The Outer Worlds 2: Everything we know so far about Obsidian's new RPG

The Outer Worlds 2 is officially landing this October, and it looks set to bring us more RPG goodness from the same studio behind Avowed and Grounded 2, which both dropped earlier this year. Following the initial announcement back in 2021 that it was one of the upcoming Obsidian games in the works, we got to see our first proper look the new game during the Game Awards last year.

And thanks to more trailers dropping, a dedicated Direct releasing during the Xbox Game Showcase during the latest Summer Game Fest season, and another look at the companions during Gamescom 2025 - we also have insights from our very own Outer Worlds 2 hands-on impressions. All that's to say we've really starting to get a better idea of what's in store for the sequel, which promises to bigger and better than the 2019 sci-fi adventure.

From a reworked perks and flaws to a suite of improvement to gunplay, and much more, we've brought together everything that's been revealed about The Outer Worlds 2 so far. So, if you're looking to learn more about this big upcoming Xbox Series X games that's also landing on PC and PS5, read on below as we break it all down for you.

The Outer Worlds 2 release date confirmed

The Outer Worlds 2 release date is set for October 29, 2025.

The release date was officially confirmed during the Xbox Game Showcase 2025, with a new trailer dropping (which you can watch above) ahead of the dedicated Direct. The October date came after we got a 2025 launch window last year during The Game Awards 2024.

While we await its arrival later this year, check out Obsidian's latest release with our Avowed review.

The Outer Worlds 2 trailers

A new Outer Worlds 2 trailer dropped during The Game Awards 2024, and it finally gives us a look at the upcoming RPG's gameplay. With a funny voice-over accompanying the footage, we see some sci-fi player hubs, enemy encounters, tons of new shiny weapons, and some stunning environments. You can watch the clip for yourself above to see all the action play out.

This more action-packed trailer came after the initial Outer Worlds 2 reveal trailer dropped back in 2021, which you can see just below.

The Outer Worlds 2 setting 

The Outer Worlds 2 is set in Arcadia, an "isolated colony" that's run by authoritarian faction called the Protectorate. As explained in The Outer Worlds 2 Direct, the faction's dictatorship is said to be thematically based around the question of "how much freedom people give up for security and luxury". Founded by the inventor of the skip drives, the Protectorate is incredibly wealthy too.

As an Earth Directorate agent, we've been sent here to examine what's going on with the aforementioned Skip Drives, which are starting to damage space-time in a way that's fast getting out of hand and causing rifts. Every faction has a different reason for closing the rifts for their own separate agendas.

The Outer Worlds 2 platforms

The Outer Worlds 2 is set to come to PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PS5. While it was thought to be an Xbox Series X exclusive, Obsidian revealed it will be also be landing PlayStation's console in our first proper look at the upcoming RPG back in December 2024.

The Outer Worlds 2 gameplay

Everything we've seen of The Outer Worlds 2 gameplay shows it as generally bigger and far more fleshed out in scope than the first Outer Worlds in almost every respect, from the refined approach to the perks and flaws system to the scale of the star system we'll be venturing to. Factions and companions have also received a significant upgrade, with each faction having its own radio station and plenty of reactive adjustments to aid overall immersion in the RPG.

During the extended deep dive Direct following Xbox Games Showcase, Obsidian walked us through its myriad gameplay tweaks - starting with the mechanics of shooting. Guns "feel" better in The Outer Worlds 2 – from recoil and snapping down sights, to sound effects, and there will be vast array of different ways to approach combat depending on the skills, flaws, and perks you pick that will allow you tailor your style - whether the be gung-ho with goopy explosives, going stealthy, and much more.

The sequel will also feature larger environments, with Obsidian setting out to "encourage exploration with improved mobility across the board". With the ability to run, slide, double-jump, and essentially parkour our way across "nooks and crannies" of the worlds we'll venture to. The game will also feature seamless first and third person perspective switches to really allow you to customize your experience.

As detailed in an IGN First preview earlier this year, The Outer Worlds 2 is also set to put a greater focus on Skills over Stats this time around, with 12 different skills in total that speak to your character's strengths - with the likes of Engineering and Hacking being among them. Traits will also be available which act apply permanent effects to your character that work in your favor, or be more negative in nature.

You'll also have different approaches in conversation, with certain parameters such as specific skills and traits to pass particular speech checks - not unlike the first game. The quest also involves a puzzle making use of a device known as the N-Ray scanning device, which lets you see through walls to detect enemies. It looks like we're going to have lots of different means to approach situations both in and out of combat, in true Obsidian RPG form.

