The Outer Worlds 2: Full Announcement Breakdown

Obsidian Entertainment today presented its dedicated The Outer Worlds 2 Direct, a planet-scale showcase packed with new gameplay details for the sequel launching in 2025.

This 30-minute presentation offered a playful glimpse into how Obsidian is evolving the universe established by its 2019 space-faring RPG, refining existing mechanics and introducing brand-new systems. The event was hosted by comedian Ben Schwartz, known for voicing Sonic in the live-action movies, who filled the segments between deep dives with comedic sketches.

From quirky new Flaws and planetary destinations to a renewed focus on player agency, we’ve compiled all the key moments from The Outer Worlds 2 Direct right here. Additionally, following the 2025 Xbox Games Showcase, The Outer Worlds 2 now has a confirmed launch date of October 29, 2025. You can catch up on everything revealed during that event here.

Exploring Space as an Earth Directorate Agent

In The Outer Worlds 2, you begin your journey as an agent of the Earth Directorate. Obsidian characterizes these operatives as "space cowboys or sky marshals"—the righteous troubleshooters sent to resolve problems across the galaxy. However, how you develop your character and narrative from that starting point is entirely your decision.

Building your character’s identity involves selecting a Background and Traits; the latter establishes the core approach you take to gameplay. You can be Brilliant, Heroic, Innovative, Lucky—or even Dumb, if that suits your style.

The sequel also features a refined skill system and perks heavily inspired by Fallout: New Vegas. One perk highlighted during the Direct is Assassin, which grants a movement speed bonus after a stealth takedown.

More Guns, More Choice

The Outer Worlds 2 expands upon the universe Obsidian crafted in 2019, delivering sweeping improvements to all aspects of gameplay. The arsenal is larger, with more uniquely animated weapons, many of which were featured in the Direct.

The weapon design has a distinct Borderlands flavor, with some guns possessing special characteristics. Rookie’s Reward, for instance, gradually levels up alongside the player, celebrating each new tier with a burst of confetti and fireworks. Another standout is the Pop-Up Gun, which harasses enemies with intrusive ads projected by a drone. There’s also a rhythm-based sword that deals extra damage when you strike enemies in time with a song.

This inventive approach extends to the new throwable tools. Grenades now range from standard explosives to scientific variants that trap enemies in zero-gravity fields.

Movement and exploration have also been overhauled. You’ll enjoy greater freedom to run, jump, slide, and parkour across the colony of Arcadia while hunting for valuable loot. Additionally, a long-requested feature makes its debut: the ability to switch between first-person and third-person viewpoints.

Flaws Are Back and Better (and Worse) Than Ever

Flaws, a popular mechanic from the first game, return with even more impactful trade-offs. Players can voluntarily accept negative traits in return for other bonuses. The presentation highlighted four Flaws: Bad Knees, Kleptomaniac, Sungazer, and Overprepared.

Bad Knees allows for faster movement but causes audible joint popping when standing up, potentially alerting nearby enemies. Kleptomaniac increases the sale value of stolen goods but sometimes compels the player to steal items unintentionally. Sungazer inflicts permanent vision impairment but provides passive daytime health regeneration and increased weapon spread. Overprepared caters to cautious players who frequently reload, granting larger magazine sizes but applying a penalty if a clip is fully depleted.

Factions and Companions

As expected, The Outer Worlds 2 is filled with key factions and characters who can either aid or obstruct your mission. The Protectorate, for instance, is depicted as an authoritarian regime within the isolated colony of Arcadia.

“Their dictatorship explores the theme of how much freedom people are willing to sacrifice for safety and luxury,” Obsidian explains. “For the citizens under the Protectorate, the answer, unfortunately, is ‘everything.’”

Then there’s the Order of the Ascendant, an offshoot of the original game’s Order of Scientific Inquiry, which also has historical connections to The Protectorate. These and other major factions are deeply woven into the story and themes of The Outer Worlds 2, and they’ve been written to be even more absurd as Obsidian leans further into humor. Players can also enjoy a radio system inspired by Fallout: New Vegas, with each major faction operating its own station featuring roughly 20 original songs.

Factions have been significantly expanded for the sequel, and the same care has been given to the six available companions. You’ll first meet Niles, an Earth Directorate agent whose fate can be shaped by your decisions. The Direct also introduced Val, a “somewhat cute” automech drone assisting Niles; Marisol, a deadly assassin and mathematician; Aza, a devoted cultist; Inez, a combat medic survivor of unethical experiments; and Tristan, a heavily armored arbiter of the Protectorate.

The Bridge

Obsidian emphasizes that player choice is central to The Outer Worlds 2 experience, perfectly illustrated by an early mission called The Bridge. The objective is to find a way to lower a bridge, and players can approach this through conventional means—such as persuading the Protectorate to lower it, stealthily accessing the control room, or initiating a full-frontal assault.

But Obsidian pushes the possibilities further. You might utilize a shield to bypass toxic gas, deploy jump boots for alternative traversal routes, or even sacrifice a companion to gain access. This mission exemplifies the kind of freedom the developers promise throughout the game.

Closing out the Direct, the team at Obsidian reflected on the project: “The Outer Worlds 2 is the most ambitious game we've ever created.” As we approach the newly confirmed release date, it’s becoming clear why. For further updates, read about its October release date reveal. You can also find more details on its confirmed $80 price point, along with our IGN Live interview with Obsidian's Marcus Morgan.