Obsidian Entertainment is preparing to raise the bar with the highly anticipated sequel to The Outer Worlds, which brought a fresh breath to the RPG world with its first game. The Outer Worlds 2 promises players a much broader and deeper experience. Developed with the power of Unreal Engine 5, this new game aims to surpass its predecessor not only visually but also with its gameplay mechanics and the freedoms it offers. This time, the game's developers invite players to get lost in wider maps and shape their characters in a much more personal way.
The exploration mechanics, one of the criticized points of the first game, are radically changing with The Outer Worlds 2. According to the statements of art director Daniel Alpert, players will now be able to freely roam vast lands instead of narrow corridors and limited areas. Thanks to the possibilities offered by Unreal Engine 5, every journey from point A to point B will be filled with countless side quests, valuable loot and interesting locations waiting to be discovered. This approach will encourage players to be curious about every corner of the world instead of just following the main story.
Director Brandon Adler states that they placed great importance on distant visual clues that would trigger players' curiosity in the map design. A mysterious structure on the horizon, a striking view or a smoking ruin will cause players to change their current route and head towards these points. However, these structures will not only be visually pleasing; each one will offer players unique rewards, engaging stories or new game mechanics when discovered. In this way, exploration will cease to be an activity done just to pass the time and become a meaningful action that connects the player more deeply to the game world.
One of the most notable changes to the system design is the removal of the character re-creation (respec) feature. Lead systems designer Kyle Koenig explains the philosophy behind this decision, emphasizing that players will now need to think much more carefully about how they allocate each skill point. The goal is to make character development more meaningful and permanent. Instead of having an average character in every area, players will specialize in certain skills and carve out their own unique place in the game world. This will encourage different playstyles and force players to face the consequences of their decisions. Which skill you spend points on at the next level will have a profound effect on your gameplay experience and reinforce the uniqueness of your character.
Another notable innovation in The Outer Worlds 2 will be a comprehensive stealth system. This mechanic, which remained relatively superficial in the first game, will offer players a variety of options in the sequel, such as infiltrating behind enemy lines, silently neutralizing targets, and avoiding conflict. Players who adopt a stealth-oriented gameplay style will be able to master this area by investing in different skills and overcome the challenges the game offers in different ways.
The Outer Worlds 2 is being developed for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. More details about the game are expected to be shared at the grand presentation to be held after the Xbox Games Showcase on June 8. This ambitious project from Obsidian Entertainment manages to raise the expectations of RPG lovers with its innovations in both exploration and character development. Players have already started the countdown with excitement towards a bigger, more vibrant, and more personal The Outer Worlds experience.
