Everything We Know About The Outer Worlds 2

Just a couple of months ago, we got Avowed, but Obsidian Entertainment is planning to release yet another game this year — The Outer Worlds 2. The first installment was warmly received by critics and players, though without overwhelming enthusiasm: many Obsidian fans were hoping for Fallout: New Vegas 2.0, but instead got a relatively modest project. Could the sequel be the dream game they were waiting for? In this article, we've gathered all the key information currently known about The Outer Worlds 2.

The sequel is set in a brand new star system, where players will explore never-before-seen planets and their moons. Plot details are under wraps, but it's been confirmed that the characters from the first game will not return — the storyline is not directly connected to the original.

That said, thematically The Outer Worlds 2 still feels like a continuation. The setting remains the same, and all the hallmark elements of the original are intact. The story once again revolves around the rivalry of powerful corporations and satirizes many aspects of capitalism.

The developers of The Outer Worlds 2 say they've listened to players who felt the first game was too limited in scope. They set out to fix that by significantly expanding the scale of the sequel.

The locations are now much larger, but Obsidian made sure they wouldn't feel empty. Each area is densely packed with engaging content — from side quests and valuable artifacts to collectibles and environmental storytelling points of interest. On Dorado, for example, you can walk through World War I–style trenches and learn more about a brutal conflict between local factions.

The team also worked to differentiate each planet not just visually but structurally: every location offers various alternate routes and hidden areas to discover.

In an effort to make their next RPG more replayable and flexible, Obsidian is drawing inspiration from immersive sim classics. The goal is to offer a unique experience with every playthrough, and to support different playstyles with greater freedom.

Stealth, for example, has been heavily reworked. It’s now a fun and — more importantly — effective alternative to combat. Silent takedowns are more important than ever, and hiding bodies from patrols is a must. The game also encourages frequent use of a scanner that lets you see enemies through walls and solve puzzles.

Obsidian says the RPG system in The Outer Worlds 2 has become significantly deeper. Once again, the developers aim to give players the tools to truly shape their own unique character. That’s why the sequel allows for far more build experimentation than the first game.

Skills that were previously grouped together are now split into fully independent stats, giving players more to think about during character progression. On top of that, perks and traits now offer powerful and engaging effects that help define or reinforce your chosen playstyle. For example, for those digital maniacs who love wiping out entire settlements, there's a dedicated perk called “Serial Killer.” Pick it, and your character will gain a permanent health boost for mass NPC slaughter.

When it comes to traits, there’s a twist: for every two positive traits you choose, you must also take on one negative. Some of these penalties can drastically limit your character. The “Dumb” trait, for instance, locks out five different skills permanently — but in return, it unlocks hilarious dialogue options. Classic Fallout vibes.

Backgrounds also play a major role. Take the “Lawbringer” background — it helps you connect more easily with like-minded folks, which can come in handy throughout your journey.

But wait, there’s more. In addition to skills, perks, and traits (both good and bad), The Outer Worlds 2 also features flaws. These provide both positive and negative effects. For instance, one flaw reduces visibility but lets you regenerate health under direct sunlight. To unlock it? Just stare at the sun a few times, and the game will offer it as a choice.

Or, if you're the kind of player who tends to impatiently skip dialogue lines, you might unlock a flaw that gives you only 15 seconds to pick your responses. Miss the timer, and the game will choose for you. The upside? You earn more experience — and the whole playthrough becomes a lot more unpredictable.

In short, there’s an overwhelming number of progression options — but choose wisely. Once the prologue is over, you won’t be able to reassign your stats. Obsidian removed respecs to ensure that every decision truly matters.

Obsidian says that when it came time to redesign combat, they looked to Destiny for inspiration. As a result, gunplay in The Outer Worlds 2 is snappier, and the protagonist is more mobile. Sprint-sliding is now part of your arsenal.

To keep things fresh, the devs introduced a lot of strange new weapons. One gun never needs to reload, while another launches noisy drones that distract enemies with cheesy ads — and can later be detonated remotely.

Judging by the pre-release info, The Outer Worlds 2 looks like a major leap forward compared to the first game. Obsidian seems to be listening to the fans and finally making the game people hoped for back in 2019. And since expectations are more grounded this time, there's a good chance the sequel will be embraced with even more enthusiasm.

We're likely to learn the exact release date during the Xbox Games Showcase on June 8.

Are you excited for The Outer Worlds 2? Let us know in the comments!