The Outer Worlds 2

The Outer Worlds 2
Developer(s)Obsidian Entertainment
Publisher(s)Xbox Game Studios
Director(s)Brandon Adler
Engine Unreal Engine 5
Platform(s)
Xbox Series X/S
Release2025
Genre(s)Action role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player

The Outer Worlds 2 is an upcoming action role-playing game developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios. It is a standalone sequel to The Outer Worlds (2019), set in the Arcadia star system that has been colonized entirely by megacorporations. Players will assume control of the protagonist, an Earth Directorate Agent, who is tasked with uncovering the source of emerging rifts that threaten to destroy the colony amidst a factional war. The game is set to be released for PlayStation 5, Windows and Xbox Series X/S in 2025.

As with its predecessor, the game is played from the first-person perspective and involves alternating between various combat, stealth and dialogue systems when encountering hostile non-playable characters in the overworld. The game also retains its predecessor's dialogue tree system which influences the branching story paths depending on how the player interacts with their party and other supporting characters throughout the narrative. The Outer Worlds 2 began development shortly following the release of the first game in 2019, and had entered full development two years later. Tim Cain, who co-directed the first game before leaving Obsidian in 2020, remained involved as a creative consultant during production.

Gameplay

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The Outer Worlds 2 is an action role-playing game that is played in first-person perspective. Players can use melee weapons and firearms to defeat enemies. The game features an expanded selection of weapons, better visuals, and an increased focus on action compared to the first game, according to Obsidian Entertainment.[1] It will be set in a new solar system with a new cast of characters.[2]

Development

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During development of the first game, Obsidian Entertainment was acquired by Microsoft and integrated as a first-party developer for Xbox Game Studios in November 2018.[3] While the arrangement did not affect the game's original distribution plans,[4] Microsoft acquired all publishing duties for "future iterations" of The Outer Worlds from Private Division by May 2021.[5][6] A sequel to the game had entered development in September 2019, two months before The Outer Worlds launched.[7][8] In January 2024, The Outer Worlds director Tim Cain, who left Obsidian in 2020 and considered himself retired from the games industry, revealed that he remained attached to The Outer Worlds 2 as a creative consultant during its production.[9] Cain praised the game's team as they had "figured out" a solution to a specific problem the developer had continued to struggle with across all his previous titles, referencing production notes he recalled from creating the original Fallout in 1997, and he frequently assisted staff in identifying "pitfalls" in the game's overall quality.[10][11] In August 2024, Obsidian CEO Feargus Urquhart provided an update on the game, saying it "is looking incredible" despite conflicts with the game's planned production timeline.[12][13]

Release

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The Outer Worlds 2 was announced at the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase during Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2021, where it was slated for release on Windows and Xbox Series X/S as a console-exclusive.[14] At the time of announcement, the game had just entered full production, and the game's accompanying trailer broke the fourth wall by addressing the fact the studio did not have any gameplay or materials ready to be shown by then.[15] A full trailer unveiling gameplay and story details was presented at The Game Awards (TGA) in December 2024, which additionally confirmed a 2025 launch window, making it the second Obsidian-developed title to release that year following the studio's forthcoming Avowed that February.[16] The game was also now slated to have a simultaneous multiplatform release, with a PlayStation 5 version planned to launch alongside the Xbox and PC releases.[17]

The Outer Worlds 2 is set to release for PlayStation 5, Windows and Xbox Series X/S in 2025.[18][19]

References

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  1. ^ Stedman, Alex (2024-12-13). "The Outer Worlds 2 Reemerges With a Brand New Trailer - The Game Awards 2024". IGN. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
  2. ^ Carpenter, Nicole (June 14, 2021). "The Outer Worlds 2 announced during E3". Polygon. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  3. ^ McWhertor, Michael (2018-11-10). "Microsoft acquires Obsidian Entertainment". Polygon. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  4. ^ Hall, Charlie (2018-12-07). "The Outer Worlds isn't a Microsoft game, even though it's buying Obsidian". Polygon. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  5. ^ Hope Bellingham (2021-03-12). "The Outer Worlds: Murder on Eridanos DLC releases March 17". gamesradar. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  6. ^ Bankhurst, Adam (2021-05-24). "Microsoft Is Now Officially the Publisher of 'Future Iterations' of The Outer Worlds". IGN. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  7. ^ DeVetis, Anthony James (2021-11-26). "The Outer Worlds 2 Has Reportedly Been in Development Since 2019". Game Rant. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  8. ^ Xbox, Pure (2021-11-25). "The Outer Worlds 2 Has Seemingly Been In Development Since 2019". Pure Xbox. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  9. ^ Xbox, Pure (2024-01-04). "Fallout Creator Says They're Helping Out With Xbox's The Outer Worlds 2". Pure Xbox. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  10. ^ Hirun Cryer (2024-01-03). "The Outer Worlds 2 will solve a mysterious problem Fallout's creator has struggled with for nearly 30 years". gamesradar. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  11. ^ Randall, Harvey (2024-01-04). "Fallout's co-creator may be retired—but he's still advising on The Outer Worlds 2, and how it can avoid the 'huge chasms' of RPG design". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  12. ^ Xbox, Pure (2024-08-14). "The Outer Worlds 2 Is 'Looking Incredible' During Development, Says Obsidian CEO". Pure Xbox. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  13. ^ Tolbert, Samuel (2024-08-13). "Obsidian Entertainment CEO says development of upcoming Xbox RPG The Outer Worlds 2 is "going really well"". Windows Central. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  14. ^ Tuttle, Will (2021-06-13). "Obsidian Announces The Outer Worlds 2 and Brings Largest Update to Grounded". Xbox Wire. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  15. ^ Carpenter, Nicole (2021-06-13). "The Outer Worlds 2 announced during E3". Polygon. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  16. ^ Litchfield, Ted (2024-12-13). "Obsidian is about to make it a monster year for RPGs, with The Outer Worlds 2 coming later in 2025 after Avowed". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  17. ^ Kerry, Ben (2024-12-13). "Yes, The Outer Worlds 2 Is Another Xbox-Developed Game Heading To PS5". Pure Xbox. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  18. ^ Cripe, Michael (2024-08-20). "Xbox Game Pass Subscribers Will Have to Wait 12 Months or More for Some Of Ultimate's Biggest Releases". IGN. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  19. ^ Nelson, Mike (2024-12-13). "The Outer Worlds 2: This Sequel Features More Action, More Weapons, and More Graphics!". Xbox Wire. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
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