The Outer Worlds 2

About

The Outer Worlds 2 is a single player role playing game. It was developed by Obsidian Entertainment and was released on October 29, 2025. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

The Outer Worlds 2 is a first-person sci-fi RPG where you play as an Earth Directorate agent investigating devastating rifts threatening humanity. Explore the new colony of Arcadia, home to skip drive technology, and face new enemies, weapons, and challenges. Your choices shape the fate of the colony and the galaxy.

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Play Modes

Single-Player

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77%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,004 reviews

story616 positive mentions

optimization125 negative mentions

The game features improved gunplay and combat mechanics compared to the first installment, making battles more engaging and enjoyable.
The character progression system, including the flaw mechanic, adds depth and encourages players to specialize in certain skills, enhancing replayability.
The writing and humor are well-executed, with many players appreciating the satirical take on capitalism and the unique personalities of the companions.

The game suffers from performance issues and bugs, including a known save bug that can prevent players from saving their progress, leading to frustration.
Many players feel that the story lacks depth and that the characters are forgettable, with some quests feeling repetitive and uninspired.
The level cap of 30 and limited skill points can restrict player choices and make it difficult to explore different builds, leading to a less satisfying RPG experience.

story
2,502 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
69%
6%
The story in "Outer Worlds 2" has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its humor and engaging character arcs, while others criticize it for being predictable and lacking depth compared to the first game. Many found the quests to be a mix of interesting and tedious fetch tasks, with some players feeling that the narrative fails to maintain a compelling hook throughout. Overall, while the game offers a variety of choices and paths that can impact the story, it seems to fall short of the high expectations set by its predecessor, leaving some players wanting more in terms of character development and plot intricacy.
- “If you want a game that knocks it out of the park atmosphere and story-wise, this is a must-play game.”
- “The narrative exhibits a high concentration of story content, enriched with satire, humor, and repeated plot discontinuities (hereafter referred to as 'twists').”
- “The story is entertaining enough.”
- “The outer worlds one is one of my favorite games, and I was so excited for this game to release. Unfortunately, the charm and life that the original game had is nowhere to be seen in this sequel. The NPCs felt like vague representations of their faction with all of five dialogue options to cycle through. I was dreading quests in Act 3 because I knew that they were all fetch quests that served no purpose but to pad the time on the main quest.”
- “The side quests are not compelling in the slightest, and even the main quest is simply boring. There's no depth to the story either.”
- “The story didn't hook me at all, the world-building felt quite same-same, the 'roleplaying' felt forced and implemented through a very basic formula with a tagline of 'look you can make choices'... overall its systems just feel dated and tiring to play around with - nothing new here.”
gameplay
847 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
62%
6%
The gameplay in "The Outer Worlds 2" has received mixed feedback, with many praising its improvements over the first game, particularly in combat mechanics, movement fluidity, and the introduction of new RPG elements like the "flaw" system. However, some players express frustration with bugs, save issues, and a perceived lack of depth in gameplay mechanics, leading to a repetitive experience. Overall, while the game offers solid shooting mechanics and engaging RPG elements, it struggles with balance and can feel uninspired in certain aspects.
- “Weaponry and armor are neither inert nor decorative; many specimens introduce distinct mechanical effects, increasing player engagement and occasional delight.”
- “The gameplay is fun, and I do think the combat is better than the first game, but the world feels somewhat flat and the story is just not all that inspiring or interesting.”
- “The gameplay is solid and enjoyable but the story and characters (crucial in a game like this!) were unfortunately a drag for me personally.”
- “Ruined my last missions and gameplay that I tried hard to do correctly only to be punished and left with a shitty dialogue that I wanted to avoid.”
- “The mechanics simply don’t provide much depth: it’s just a shooting gallery with some sporadic need to take cover and no room for maneuver.”
- “The gameplay loop is repetitive and uninspiring.”
graphics
498 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
60%
5%
The graphics in "Outer Worlds 2" have received mixed reviews, with many praising the vibrant art style and improved visual fidelity compared to the first game. Players appreciate the unique aesthetic blending retro-futuristic elements, though some report performance issues, including stuttering and inconsistent frame rates, particularly on lower-end hardware. Overall, while the visuals are generally considered beautiful and immersive, optimization remains a concern for many users.
- “The graphics are beautiful, smoother, and more 'real.' The gameplay is easy to follow, learn, and control.”
- “The visuals are stunning and sometimes overwhelmingly so, with breathtaking vistas and immersive atmospheres.”
- “The graphics are amazing, the sound design and animations are all better, and the character-writing and voice acting are once again near flawless.”
- “At times it features migraine-inducing visuals, especially in the n-ray scanner, which is needed to progress.”
- “Also, Avowed has this weird pixelated graphics issue that I could never figure out, and while it runs fine regardless, it always bothered me that waterfalls, beards, hair, etc. look like they are being built before my eyes pixel-by-pixel.”
- “The graphics are honestly terrible; I really hope games start moving away from UE5 because it just looks terrible and everyone just uses the same assets because they're lazy anymore.”
optimization
461 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
55%
