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

Welcome to our latest IGN First, featuring a month of exclusive coverage in April dedicated to The Outer Worlds 2. We're thrilled to present the very first look at its gameplay in real time, showcasing a thrilling quest where you infiltrate the N-Ray Facility. This quest not only highlights several new features and mechanics but also demonstrates how the game is rethinking level design. What stood out most to me is the significant enhancement of the RPG elements, with developer Obsidian drawing inspiration from its rich history and immersive sims like Deus Ex and Dishonored.

The Outer Worlds 2 builds upon the foundation of its predecessor with more sophisticated systems, such as a true stealth system and enhanced tools that make this playstyle more viable. For example, players now have access to effective melee weapons and skills that enable silent takedowns. A new feature includes a health bar above enemy heads with a purple-colored readout that indicates the damage a stealth attack will do, allowing you to strategize for one-hit kills or assess the risk of engaging a target. Additionally, enemies can detect dead bodies and alert guards, but players with the right skills 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 crucial tool that allows you to see through walls, revealing hidden objects, NPCs, and enemies. This device is vital not only for solving environmental puzzles but also for enhancing stealth and combat strategies. The N-Ray Facility is filled with cloaked enemies that are invisible to the naked eye but can be detected with the N-Ray Scanner, emphasizing the importance of this gadget in gameplay.

The game introduces several interlocking systems that enhance the RPG experience, allowing for more diverse character builds. While stealth and immersive sim elements are prominent, Obsidian has also focused on improving gunplay, taking inspiration from Destiny to ensure a more satisfying shooting experience. Although the game isn't turning into a full-blown shooter, the gunplay has been refined to meet the standards of a modern first-person game.

You can see this improved gunplay in action during the approach to the N-Ray Facility, where movement has been tweaked to complement the shooting mechanics. Players can now sprint-slide while aiming down sights, adding an action-hero flair to the gameplay. The return of Tactical Time Dilation (TTD) enhances the bullet-time fantasy, allowing for dynamic combat strategies. Additionally, the inclusion of throwables adds another layer to the arsenal, enabling players to execute impressive moves like tossing a grenade, activating TTD, and shooting it midair to detonate on unsuspecting foes.

While there isn't much to share about the story yet, including the context around the N-Ray Facility quest, we do see tweaks in conversation mechanics in the sequel. In the gameplay video, there's a moment where you encounter Exemplar Foxworth, a survivor of a cultist takeover. Depending on your Medical, Guns, or Melee stats, you can choose to help patch her up or respond differently. This interaction also introduces a new companion, Aza, a former cultist who joins you in your mission.

Many of these elements were present in the original Outer Worlds, but The Outer Worlds 2 aims to fully realize the vision Obsidian set out to achieve. Through early access and conversations with the team at Obsidian, including key figures like original Fallout developer and creative director Leonard Boyarsky, game director Brandon Adler, and design director Matt Singh, we've gained insights into the new features and the overarching vision for this sequel. The game honors Obsidian's RPG roots while pushing the boundaries of what a modern first-person RPG can be, drawing parallels to Fallout: New Vegas.

This is just a glimpse of what's in store for The Outer Worlds 2 and what we'll be covering throughout this month's IGN First. Stay tuned for more detailed breakdowns on character builds, the new flaws system, the array of wild and wacky weapons, and the expansive scope of this sequel. Keep checking back at IGN all April long for more exciting updates!