Welcome to our latest IGN First, featuring a month of exclusive coverage in April dedicated to *The Outer Worlds 2*. We're thrilled to offer you the very first glimpse of its gameplay in real time, showcasing a quest where you infiltrate the N-Ray Facility. This quest not only demonstrates several new features and mechanics but also highlights how the game is rethinking level design. One of the standout aspects is how much deeper *The Outer Worlds 2* will be as an RPG, with developer Obsidian drawing on its rich history and taking inspiration from immersive sims like *Deus Ex* and *Dishonored*.
While first-person RPGs have always had elements of this DNA, *The Outer Worlds 2* boasts more sophisticated systems than its predecessor. A true stealth system and better tools enhance the viability of this playstyle, including effective melee weapons and skills for silent takedowns. For instance, the health bar above enemy heads now includes a purple-colored readout that indicates the damage a stealth attack will inflict, allowing you to determine if 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, which allows you to see certain objects and NPCs/enemies through walls. This tool is essential for solving more complex environmental puzzles and is equally important for stealth and combat strategies. The N-Ray Facility is home to enemies who can cloak themselves, rendering them invisible to the naked eye but not to the N-Ray Scanner. Failing to use this device diligently could lead to unexpected encounters with these cloaked adversaries, illustrating how gadgets add a new layer of complexity to gameplay.
*The Outer Worlds 2* features several interlocking systems that influence your gameplay, emphasizing the RPG elements that contribute to specific character builds. Stealth and immersive sim mechanics are just part of the game's expansion. Obsidian has also focused on improving gunplay, drawing inspiration from *Destiny* as a benchmark for what good gunplay should feel like. While the game won't transform into a full-fledged shooter, it aims to deliver a more satisfying first-person shooting experience.
This focus on gunplay is evident when approaching the N-Ray Facility with guns blazing. Movement has been refined to complement the shooting mechanics, allowing for more agile actions such as sprint-sliding while aiming down sights, reminiscent of action heroes. The return of Tactical Time Dilation (TTD) enhances the bullet-time fantasy, making it an integral part of combat strategy. Additionally, the inclusion of throwables, while not groundbreaking, adds another tactical element to your arsenal, enabling you to perform impressive feats like tossing a grenade, activating TTD, and shooting it midair to detonate it among unsuspecting enemies.
Although we have limited information on the story and the context of the N-Ray Facility quest, we've seen some tweaks to the conversation system 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, albeit in a frantic state, to help undo their past actions.
Many of these elements were present in the original *Outer Worlds* to some extent, but where that game laid the groundwork, *The Outer Worlds 2* aims to fully realize Obsidian's vision. After getting an early look at the game, I had the opportunity to discuss its new features and the driving vision behind the sequel with the team at Obsidian. The game seeks to harness the RPG roots of the studio's past while exploring what a modern first-person RPG can be, often referencing *Fallout: New Vegas* as a touchstone. This certainly sets high expectations for *The Outer Worlds 2*.
This is just the beginning of what we'll be covering in this month's IGN First for *The Outer Worlds 2*. Stay tuned for breakdowns of character builds, the new flaws system, an array of unique weapons, and insights into how much larger this sequel is. We'll be featuring interviews with key figures such as 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!