27%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant performance issues, including stuttering and low frame rates, even on high-end hardware. While some users report smooth gameplay with optimized settings or mods, others find the game poorly optimized overall, particularly in open-world areas. The reliance on Unreal Engine 5 appears to exacerbate these issues, leading to a consensus that the game requires further optimization and patches to improve performance.
- “Level design is great, movement feels smooth, the graphics are excellent and well-optimized.”
- “Performance is solid and the overall vibe is polished.”
- “I love how well optimized this game is!!”
- “Game is so poorly optimized, $70 for this and not being able to get more than 60 frames in 2026 is absolutely criminal, I have a 4060 GPU.”
- “The game is an optimization joke.”
- “I was excited for this game, but this is literally unplayable, this game doesn't look nearly good enough to run this horribly, they really need to work on their optimization, I can barely pull 30 fps on the lowest graphics and all the performance optimization things on.”
humor
453 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in "Outer Worlds 2" is a blend of sharp wit and dark satire, reminiscent of its predecessor, though some players feel it has been toned down. While many appreciate the clever dialogue and quirky characters that elicit genuine laughs, others find the humor less impactful and at times forced. Overall, the game maintains a light-hearted atmosphere, balancing comedic elements with serious themes, making it enjoyable for fans of satirical storytelling.
- “The game strikes a careful tonal balance: on the surface, the world can appear goofy or exaggerated, but the characters themselves are not trying to be funny.”
- “The writing is sharp, self-aware, and consistently funny without ever losing the emotional core of the story.”
- “The humor flows into the narrative pretty nicely, didn't overstay its welcome, and although the first game was really short, it was a rather fun way to slash at 8 to 10 or so hours on a single playthrough.”
- “I suppose my biggest personal gripe with the game is how unfunny it is, but that's really hard to quantify.”
- “Not funny or edgy like previous Obsidian games, but it thinks it is.”
- “I'm assuming this was supposed to be funny because it's so hypocritical, but it was so jarring it made me see how unaware and boring all of the companions are.”
music
173 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
62%
5%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the original songs featured on the in-game radio stations for their catchy and humorous qualities, reminiscent of classic titles like Fallout. However, some players found the overall soundtrack to be repetitive and lacking in variety, with ambient music failing to leave a lasting impression. While the radio adds a unique layer to the game's atmosphere and worldbuilding, opinions vary on its effectiveness compared to a more traditional overarching score.
- “I have thrown more money at them for the soundtrack, because a monastic choir singing about the Fibonacci sequence, irrational numbers, and mathematical proofs is absolutely priceless.”
- “The in-game radio with its unique custom-written songs from the perspective of each faction is one of the most delightful things in games in recent memory!”
- “The music made for this game enhances every moment of play and will leave you humming the songs hours later!”
- “The music is largely forgettable; outside of a few standout pieces, you generally do not notice it.”
- “The lack of background music in favor of the radio system is a shame.”
- “The overall dialogue, world art, and music design felt more distinct and purposeful.”
stability
108 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
1%
80%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including crashes, quest-breaking issues, and freezing during key moments. While some users have experienced smooth performance and minimal issues, the overall consensus indicates that the game is still quite buggy, suggesting that players may want to wait for patches before diving in fully. Despite these problems, a few players noted improvements in stability compared to previous titles from the developer, indicating potential for future enhancements.
- “Overall, excellent game, fun, good looking, and it runs great.”
- “Probably the most polished bug-free release of a major role-playing game I've ever played.”
- “The game runs great in almost every area with very high graphics settings with the hardware ray tracing enabled.”
- “You would expect something fantastic from a AAA studio, but what I found was a buggy mess.”
- “The downside is the stability — my save file corrupted three times, NPCs slide during dialogue, objectives on the map bug out, the game freezes mid-conversation making me lose story beats, and some days it just crashes nonstop.”
- “It's a fun game, but it's just too buggy right now and the performance is terrible.”
replayability
101 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
66%
3%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its diverse character builds, skill checks, and multiple quest resolutions that encourage multiple playthroughs. However, some critics note a lack of significant content variation and the absence of a new game plus mode, which limits the overall replay value. Overall, while there are strong elements that promote replayability, opinions vary on how engaging and rewarding repeated playthroughs truly are.
- “The graphics, dialog, NPCs, companions & their quests/stories, game mechanics, etc. all make for a very enjoyable game with a lot of replay value.”
- “I particularly enjoyed the many different options to complete each objective; it really allows for a tailored playthrough when spec-ing your character and replayability!”
- “The flaw system is glorious and will make this game endlessly replayable, with every single playthrough unique.”
- “If this game were remotely replayable, I would've been excited to go through and play NG+ to get more, oh wait there's no NG+.”
- “The limited enemy types, much like the first game, limit replayability.”
- “My recommendation: if you plan to buy it now, just get the standard edition, since it probably doesn’t have much replay value — it’s more like a one-time experience.”
atmosphere
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
53%
4%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive environments, captivating visuals, and effective sound design, drawing comparisons to titles like Bioshock and Fallout. Reviewers appreciate the blend of humor and serious themes, with a unique setting that enhances the overall experience, although some note inconsistencies in world-building and narrative depth. While many find the atmosphere engaging and well-crafted, a few critiques highlight missed opportunities and a lack of cohesion in certain areas.
