Obsidian Entertainment’s first foray into The Outer Worlds offered something rare in modern RPGs — a smaller-scale, choice-driven space opera filled with wit, style, and satirical jabs at capitalism and corporate greed. Now, with The Outer Worlds 2, expectations are high for a sequel that builds on that sharp storytelling and expands the universe in bold new directions. While still shrouded in mystery, The Outer Worlds 2 has already generated massive interest due to its acclaimed predecessor and the promise of a fresh galactic adventure.
Announced with a tongue-in-cheek trailer during Xbox’s E3 2021 showcase, the game teased its awareness of gaming industry tropes while revealing very little about actual gameplay or plot. But that self-aware humor is part of the series’ DNA. What we do know is that Obsidian is developing the game exclusively for Xbox Series X|S and PC using Unreal Engine 5, which hints at major graphical improvements and deeper world-building potential.
This article explores everything we know about The Outer Worlds 2 so far, what fans hope to see improved or expanded, and why this sequel could become one of the most important RPGs of the next generation.
1. The Legacy of The Outer Worlds
The original Outer Worlds, released in 2019, was a critical and commercial success. Built by veterans of Fallout: New Vegas, the game combined first-person shooter mechanics with a richly written narrative, branching choices, and a satirical tone that stood out in a crowded RPG space.
Set in the Halcyon colony, players created a customizable character and shaped the fate of corporations, factions, and planets through moral decisions and dialogue-driven gameplay. It offered multiple endings, meaningful consequences, and companions with their own personal quests and loyalties.
What made the game shine was its writing. It wasn’t just quirky for the sake of being weird — it had something to say. Obsidian’s blend of dark comedy and real-world parallels struck a chord, particularly in a world increasingly defined by dystopian systems disguised as efficiency.
2. A Whole New Star System
According to early teasers, The Outer Worlds 2 will not revisit the Halcyon colony. Instead, the sequel will take place in an entirely new star system, with new planets, corporations, and factions to explore.
This shift allows Obsidian to retain the spirit of the original while moving beyond its limitations. Halcyon was memorable, but it was relatively small. A new system means more room for creative world-building, strange alien ecosystems, and deeply fractured civilizations.
The opportunity to build new lore from scratch lets Obsidian stretch its satirical muscles. From war-profiteering companies to bizarre alien religions, the potential for wild and darkly comedic storytelling in a fresh setting is immense.
3. Visual Overhaul and Unreal Engine 5
One of the most promising upgrades in The Outer Worlds 2 is its use of Unreal Engine 5, which marks a major leap from the previous game’s visual fidelity. This transition will allow for more expansive environments, better lighting, and highly detailed character animations.
Obsidian has already shown what it can do with next-gen tools in games like Avowed. For Outer Worlds 2, this means bigger cities, more immersive alien worlds, and a deeper sense of atmospheric storytelling. Improved performance will also help with smoother combat and open-world transitions.
Expect better facial animations, more diverse biomes, and richly detailed interiors that make each settlement or corporation base feel truly lived-in. For a game built on immersion and narrative depth, these improvements will elevate the entire experience.
4. Companions and Character Interaction
Companions were one of the highlights of the first game. Each had a unique backstory, personality, and loyalty arc that unfolded across personal quests and in-mission banter. Characters like Parvati became instant fan favorites for their complexity and charm.
In The Outer Worlds 2, players can expect a new cast of companions — likely reflecting the moral and political diversity of the new star system. Obsidian has a proven track record of building memorable party members, from Knights of the Old Republic II to Pillars of Eternity.
These characters won't just be comic relief or combat support. Their opinions will shape quests, affect endings, and influence how factions perceive your choices. Their reactions to your morality — or lack of it — will form the emotional core of the narrative.
5. Expanded Role-Playing and Choice Systems
Obsidian is known for making choices matter, and The Outer Worlds 2 is expected to deepen those systems. While the first game offered branching dialogue and faction alignment, it was relatively modest compared to older CRPG standards.
For the sequel, fans are hoping for more complex reputation mechanics, more reactive storylines, and quests that evolve based on past actions over time. Choices made in early missions could lock or unlock entire paths later in the game.
Improved role-playing mechanics might include deeper backgrounds for the player character, expanded morality systems, and nuanced character builds that go beyond the typical stealth/talk/shoot options. Customization will likely be broader, from perks to social traits.
6. Combat Improvements and Weapon Variety
Combat was a divisive aspect of the original Outer Worlds. While serviceable, it lacked the weight and fluidity of modern shooters, and some players found it repetitive over time. The sequel aims to tighten up gunplay, expand melee options, and add more AI depth.
Weapon diversity will likely grow beyond the plasma rifles and sawed-off shotguns of the original. Expect new weapon archetypes, customizable mods, unique effects, and alien tech. Melee combat may also receive greater variety with new animations, combo systems, and abilities.
Tactical Time Dilation, the slow-motion targeting mechanic, is expected to return — perhaps with more strategic enhancements or class-specific modifications. Enemy design will also be key to keeping encounters fresh across planetary surfaces and interior facilities.
7. Factions, Politics, and Corporate Satire
Factions in the first game included various corporations, rebels, and religious cults. These weren’t just backdrop lore — they were the actual systems of power in the colony, and players could influence or destroy them through quests and dialogue.
In The Outer Worlds 2, new factions will play a central role. Players might side with labor unions, alien societies, outlaw mercenaries, or competing mega-corporations. Each will have ideologies, internal conflicts, and perks for allegiance.
Obsidian excels at writing morally gray factions, where no group is wholly right or wrong. Expect biting commentary on surveillance capitalism, environmental exploitation, militarism, and unchecked bureaucracy — all delivered with a sly, sarcastic smile.
8. Humor, Writing Style, and Tone
The Outer Worlds’ voice was unmistakable — irreverent, intelligent, and cynical without being grimdark. The sequel will undoubtedly double down on that tone, especially as the new setting offers fresh opportunities for parody and critique.
Obsidian has always walked a tightrope between comedy and tragedy. Behind the ridiculous commercials and flamboyant corporate mascots lie themes of identity, freedom, and resistance. The humor disarms the player but also provokes deeper reflection.
From ridiculous side quests to hilarious item descriptions, every layer of the game is saturated in writing that invites you to read, listen, and laugh — even when the subject is deadly serious.
9. Exploration and World Design
While The Outer Worlds was praised for its rich environments, some players felt the maps were too segmented. Each zone was large but separate, with loading screens and travel barriers limiting immersion.
With the power of new hardware and engines, The Outer Worlds 2 could expand into a more interconnected or seamless world design. While a fully open-world structure may not be the goal, larger zones with smoother transitions would enhance exploration.
Multiple planets with their own ecosystems, cultures, and hazards will be at the core of the experience. Players might encounter alien weather systems, radiation zones, or underground cities — all begging to be looted, explored, or blown up.
