The Outer Worlds 2's Perk System Takes a Bold Leap from its…

Summary

The Outer Worlds 2 is expected to launch in 2025, aiming to expand and improve on designs from the original game.
The second entry will reportedly introduce over 90 perks, double that of the first title.
Obsidian's plans to focus on a greater depth of build variety and perks in TOW2 promise more diverse and entertaining character builds.

The Outer Worlds 2 will be launching fans into the next chapter of Obsidian Entertainment's satirical sci-fi future sometime this year. After the first well-received entry in 2019, the studio will be looking to improve upon many of its core FPS RPG elements in The Outer Worlds 2. Along with taking place in an all-new star system populated by absurd personalities and containing more darkly morally gray situations, the sequel will also aim to expand other mechanics from the original.

The Outer Worlds 2 does not yet have a firm date but is expected to hit its 2025 target. Obsidian has been showing more of it throughout this year, highlighting various items that it has been honing on and taking in fan feedback in order to better tweak them. Recently, it has been revealed that the number of perks that will be available for players to choose from is over 90. This amount is a big leap over TOW1, and it bodes well for how the developer is committed to keeping player choice and character builds fun and fresh for the second outing.

The next extended look at The Outer Worlds 2 will be during Xbox Direct on June 8.

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By J. Scott Thurlow

The Outer Worlds 2 Having Over Double the Amount of Perks than the First Game is an Extremely Promising Prospect

The Outer Worlds' Perks Are a Solid Starting Base With Room to Grow

There are a total of 42 perk options in The Outer Worlds divided between the player character and companions, and further split up into tiers. Although the system overall is quite flexible in terms of mixing and matching, it's also limiting in other ways. The tighter level cap, combined with some uneven progression and grinding depending on how much time fans gave to side quests and other optional content, could still produce some undesirable results.

There were also some instances of players inadvertently locking themselves out of certain outcomes due to the requirements needed to achieve them. It's an issue that can crop up in many RPGs, and while The Outer Worlds handled it well in general, it was still present at times. Other related aspects, like stealth, could also feel a little undercooked in The Outer Worlds, and this is another area that Obsidian has stated it is fine-tuning to create more synergy with the perk system to make everything more satisfying and viable. There's thus a good grounding in place for the next entry to take them to new heights.

The max level was originally 30, which was bumped up to 36 in the DLCs before The Outer Worlds' Spacer's Choice edition increased the level cap to a somewhat bizarrely high 99.

The Outer Worlds 2's Increase in Perks Opens Up a World of Possibilities

In addition to the new perk structure, The Outer Worlds 2's locations and scope will be noticeably larger compared to the first. This will hopefully translate to more opportunities and ways for fans to engage with the expanded system across a greater variety of situations. While not confirmed, it could also see elements from Avowed in The Outer Worlds 2, as Obsidian incorporates lessons and designs from its other projects into the mix.

Regardless, the potential build variety in The Outer Worlds 2 through the sheer amount and range of perks it will encompass will likely allow for a greater degree of freedom, letting players experiment with a bigger pool and being able to better tailor their preferred playstyles and associated effects (or even amusing debuffs in the form of flaws.) Not only does the new perk system promise to come into play more across exploration, combat, and roleplaying, but it could lend itself to improving some other elements that were underserved in the first by granting more replayability, as players could try out more wildly different builds and possibly in a proper New Game + in TOW2.

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