Exclusive: 11 Minutes of The Outer Worlds 2 Gameplay Revealed by IGN

Welcome to our latest IGN First, a month-long exclusive coverage in April dedicated to The Outer Worlds 2. This is your very first glimpse into the real-time gameplay of the sequel, showcasing a thrilling quest where you infiltrate the N-Ray Facility. This sneak peek not only highlights several innovative features and mechanics but also illustrates how the game is reimagining level design. What truly caught my attention is the enhanced depth in its role-playing elements, with developer Obsidian drawing on its rich history and taking inspiration from immersive sims like Deus Ex and Dishonored.

The Outer Worlds 2 elevates the RPG experience with more sophisticated systems than its predecessor. It introduces a true stealth system and equips players with better tools to support this playstyle, including effective melee weapons and skills for silent takedowns. A notable feature is the health bar above enemy heads, which includes a purple-colored readout indicating potential damage from a stealth attack. This helps players determine the feasibility of a one-hit kill. Additionally, enemies can detect corpses, prompting players to use skills like body disintegration to clean up evidence swiftly.

The Outer Worlds 2 Gameplay - Screenshots

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Later in the quest, you'll acquire the N-Ray Scanner, a crucial tool for both stealth and combat. This device allows you to see through walls, revealing hidden objects, NPCs, and enemies. It's essential for solving environmental puzzles and spotting cloaked enemies at the N-Ray Facility, adding a strategic layer to your gameplay experience.

The game features several interlocking systems that enhance player choice, emphasizing the RPG elements that define character builds. Stealth and immersive sim influences are just part of the broader gameplay expansion. Obsidian has also focused on improving gunplay, taking inspiration from Destiny to refine how firearms feel in a first-person setting.

This commitment to improved gunplay is evident when approaching the N-Ray Facility with a more aggressive strategy. Movement mechanics have been refined to complement the shooting dynamics, enabling players to perform actions like sprint-sliding while aiming down sights. The return of Tactical Time Dilation (TTD) enhances combat with its bullet-time effect, and the addition of throwables, such as grenades, adds another layer of tactical depth. Players can even combine these elements creatively, like tossing a grenade, activating TTD, and shooting it midair to devastating effect.

While details about the story remain sparse, including the context of the N-Ray Facility quest, the gameplay video reveals tweaks to the conversation system. For instance, during an encounter with an NPC named Exemplar Foxworth, who has survived a cultist takeover, players can choose to help her based on their Medical stat or respond according to their Guns or Melee stats. This segment also introduces a new companion, Aza, a former cultist who joins the player to rectify past actions.

Many of these elements were present in the original Outer Worlds, but The Outer Worlds 2 aims to fully realize the vision that was laid out in the first game. My discussions with Obsidian provided insights into the new features and the overarching vision for the sequel. The game seeks to blend Obsidian's RPG heritage with modern first-person RPG elements, often referencing Fallout: New Vegas as a guiding light. This approach has certainly raised my expectations for The Outer Worlds 2.

This is just a glimpse of what's in store for The Outer Worlds 2, and what we'll be covering throughout this month's IGN First. I'll be delving into character builds, the new flaws system, the array of unique weapons, and the expansive scope of the sequel through interviews with key figures like original Fallout developer and creative director Leonard Boyarsky, game director Brandon Adler, and design director Matt Singh. Stay tuned to IGN all April for more exciting updates!