The Outer Worlds 2: Exclusive 11-Minute Gameplay Revealed - IGN First

Welcome to our latest IGN First – a month of exclusive coverage in April, and it's all about *The Outer Worlds 2*. This is your very first look at its gameplay in real time, taking you through a quest where you infiltrate the N-Ray Facility to showcase several of the game's new features and mechanics, as well as its innovative approach to level design. One of the most striking aspects is how much deeper the RPG elements will be, with developer Obsidian drawing from its rich past and taking inspiration from immersive sims like *Deus Ex* and *Dishonored*.

While first-person RPGs have always embraced such DNA, *The Outer Worlds 2* introduces more sophisticated systems compared to its predecessor, including a true stealth system and enhanced tools to make this playstyle viable. This includes effective melee weapons and skills that allow for silent takedowns. For instance, the health bar above enemy heads now features a purple-colored readout, indicating the damage a stealth attack will inflict. This helps you decide whether a one-hit kill is possible or if it's even worth engaging your target. Enemies can detect dead bodies and alert guards, but you can quickly clean up if you possess the skill to disintegrate bodies on the spot.

The Outer Worlds 2 Gameplay - Screenshots

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Later in the quest, you acquire the N-Ray Scanner, which allows you to see certain objects and NPCs/enemies through walls. This tool is crucial not only for solving complex environmental puzzles but also for enhancing both stealth and combat scenarios. The N-Ray Facility is home to enemies who can cloak themselves, rendering them invisible to the naked eye but detectable through the N-Ray Scanner. Failing to use it diligently can leave you vulnerable to surprise attacks. This is just one example of how the addition of gadgets introduces new gameplay dynamics.

The game features several interlocking systems that influence your playstyle, heavily emphasizing the RPG elements that define specific character builds. Stealth and immersive sim mechanics aren't the only areas where gameplay is expanding. Obsidian has focused on improving gunplay, drawing inspiration from *Destiny* to enhance the feel of firearms in the game. While *The Outer Worlds 2* won't transform into a full-blown shooter, its gunplay now aligns more closely with the expectations of a modern first-person game.

You can witness this enhanced gunplay during the approach to the N-Ray Facility, where you can go in guns blazing. Movement mechanics have been refined to complement the shooting, allowing for more agility, such as sprint-sliding while aiming down sights. The return of Tactical Time Dilation (TTD) enhances the bullet-time experience, making it an integral part of your combat strategy. Additionally, the inclusion of throwables adds another layer to your arsenal, enabling dynamic plays like tossing a grenade, activating TTD, and shooting it midair to detonate it on unsuspecting enemies.

Although we don't have much to share about the story yet, including the context around the N-Ray Facility quest, we can see how conversations have evolved in the sequel. In the gameplay video above, you'll encounter an NPC named Exemplar Foxworth, who has survived a cultist takeover. She's bleeding out, and you can choose to help her based on your Medical stat or respond according to your Guns or Melee stats. This segment also introduces a new companion, Aza, a former cultist who joins you to help reverse the damage they've caused, bringing a sense of urgency and complexity to your mission.

Many of these elements were present in the original *Outer Worlds* to some extent, but while that game laid the groundwork for Obsidian's vision, *The Outer Worlds 2* aims to fully realize that vision. In addition to early gameplay access, I had insightful discussions with the Obsidian team about the new features and the driving force behind this sequel. They're eager to blend the RPG roots of the studio's past with what a modern first-person RPG can be, often citing *Fallout: New Vegas* as a key influence. This connection raises my expectations significantly.

This is just a glimpse of what's to come in *The Outer Worlds 2* and what we're covering in this month's IGN First. Throughout April, I'll be diving deeper into character builds, the new flaws system, the array of unique and quirky weapons, and the expansive scope of this sequel. Stay tuned for interviews with key figures like original *Fallout* developer and creative director Leonard Boyarsky, game director Brandon Adler, and design director Matt Singh. Keep checking back at IGN all month for more exciting updates!