The Outer Worlds 2, the sequel to the hit RPG, is taking a different approach to character customization than its predecessor, and one of the most controversial changes is the removal of the ability to respec. 
For players who enjoyed the flexibility of altering their character’s skills and traits as they progressed, this might be a bitter pill to swallow.
The first game in the series allowed respecs, giving players the chance to change their perks and traits at any time. But Brandon Adler, the new game director for The Outer Worlds 2, has a different vision. Although Adler has worked on other Obsidian RPGs like Fallout: New Vegas and Pillars of Eternity, he wasn’t involved in the original game. He expressed his stance on respec in a recent interview with RPG Site, saying:
“We don’t allow respec. Lots of people love respec… that is definitely one way you can go about things. I personally want the player to understand their choices are permanent – they matter – and then they think more about their choices.”
Adler further explained that the decision was driven by his desire to create a stronger role-playing experience. In his view, respecs diminish the weight of character choices, allowing players to easily flip between completely different playstyles. For example, a character could go from being a master assassin to a persuasive diplomat and then back again, which, according to Adler, undermines the sense of commitment to a particular role.
However, players will still have some room for experimentation. In the tutorial area of the game, respec is allowed, giving players a bit of flexibility while they familiarize themselves with the mechanics. Beyond that, though, your character’s decisions will stick, pushing you to think carefully about how you allocate your stats and perks.
This approach has sparked mixed reactions. While some players agree with Adler’s vision of meaningful choice, others are concerned about being stuck with a character build that doesn’t suit their playstyle. After all, the fear of committing to the wrong build could lead to frustration, especially for those who don’t want to be locked into a character that doesn’t perform well in combat or other key areas.
Whether you love or hate this change, The Outer Worlds 2 is set to release on October 28 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S|X, and it will be available on Game Pass from day one.