Both the IGN First preview and the Direct also delved into the the return of perks and flaws. In terms of the former, Obsidian has revealed there will be over 90 different perks, but you won't be able to respect your character because your choices "are permanent". This has been done because, so that you really have to "double down" on your character and commit to the decisions you make.

The latter is also more responsive to the way you play this time around. In the early IGN preview, one example shows how players that skip dialogue often can offer up a flaw that requires you to get through conversations in a set amount of time if you want to avoid a penalty, while another in the Direct is Bad Knees, which sees players moving faster for the duration of the game with the snag that your creaking joints might break your stealth cover at any given time.

Creative director Brandon Adler also spoke on the inspirations behind The Outer Worlds 2's gameplay in an interview with us here at GamesRadar+. As well as touching on the obvious influences of one of Obsidian's most beloved RPGs, Fallout: New Vegas, Adler also points to "the newer Deus Ex games".

For more, be sure to check out our The Outer Worlds 2 hands-on preview.

The Outer Worlds 2 companions

After some initial teases of The Outer Worlds 2 companions, a trailer dropped during Gamescom 2025 that showed off the full roster of characters who will be joining us during our adventures. With six different companions, each follower is said to be tied to a different faction and will have their own perspectives and opinions about the actions we take in the RPG.

The trailer quips that we won't be able to "sleep" with the companions, which suggests that romance may not come into play. But we asked Obsidian directly about the possibility of romance or lack thereof, and while Adler explained that it wasn't a plan from the beginning to include romance, it would only factor in if it made sense for a character during the writing process. It's still not completely out the question from the sounds of it, but we'll just have to wait and see if any kind of romance. For a full list of all The Outer Worlds companions, see the list below.

• Niles, a fellow Earth Directorate agent
• Aza, a cultist rogue of The Glorious Dawn
• Valerie, a little robot who's tied to the Earth Directorate faction
• Marisol, a scientist who's connected to the Order of the Ascendant
• Tristian, a hammer-wielding member of the Protectorate
• Inez, a member of Auntie's Choice who uses a rifle

The Outworlds 2 weapons

Alongside the dedicated The Outer Worlds 2 Direct, which confirmed gunplay has been improved in "every way", Obsidian also revealed it did a full breakdown of Destiny" and got advice from the Halo team to make it feel even better this time around.

With a suite of improvements for aiming, reloading, and sound effects, the Direct also confirmed throwables will be introduced for the first time, with the likes of smoke grenades, distraction devices, and science grenades that can levitate enemies.

Favorite weapons from the first game will be sticking around, too, with the Shrink Ray set to return in The Outer Worlds 2 - only instead of making an enemy smaller for a set amount of time, they'll stay downsized, which allows you kick or crush them.

New weapon types will be in the game, too, with a roster of inventive and wonderfully weird guns and melee weapons to wield in the sci-fi corporate-run universe. Various examples were given for some of the unique weapons we'll get to mess around - you can find the full list of new weapons confirmed so far below:

• The Boarst Blaster - A big gun that fires out tumors that explode like grenades or be consumed for additional health
• Rookie's Reward - A rifle-like gun that levels up the more you use it throughout the game, and each time it levels, it will shoot out confetti in a "fun fanfare" celebration
• The Pop-Up Gun - Fires out ad drones to distract enemies with corporate slogans and jingles, and the drones can also be exploded
• The Armageddon - A science weapon that fires out little arms that stick to surfaces or people and continue to hit what they've landed on
• The Spectrum Dance Saber - a sword-like melee weapon that sees you attack to a musical beat and earn addition bonus for each hit you land in time
• The Big Bang - A big gun that uses material harvested from rifts to shoot out a giant ball of energy that vaporizes everything in its path (ammo is extremely rare)
• Gary - living science armor. When wearing Gary, he will lash out at foes

Can I pre-order The Outer Worlds 2?

The Outer Worlds 2 is now available to pre-order across all platforms. Obsidian confirmed the upcoming sci-fi adventure can now be pre-ordered at the closing the Outer Worlds 2 Direct, with two different editions to choose from.

The Outer Worlds 2 standard edition costs $79.99 / £69.99 and will come with a Commander Zane Anti-Monopolistic Battle Pack.

The Outer Worlds 2 premium edition clocks in at $99.99 / £89.99 and will get you up to five days Early Access ahead of launch, the DLC pass for two future story expansions, and the Moon Man's Corporate Appreciation Premium Prize pack along with a digital artbook and soundtrack.

While we wait for more The Outer Worlds 2 details, you can read our list of the best RPG games of all time if you fancy playing some classics.