The Outer Worlds 2: 11 Minutes of Exclusive Gameplay – IGN First

Welcome to our latest IGN First, where we dive deep into The Outer Worlds 2 with exclusive coverage throughout April. This is your first real-time glimpse at the gameplay, showcasing a quest that involves infiltrating the N-Ray Facility. This quest not only highlights several new features and mechanics but also demonstrates how the game rethinks level design. One of the most striking aspects is how The Outer Worlds 2 enhances its RPG depth, with developer Obsidian drawing inspiration from its rich history and even from immersive sims like Deus Ex and Dishonored.

The game introduces more sophisticated systems than its predecessor, including a true stealth system and enhanced tools that make this playstyle not only viable but engaging. For instance, effective melee weapons and skills enable silent takedowns. A new feature is the purple-colored readout above enemy heads, which indicates the potential damage of a stealth attack, allowing players to strategize one-hit kills or decide if engaging is worth it. Enemies now detect dead bodies, prompting alerts to guards, but players can manage this risk with a skill that disintegrates bodies instantly.

The Outer Worlds 2 Gameplay - Screenshots

25 ImagesAs the quest progresses, you acquire the N-Ray Scanner, a tool that reveals hidden objects and NPCs/enemies through walls. Essential for solving intricate environmental puzzles, it's equally vital for stealth and combat strategies. The N-Ray Facility is home to cloaked enemies that are invisible to the naked eye but detectable with the scanner, adding a layer of complexity to gameplay.

The Outer Worlds 2 integrates several interlocking systems that enhance gameplay and character customization, deepening the RPG experience. Beyond stealth, the game expands on immersive sim elements. Obsidian has also focused on improving gunplay, inspired by Destiny, aiming for a more satisfying first-person shooting experience without turning the game into a pure shooter.

The gameplay footage showcases an action-packed approach to the N-Ray Facility, where movement has been refined to complement gunplay. Players can now sprint-slide while aiming, adding a dynamic flair to combat. The return of Tactical Time Dilation (TTD) enhances the bullet-time experience, and new throwables, such as grenades, can be creatively used in combat, for example, by shooting them midair during TTD to create devastating explosions.

While details on the story are sparse, the gameplay video features an interaction with an NPC named Exemplar Foxworth, who has survived a cultist takeover. Depending on your character's Medical, Guns, or Melee stats, you can choose to aid her or respond differently. This interaction also introduces Aza, a new companion who was once part of the cult and now seeks to rectify past actions.

While *The Outer Worlds* laid the groundwork, *The Outer Worlds 2* aims to fully realize Obsidian's vision for a modern first-person RPG, drawing heavily from the studio's past successes like *Fallout: New Vegas*. My conversations with Obsidian's team, including original *Fallout* developer and creative director Leonard Boyarsky, game director Brandon Adler, and design director Matt Singh, have provided insights into the game's new features and overarching vision.

This month's IGN First will continue to explore The Outer Worlds 2, covering character builds, the new flaws system, the array of unique weapons, and the expanded scope of the sequel. Stay tuned to IGN throughout April for more in-depth coverage!