The Outer Worlds 2 Brings Deeper RPG Systems, Full Third-Person View, and Fallout-Like Reactivity
Obsidian is back with The Outer Worlds 2, and this time, they’re pulling out all the stops. Revealed during the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 and set for release on October 29, the sequel promises a much more reactive, choice-driven RPG experience-something fans of the studio have long craved.
According to Creative Director Leonard Boyarsky, a bigger budget and more development time allowed the team to double down on their core strength: reactivity. That means your dialogue choices, traits, and skills won’t just affect how you fight-but also how you solve problems, navigate social situations, and explore the world. This is Obsidian going full Obsidian.
The sequel makes bold moves. Attributes are gone. In their place? Deeply impactful traits and flaws. You can be Lucky (+5% crit chance), Nimble (faster crouch/sprint), or even Dumb (which hilariously locks several skills but adds… colorful dialogue options). Choosing flaws gives perks too, like Overprepared, which increases mag sizes but penalizes you if you fully empty them. It’s an RPG playground where risks can come with strange and funny rewards.
The skills system is expanded too-expect everything from Speech and Sneak to Observation and Science. Then there’s the revamped perk system, which draws inspiration from Fallout: New Vegas but goes further. Highlights? Pickpocket returns, but so do wild new additions like Serial Killer, which grants you health by… harvesting hearts. Delightfully twisted.
Your character now has a more defined background: an Earth Directorate agent-think space marshal-with customizable pasts like Gambler, Professor, or Renegade. It’s still your character, but now with just enough structure to fuel richer storytelling.
Set in the isolated system of Arcadia, the story kicks off amid space-time rifts caused by malfunctioning skip drives. The region is controlled by The Protectorate, an authoritarian regime with their own narrative-and agendas. Multiple factions, each with unique perspectives, will challenge your choices, and your actions will shape not only quests, but the game’s world and media.
Yes, media-radio stations return, and they react to your deeds. Just like in New Vegas, you’ll hear the world echo your choices, reinforcing the game’s reactive design. And if you hated being stuck in first-person, rejoice: full third-person view is finally here.
Obsidian’s signature weirdness and flexibility return in full force, from sacrificing a companion to cross a guarded bridge, to being haunted by your own flaws in hilarious ways. It’s RPG chaos-and that’s exactly what fans asked for.
The Outer Worlds 2 launches on PC, Xbox Series S|X, and PlayStation 5, and it’ll be available day one on Game Pass. This isn’t just a sequel. It’s Obsidian, unleashed.