The Outer Worlds 2: Everything we know so far about Obsidian's new RPG
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The Outer Worlds 2 is set to bring us to a new star system in what will be a follow-up to the first space-faring RPG from Obsidian. Officially announced back in 2021, we still don't know too much about the next entry beyond the fact that we can expect to meet a fresh crew in a different setting. But as one of the major upcoming Obsidian games in the works - alongside the first-person fantasy RPG Avowed - it's certainly an exciting prospect.
Among the lineup of upcoming Xbox Series X games we have to look forward to that's set to come to Game Pass, it'll be interesting to see if more The Outer Worlds news comes out in a few months' time since we didn't get any announcements during the recent Xbox Games Showcase 2024. We can only speculate for now. However, with Avowed being pushed back to 2025, we may see more of the space RPG sooner than we expected.
While we wait it out for more news, read on below as we take you through everything we know so far about The Outer Worlds 2.
The Outer Worlds 2 release date
The Outer Worlds 2 release date is yet to be confirmed by Obsidian or Microsoft. The RPG is thought to have entered pre-production in 2019, following the success of the first game. However, you shouldn't go expecting a 2024 release.
Even with a rumored three years in development, Obsidian has had a lot on its plate with Avowed. The earliest guess we can estimate for a release date at the moment would be sometime in 2025 or 2026. However, this is speculation on our part and we're still waiting for more concrete news.
The Outer Worlds 2 pre-orders aren't yet available, but we're expecting them to go live next year when a release window will likely be made clearer.
The Outer Worlds 2 trailer
The Outer Worlds 2 trailer is beloved, and for good reason. It is self-aware, well-written, and pokes fun at video game trailers, riffing on common cliches to great effect.
Towards the end of The Outer Worlds 2 trailer, Obsidian teased that "the developers haven't finished the [main character's] design. Or finished the story. Or finished any gameplay that's actually ready to show. In fact, the only thing [the developers] have finished is the title."
However, the above trailer dropped a few years ago, so hopefully, we'll see a new teaser soon. Stay tuned for updates!
The Outer Worlds 2 setting
Obsidian Entertainment tweeted the following alongside the game’s announcement: "New star system. New crew. Same Outer Worlds."
The Outer Worlds 2 setting is taking us to a new world then, and while we'll be sad to say goodbye to some truly legendary companions, this is probably for the best. We're still light on details regarding this new star system, so keep your eye on this page as we update it once new information heads our way.
With The Outer Worlds PS5 seeming unlikely, owing to Obsidian being a first-party Xbox studio now, it's only fair that the adventure continues on with a clean slate.
Will The Outer Worlds 2 come to PS5?
I know many of you will be hoping that The Outer Worlds 2 PS5 is going to happen, but sadly that isn't going to be the case. The Outer Worlds 2 will be exclusive to Xbox Series X and PC, owing to Obsidian being part of the Xbox Game Studios network following its acquisition in 2018. The Outer Worlds 2 will be available on xbox Game Pass from day one, like every other first-party release from Xbox.
The Outer Worlds 2 gameplay
Sadly, The Outer Worlds 2 gameplay hasn't been shown yet. But that doesn't mean we can't speculate! Part of the charm of the original was the way it threw you into situations that could change depending on your choices.
Much like Fallout, you can choose how to respond to certain characters, which could lead to various branching paths in the story. The deep level of customization, not just with your gear, but with your attributes and skills made for an engrossing experience that scratched that western RPG itch.
In The Outer Worlds 2, we’d like to see an expansion of that -- with even more customization to allow for plenty of experimentation.
Another aspect many players would like to see in the sequel is a lengthier campaign. The first entry could be finished in around 12 hours (without venturing into the side content), which was considered "too short" by some. Even completing everything the game has to offer would only take you 36 hours or so.
Obsidian could expand upon its sequel by giving players more areas (or worlds) to explore. The first game never felt too small, but having more planets to explore would extend the longevity of the next game.
We’d also like to see a wider variety of companions to interact with. The ones in the first game were, for the most part, interesting and worth talking to, so we’d like to see Obsidian double down on that and give us more. The fact that our wish list consists of simply wanting more from The Outer Worlds 2 is a testament to how good the original is.
While we wait for more The Outer Worlds 2 details, you can read our guide on all the new games coming out this year and beyond. We also have a list of the best RPG games of all time if you fancy playing some classics.
