The Outer Worlds 2

The Outer Worlds 2 doesn’t try to rewrite Obsidian’s RPG playbook, but it’s yet another strong refinement, with smoother combat, diabolically compelling buildcrafting and loot, and a story that immediately made me want to start again to see an alternate outcome. The sluggish first act and lack of enemy variety make it a bit of a slog at certain times, but once its story of political intrigue kicks in and the new flaws and perks system gets its claws in you, it can be quite hard to put down.

So, it's once again not quite the all-timer that the promise of a spiritual successor to Fallout New Vegas suggests - but it's a firm-footed and valiant step closer to that goal. The more hardcore your interest in RPG progression systems, the more mileage you'll get as a bonus.

The Outer Worlds 2 feels like the series coming into its own, carried by flexible combat options and great role-playing progression. The first Outer Worlds felt like Obsidian trying to recapture the magic of Fallout's apocalyptic future in a new spacefaring context. The Outer Worlds 2 cements this setting as its own identity that can exist alongside its sci-fi contemporaries to deliver something that is familiar, but also distinctly its own.

The Outer Worlds 2 expectantly addresses the shortcomings of its rather short predecessor, adding to the formula to give players even more opportunities to shape the adventure. Though your throughline narrative will likely look similar to mine when you roll credits, the choices at your disposal, whether in or out of combat, and what you do with them in the game’s various predicaments, will provide a unique flavor that will likely remain your own.

The Outer Worlds 2 is a thoroughly enjoyable game, but as sequels go, it's largely more of the same. While the overarching story isn't terribly interesting, the world building around it and the colony of Arcadia is great to explore. What's disappointing is a lack of improvement in too many areas. It looks better and gunplay is better, but old snags and weaknesses from the first game remain and, more importantly, it's not as exciting and new as it was the first time round.

The Outer Worlds 2 is an entertaining game that's incredibly fun to play through. There may be flaws, as most RPGs possess, but they don’t trigger any ill will. There's plenty of polish that shows how much the team has advanced in bringing this game to another level that the first title lacked. You'll discover plenty of hidden pockets to explore in every corner with loot, lore or collectibles for you to gather and learn what is going on in this portion of the galaxy.

Even if this game doesn't have the most iconic set of companions I've met in an RPG and some planets have some dead space in their open worlds, The Outer Worlds 2 is an amazingly written, malleable, and surprisingly timely RPG. If you're subscribed to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or enjoyed games like Fallout: New Vegas and Avowed, play The Outer Worlds 2.

The Outer Worlds 2 is bigger and better than the first game in every respect, with deep, rich role-playing and plenty of freedom to tailor your experience. Every world feels curated, and exploration is always purposeful and rewarding. Topped off with a vast range of weapons, brilliant writing, and a story and character that's yours to shape, this is Obsidian doing what it does best to deliver an engrossing RPG you'll want to replay again and again.