Welcome to our latest IGN First – a month of exclusive coverage in April dedicated to The Outer Worlds 2. This is your very first glimpse at real-time gameplay, showcasing a quest where you infiltrate the N-Ray Facility. This mission highlights several new features and mechanics, and it's clear that the game is rethinking level design. One of the most striking aspects is how The Outer Worlds 2 is deepening its RPG elements, with developer Obsidian drawing on its rich history and taking inspiration 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 play, complete with better tools that make this playstyle viable. You'll have access to effective melee weapons and skills that allow for silent takedowns. For instance, the health bar above enemy heads now features a purple-colored readout, indicating the potential damage of a stealth attack. This helps you decide whether a one-hit kill is possible or if it's worth attacking your target. Enemies can detect dead bodies and alert others, but with the right skill, you can quickly disintegrate bodies to avoid detection.

The Outer Worlds 2 Gameplay - Screenshots

25 Images

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 also crucial for stealth and combat strategies. The N-Ray Facility is home to cloaked enemies who are invisible to the naked eye but detectable with the N-Ray Scanner. Failing to use it diligently could lead to surprise attacks. This example illustrates how gadgets add a new layer to the gameplay experience.

The game features several interlocking systems that influence your playstyle, enhancing the RPG elements that define specific character builds. Stealth and immersive sim mechanics are just one part of the expanded gameplay. Obsidian has also focused on improving gunplay, taking inspiration from Destiny to ensure a satisfying shooting experience. Although The Outer Worlds 2 isn't turning into a full-fledged shooter, the gunplay now feels more in line with what you'd expect from a first-person game with firearms.

You can see these improvements in action during the approach to the N-Ray Facility, where you can go in guns blazing. Movement has 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 an effective combat tool. Additionally, throwables add another layer to your arsenal, enabling dynamic moves like tossing a grenade, activating TTD, and shooting it midair to detonate on unsuspecting enemies.

While there isn't much to share about the story yet, including the context of the N-Ray Facility quest, we do see tweaks in the conversation mechanics. 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 named Aza, a former cultist who joins your mission to rectify their past actions.

Many of these elements were present in the original Outer Worlds, but where that game laid the foundation, The Outer Worlds 2 aims to fully realize Obsidian's vision. My conversations with the Obsidian team provided insights into the new features and the creative direction of the sequel. The game seeks to blend the studio's RPG roots with what a modern first-person RPG can be, often referencing Fallout: New Vegas as a key influence. This connection raises my expectations significantly.

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 detailed breakdowns of character builds, the new flaws system, an array of unique weapons, and insights into how much larger this sequel is. I'll be sharing 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 long for more!