The Outer Worlds launched in 2019 and was a surprise hit for fans who missed Obsidian Entertainment's games of old. Specifically, Fallout: New Vegas, as there are a lot of comparisons between the two games that players could make. Comparisons aside, it made sense for the developer to make a sequel, and now it’s here, The Outer Worlds 2, in all its weird space glory.
Best Outer Worlds 2 Tips and Tricks
These beginner tips for Outer Worlds 2 will help both new and returning fans confidently tackle the challenges of the Arcadian system.
There are a lot of things that make it better as a game for both new players and older ones. The Outer Worlds 2 may not do anything so wild that it subverts the genre, but it is another solid entry in what hopefully becomes a giant franchise for Obsidian Entertainment.
The Graphics
A Decade And A New Console Improves A Lot
Right from the start, it should be apparent that this is an upgrade from the first game. For anyone who goes back to the base version now, like on the Xbox One, The Outer Worlds will look blurry, like something is out of focus. A newer version was released, which does look better, but not on the same level as the sequel.
As a project, Obsidian Entertainment began without Microsoft’s funding almost a decade ago, and now that they have a seemingly larger budget, it shows on-screen. It is not the best-looking game on any system, but The Outer Worlds 2 certainly looks better than the first game.
The UI
More Life In The Menus
Beyond the graphics, the UI and menu system for everything is more inviting. The menu is easy to navigate through in the first game, and the text prompts do the job when making typical RPG dialogue options.
Outer Worlds 2: Best Things to Do First
Prioritize these things to do first in Outer Worlds 2 to get started on the right foot on Paradise Island and beyond.
That said, The Outer Worlds 2 has brighter colors, things flow more easily, and it doesn’t look like the first draft, unlike The Outer Worlds. It’s not a perfect system as menus don’t pop out like in Persona 5, and the player character is small in the inventory menu and constantly looks bored, but it is an upgrade to be sure.
The Beginning
Things Start More Action-Packed
The beginning of the sequel is also more exciting than the original. In The Outer Worlds, players are with a scientist before being jettisoned to a foreign planet, and have to deal with some bandits and then a local dispute. In The Outer Worlds 2, players will start with Companions on a riveting mission, and then the location after that is more exotic.
It makes more sense to start more bombastically in the sequel, given what the player is: basically a soldier out to protect the universe. The sequel gives players a better character to start with, no matter their chosen background, than a glorified science aid in the original game.
First AND Third-Person
A New Perspective
One of the biggest new features in the sequel is being able to switch between first and third-person perspectives, which was not present in the original game. The Outer Worlds 2 is still best experienced as a first-person game, as enemies are easier to shoot and objects can be picked up quickly. That said, for players who prefer third-person RPGs, the option is there to tinker with.
There are times when third-person works better, like climbing scaffolding or trying to get around weird platforming sections in general. There is a near and far version for third-person, and players can even switch the shoulder perspective, which is common in most games.
More Customization Objects
Become A Full Cyborg
The biggest thing any RPG developer can do to get players hooked is to give them more customization options. Creating a character in an RPG is half the fun, and The Outer Worlds 2 has more options than its predecessor, like adding more cool cyborg parts.
Beyond body makeup, players can go into more finite detail on their character. They can choose a background, pick some Traits, and then some Skills to finalize everything. Upon leveling up, players can earn Perks too. Thanks to the better menu system, everything is easier to understand as players progress with their characters.
Multiple Paths Through The Same Problem
Fix A Door Or Destroy It?
Leveling up in an RPG is great, but it’s not always a good idea to immediately spend things like Skill Points in something like The Outer Worlds 2. That’s because players don’t know what trials they may come across, which is why players held back spending Skill Points in The Outer Worlds.
Outer Worlds 2: Best Traits, Ranked
Of the nine traits Outer Worlds 2 players can pick at the start of the game, only one should be avoided.
They may have come across a door that needs to be lock-picked or a computer that needs to be hacked. Typically, there was only one solution to a problem, but in The Outer Worlds 2, there are more ways. Some doors can be lock-picked or exploded, for example, which opens up more doors, metaphorically, without players having to worry about specific character builds.
Workbench Upgrades
Deteriorating Weapons
Workbenches return in The Outer Worlds 2 with better options than the original game. Players can craft things like ammo, mod their guns or armor with specific parts, break down gear to get parts, or tinker with upgrading Companions in certain areas.
Modding and breaking down equipment existed in The Outer Worlds, but a big reason to find a Workbench was to repair gear as they deteriorated with usage. Thankfully, that’s not really a problem in the sequel, and the game is better for it. Players can stab fools, blow up robots, and shoot foes without having to worry about finding that next Workbench station.
The Outer Worlds 2
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 87%
- Released
- October 29, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Obsidian Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Xbox Game Studios
