer Worlds 2 is among three games being developed by Obsidian Entertainment, two of which are role-playing games (RPGs). Unlike the high-fantasy game Avowed, The Outer Worlds 2 offers a science fiction adventure. One unique aspect that sets it apart from traditional fantasy heroes, such as the protagonist in Avowed, is the option for players to assign their characters with Flaws within the game – a feature that adds an intriguing twist to the genre.
Regrettably, during the 40-minute demo I played at Summer Game Fest, the emphasis wasn’t on examining flaws, but rather on combat. As a player who doesn’t typically gravitate towards games like The Outer Worlds 2 for their shooting elements, I must admit that the preview didn’t leave me particularly impressed. This isn’t a criticism of the game itself – the combat is competent – but it was disheartening not to get a taste of the new features while playing what felt like a rehash of the original game.
Based on my experience so far, if you enjoyed The Outer Worlds, then you might find its sequel appealing as well. On the other hand, if The Outer Worlds didn’t resonate with you, the demo I played didn’t seem to change that perception about The Outer Worlds 2. Even though the gameplay doesn’t have to drastically change, it can be similar to how Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 builds upon its predecessor, offering more of the same greatness.
After trying out the demo, I joined a collective question-and-answer session with some developers, where I inquired from Leonard Boyarsky, the creative director of The Outer Worlds 2, about how the game reacts to player decisions and expands upon the initial title’s idea of portraying a less-than-perfect protagonist who may not always grant the player their desired outcomes.
As I delve deeper into this game, I’m reminded once more of the importance of reactivity. If I take actions my fellow players dislike, they won’t hesitate to let me know. It’s a matter of time before someone says, “If you keep acting like this, there could be trouble.” Each character has their unique storyline that, as best as I can, I try to navigate. For instance, if I storm the headquarters of a faction member and start firing, I can’t count on them keeping quiet about it or assisting me in eliminating everyone.
In The Outer Worlds 2, your decisions significantly impact the game, and often, these critical choices can’t be avoided or bypassed. As you progress through the game, it should ideally become clear where you’ll need to make these significant choices. The developers enjoy creating scenarios where you might have to pick the least-bad option, which could involve your companions. For instance, if you have a companion who disapproves of an upcoming event, you may consider returning to the ship and switching companions before making that choice. However, even this doesn’t always prevent repercussions, as your companion might still confront you upon your return.
It appears intriguing! It aligns with the initial game, but it seems the repercussions of decisions could be more explicitly dire. I’m excited to witness this personally, exploring the novel mechanics and aspects in The Outer Worlds 2. Fortunately, we won’t have to wait much longer—The Outer Worlds 2 is scheduled for release on October 29 for Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC.
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2025-06-12 20:39