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 into its real-time gameplay, featuring a thrilling quest where you infiltrate the N-Ray Facility. This quest not only showcases several of the game's new features and mechanics but also highlights how Obsidian is rethinking level design. One of the standout aspects of The Outer Worlds 2 is its deeper RPG elements, with Obsidian drawing inspiration from its past works and immersive sims like Deus Ex and Dishonored.

While the DNA of first-person RPGs has always been present, The Outer Worlds 2 introduces more sophisticated systems compared to its predecessor. A true stealth system is now in play, enhanced by better tools that make this playstyle viable, including effective melee weapons and skills for silent takedowns. A notable feature is the health bar above enemy heads, which includes a purple-colored readout showing potential damage from stealth attacks. This helps you decide if a one-hit kill is possible or if it's worth engaging the target. Enemies will detect dead bodies and alert guards, but with the right skills, you can quickly disintegrate bodies to avoid detection.

The Outer Worlds 2 Gameplay - Screenshots

25 Images

Later in the quest, you'll acquire the N-Ray Scanner, which allows you to see certain objects, NPCs, and enemies through walls. This tool is crucial for solving environmental puzzles and essential for stealth and combat strategies. Enemies in the N-Ray Facility can cloak themselves, making them invisible to the naked eye but detectable with the N-Ray Scanner. Failing to use it diligently can lead to unexpected ambushes, adding a new layer of gameplay complexity.

The game features several interlocking systems that enhance how you play, emphasizing the RPG elements that define specific character builds. Stealth and immersive sim sensibilities are just part of the expanded gameplay. Obsidian has also focused on improving gunplay, taking inspiration from Destiny to ensure it feels satisfying. Although The Outer Worlds 2 isn't turning into a full-blown shooter, the gunplay now aligns more closely with what you'd expect from a first-person game with firearms.

This is evident when you storm 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 experience, making it an effective part of your combat strategy. Additionally, the inclusion of throwables, such as grenades, adds another layer to your arsenal, enabling dynamic plays like tossing a grenade, activating TTD, and shooting it midair to devastating effect.

While we don't have much to share about the story yet, including the context of the N-Ray Facility quest, we can see how conversations have evolved 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 your quest to undo the harm they've caused.

Many of these elements echo those from the original Outer Worlds, but while the first game laid the groundwork, The Outer Worlds 2 aims to fully realize Obsidian's vision. My conversations with the team at Obsidian provided insights into the new features and the driving vision behind this sequel. They're keen on harnessing the RPG roots of their past while exploring what a modern first-person RPG can be, often citing Fallout: New Vegas as a touchstone, which certainly raises expectations.

This is just a glimpse of what's in store for The Outer Worlds 2 and what we'll be covering in this month's IGN First. I'll be diving into character builds, the new flaws system, the array of wild and wacky weapons, and just how much bigger this sequel is. Stay tuned for interviews with key figures like original Fallout developer and creative director Leonard Boyarsky, game director Brandon Adler, and design director Matt Singh. Keep checking back at IGN throughout April for more exciting updates!