Welcome to our latest IGN First, where we're dedicating the entire month of April to exclusive coverage of *The Outer Worlds 2*. This is your first glimpse at real-time gameplay, showcasing a thrilling quest where you infiltrate the N-Ray Facility. This quest not only highlights several new features and mechanics but also demonstrates how the game is rethinking level design. One of the most striking aspects is the enhanced depth as an RPG, with developer Obsidian drawing inspiration from its rich history and even taking cues from immersive sims like *Deus Ex* and *Dishonored*.
The DNA of first-person RPGs has always been present, but *The Outer Worlds 2* introduces more sophisticated systems than its predecessor. A true stealth system is now in place, complemented by better tools that make this playstyle viable, including effective melee weapons and skills for silent takedowns. For instance, the health bar above enemy heads now features a purple-colored readout that indicates the potential damage of a stealth attack, helping you decide whether a one-hit kill is possible or if it's worth engaging your target. Enemies can detect dead bodies and alert guards, but with the right skill, you can quickly disintegrate bodies to avoid detection.
The Outer Worlds 2 Gameplay - Screenshots
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Later in the quest, you acquire the N-Ray Scanner, a device that allows you to see certain objects and NPCs/enemies through walls. This tool is essential for solving complex environmental puzzles and is equally important for stealth and combat strategies. The N-Ray Facility is home to cloaked enemies who are invisible to the naked eye but can be detected with the N-Ray Scanner. Failing to use it diligently can lead to unexpected ambushes, illustrating how gadgets add a new layer to the gameplay experience.
The game features several interlocking systems that influence your playstyle, emphasizing the RPG elements that define specific character builds. Stealth and immersive sim elements are just part of the expanded gameplay. Obsidian has also focused on improving gunplay, taking inspiration from *Destiny* to enhance the feel of firearms. While *The Outer Worlds 2* isn't turning into a full-blown shooter, it aims to deliver a more satisfying first-person shooting experience.
This is evident when approaching the N-Ray Facility with guns blazing. Movement mechanics have been refined to complement gunplay, allowing for more agile actions like sprint-sliding while aiming down sights. The return of Tactical Time Dilation (TTD) enhances the bullet-time fantasy, making it a key part of your combat strategy. Additionally, the inclusion of throwables adds another dimension to your arsenal, enabling dynamic moves like tossing a grenade, activating TTD, and shooting it midair to detonate it on unsuspecting enemies.
While there isn't much to reveal about the story yet, including the context of the N-Ray Facility quest, we can see how conversations have been refined in the sequel. In the gameplay video, you encounter an NPC named Exemplar Foxworth, who has survived a cultist takeover. Depending on your Medical, Guns, or Melee stats, you can choose to help her or respond differently. This segment also introduces a new companion, Aza, a former cultist who joins you to rectify past actions.
Many of these elements were present in the original *Outer Worlds*, but where that game laid the groundwork, *The Outer Worlds 2* aims to fully realize Obsidian's vision. Through early access and discussions with the team, it's clear that the game is keen on leveraging the studio's RPG heritage while exploring what a modern first-person RPG can be, drawing parallels to *Fallout* and specifically citing *Fallout: New Vegas* as a touchstone.
This is just a glimpse of what's in store for *The Outer Worlds 2*, and we'll be covering it extensively throughout this month's IGN First. Expect breakdowns of character builds, the new flaws system, an array of unique weapons, and insights into the game's expanded scope 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!