- “If you want a game that knocks it out of the park atmosphere and story-wise, this is a must-play game.”
- “The sound atmosphere and music are successful and fit the game's theme well.”
- “Great game, beautiful atmosphere and setting.”
- “A stronger application of the principle 'less is more' could have improved both clarity and atmosphere.”
- “The game just lacks the kind of atmosphere of a game like New Vegas.”
- “I'm pretty disappointed because I love the atmosphere, but the gameplay and level design are, in my opinion, rather lazy.”
grinding
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
5%
93%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, with many expressing frustration over repetitive tasks, long-winded dialogue, and unengaging combat. While some appreciate the removal of traditional grinding mechanics, the emphasis on tedious gameplay elements detracts from enjoyment and immersion, leading to a sense of boredom and dissatisfaction. The lack of meaningful rewards for grinding further compounds these issues, making the experience feel more like a chore than a fun challenge.
- “8/10 so far, won't take over your life, no grind, no farming, very light unguided explorations, mostly just questing in a 10/10 world.”
- “This just makes it really tedious to play.”
- “It's mildly entertaining the first few times, but after several hours it becomes tedious and makes everyone come across as more than a little thick-headed.”
- “Overall it's definitely enjoyable, and I recommend it, but, like many games these days, its desire to add tedious elements as an excuse for 'difficulty' instead of having good enemy AI and such gets in its own way in terms of immersion.”
emotional
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
6%
The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the sharp writing and character development, while others feel disconnected from the characters and story. Many noted that despite moments of humor and potential emotional depth, the overall experience lacks the emotional engagement found in its predecessor, leaving players wanting more impactful connections and story arcs. Overall, while there are glimpses of emotional resonance, the game often falls short of delivering a truly compelling emotional experience.
- “The writing is witty, heartfelt, and occasionally brutal—exactly what you want from an Obsidian RPG.”
- “Watching them evolve based on your actions and ideology becomes one of the most emotionally engaging parts of the adventure.”
- “The writing is sharp, self-aware, and consistently funny without ever losing the emotional core of the story.”
- “It took a lot of the good balancing elements of the first game and got rid of them, and with a boring storyline, it feels like just another Microsoft cash grab sequel with no soul.”
- “The emotional depth that was present in the first game is completely missing here, leaving players feeling disconnected and uninvested in the characters.”
- “I expected a rich emotional experience, but instead, I was met with shallow storytelling and uninspired character development.”
monetization
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
12%
79%
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn mixed reactions, primarily due to the overwhelming presence of in-game advertisements that often drown out dialogue and disrupt immersion. While some players appreciate the satirical take on capitalism and the unique content of the ads, many find the constant barrage of promotional material annoying and distracting, detracting from the overall experience. Additionally, concerns about microtransactions and the game's perceived cash-grab nature have been raised, with calls for a more thoughtful approach to monetization.
- “It is what it says it is on the tin; it's not trying to sell you on microtransactions. I saw none of the subtle attempts at partisan indoctrination, and the explosions are a blast, literally!”
- “Simply put, price and monetization models.”
- “Just change your monetization models, Obsidian.”
- “The constant barrage of ads and radio during gameplay is very annoying.”
- “At a certain point, you head to the flagship of Auntie's choice and there are near constant advertisements playing that often make it impossible to hear anyone even in dialogue.”
- “Game doesn't even have any real music; it's just ads. I get it, 'capitalism on crack,' but it's boring and annoying.”
character development
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
64%
13%
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the depth and emotional growth of companions through missions and player choices, while others criticize the restrictive nature and lack of meaningful interactions. The integration of flaws and player-driven character arcs adds a layer of immersion, but the overall character design and voice acting have been deemed subpar by several reviewers. Despite these criticisms, many players appreciate the story-driven approach and the potential for varied playthroughs, highlighting the game's ambition in character development.
- “The Outer Worlds 2 is recommended for fans of classic RPG mechanics, delivering a robust and interconnected experience that rewards player time investment and character development.”
- “The character development of your companions is great-- you get to work with them to address their character flaws and make them better people.”
- “I enjoy the 'flaws' of the game thus far, as your playstyle influences potential organic character development in addition to the standard level up and picking a couple of skills/perks.”
- “Companions are mostly emotionally teenage, and rare feints at serious character development are undone by the farcical tone and unbelievable personality changes resulting from nothing but stat checks.”
- “There is not any romancing, so having your companions do not feel any character development.”
- “Character development is extremely restrictive.”

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15h Median play time

24h Average play time

6-40h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 66 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Outer Worlds 2 is a role playing game.

The Outer Worlds 2 is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, Windows and others.

On average players spend around 24 hours playing The Outer Worlds 2.

The Outer Worlds 2 was released on October 29, 2025.

The Outer Worlds 2 was developed by Obsidian Entertainment.

The Outer Worlds 2 has received mostly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its optimization.

The Outer Worlds 2 is a single player game.

Similar games include The Outer Worlds, Avowed, Encased, Elex II, Wasteland 3 and others.

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