[Note: All footage is from a work-in-progress alpha build.]
Having finally seen The Outer Worlds 2 for myself, it's clear that Obsidian Entertainment is doubling down on deeper RPG elements for this sequel. While the original game was more accessible with its streamlined systems and character progression, The Outer Worlds 2 aims to foster unique and unconventional playstyles. The focus isn't just on complexity for its own sake, but on encouraging players to be creative, specialize in their chosen skills, and embrace unusual choices.
"We're looking for ways to incentivize the player to experiment with different builds, either traditional or non-traditional," design director Matt Singh told me. This approach is reflected in the revamped RPG mechanics, which emphasize synergies between Skills, Traits, and Perks. You can glimpse these mechanics in action in our exclusive 11 minutes of gameplay footage, featuring new gunplay, stealth, gadgets, and dialogue. In this IGN First coverage, we delve into the intricacies of these reworked systems and what they mean for players.
Rethinking the Skill System ---------------------------Lead systems designer Kyle Koenig noted that in the first game, players often ended up with characters proficient in everything, which diluted the personal experience. To address this, Obsidian has shifted from grouped Skill categories to individual Skills with significant differences. "We wanted to focus on making each individual level-up and investment really important," Koenig explained. This shift allows players to specialize more deeply, understanding exactly which Skills to prioritize for their desired playstyle.
Singh added that the new system allows for more than just traditional builds. "There's more than just a traditional stealth-focused build, combat-focused build, or speech-focused build. There's a lot of blending of concepts," he said. Skills like Observation can reveal hidden elements in the environment, opening up alternative paths and enhancing player engagement.
The Outer Worlds 2 Character Creation - Screenshots
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While this approach might seem standard for RPGs, The Outer Worlds 2 uses its revised Skill system to create more distinct character builds and expand possibilities, especially in conjunction with the revamped Perks system.
The Perks of Getting Experimental
Obsidian has significantly increased the number of Perks to over 90, each requiring various Skills to unlock. "As you invest in Skills, it changes how you can invest in Perks and leads you down many different paths," Koenig explained. For example, the Run and Gun Perk allows players to fire while sprinting or sliding, enhancing the use of shotguns, SMGs, and rifles, and synergizing with Tactical Time Dilation (TTD) for bullet-time action. Another intriguing Perk, Space Ranger, influences dialogue interactions and boosts damage based on the Speech stat.
Singh highlighted Perks tailored for non-traditional playstyles, such as Psychopath and Serial Killer, which reward players for eliminating NPCs with permanent health boosts. "Especially in an Obsidian game where we allow you to kill anybody – the game's going to respond, it's going to roll with it, and you're going to still be able to complete the game," he said.
For more traditional builds, Koenig discussed leveraging elemental combat, such as using plasma to burn enemies while healing, shock damage to control automechs and paralyze foes, or corrosive damage to strip armor and enable critical hits.
Singh emphasized opportunities for experimentation, including opting into detrimental effects that boost other aspects of your character. "How do I construct a build where I'm actually incentivized to get in there and take damage so that I can then do other things effectively?" he pondered. This design philosophy, present in the original game, is now a central theme in The Outer Worlds 2, particularly with Traits and Flaws.The Positive and Negative Traits
Koenig reflected on the original game's Flaws system, where players could accept permanent negative effects for extra Perk points. In The Outer Worlds 2, this concept is expanded with Positive and Negative Traits. For instance, Brilliant grants extra Skill points at character creation, while Brawny allows players to knock down targets by sprinting into them. Conversely, opting for Negative Traits like Dumb, which locks out five Skills, or Sickly, which lowers base health and toxicity tolerance, can enable additional positive selections.
The Outer Worlds 2 Gameplay - Screenshots
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While I'll explore the revamped Flaws in more detail in a future article, The Outer Worlds 2 introduces creative and sometimes humorous Flaws that are triggered by in-game behavior. These Flaws, which players can opt into, add a dynamic layer to the Traits system, enhancing the uniqueness of each playthrough.
Guiding Players and Ditching Respec
With the increased complexity of The Outer Worlds 2, Obsidian is focused on making these systems accessible and clear through in-game explanations and UI enhancements. "Right from the get-go, from character creation, we really wanted to put in the forefront what are the differences of these skills and what they do," Koenig said. This includes short video examples in the menus and the ability to mark Perks as favorites, aiding players in planning their builds.
A significant change is the removal of respec options after the introductory sequence. "By removing respec, we really incentivize it to be your experience," Koenig stated. This means players must commit to their choices, making each playthrough uniquely personal. Singh added, "Philosophy-wise, we really feel all of your choices should matter. They should be meaningful changes to your gameplay experience. This is just one of those ways where we're asking you to make a choice, stick to it, and see how that plays out in interesting and fun ways."
