After getting a firsthand look at the alpha build of *The Outer Worlds 2*, it's evident that Obsidian Entertainment has placed a strong emphasis on enhancing the RPG elements of the game. While the first installment offered a more streamlined approach to character development, the sequel pushes players to embrace diversity and experiment with unconventional playstyles. This isn't just about adding complexity for its own sake; rather, *The Outer Worlds 2* encourages creativity, specialization, and embracing unique, sometimes quirky, choices in character development.
In a discussion with design director Matt Singh, he shared that the team aims to "incentivize the player to experiment with different builds, either traditional or non-traditional." The focus is on creating synergies between Skills, Traits, and Perks to craft unique and engaging builds. This approach was evident in our exclusive 11-minute gameplay showcase, which highlighted new gunplay, stealth mechanics, gadgets, and dialogue options. As part of our IGN First coverage, we'll delve deeper into how these revamped systems work and what players can expect from them.
Rethinking the Skill System
Lead systems designer Kyle Koenig reflected on the first game, noting that "characters good at everything" often resulted in a homogenized player experience. To address this in the sequel, Obsidian has shifted from the original's grouped Skill categories to individual Skills with more significant differences. Koenig explained, "We wanted to focus on making each individual level-up and investment really important. There's less confusion on when I should invest in one Skill or the other." This approach allows for greater specialization, enabling players to tailor their characters more precisely to their preferred playstyle.
Singh added that the new system supports a broader range of player profiles, beyond traditional builds. He mentioned Skills like Observation, which can reveal hidden elements in the environment, thus opening up new paths and interactions. This shift in the Skill system aims to create more distinct character builds and enhance the overall RPG experience.
The Outer Worlds 2 Character Creation - Screenshots
The Perks of Getting Experimental
Obsidian's focus on specificity and unique playstyles is evident in the revamped Perks system. Koenig revealed that the game now features over 90 Perks, each requiring specific Skills to unlock. This system encourages players to explore various paths, such as the "Run and Gun" Perk for those favoring shotguns, SMGs, and rifles, which allows firing while sprinting or sliding. Combined with Tactical Time Dilation (TTD), this can lead to dynamic bullet-time combat scenarios.
Another intriguing Perk, "Space Ranger," enhances dialogue interactions and boosts damage based on the Speech stat. Koenig emphasized that the design philosophy was to modify various gameplay actions and modes, encouraging players to experiment with different builds. Singh highlighted Perks tailored for non-traditional playstyles, such as "Psychopath" and "Serial Killer," which reward players for eliminating NPCs, offering permanent health boosts and other bonuses.
For more traditional builds, Koenig discussed leveraging elemental combat, such as using plasma to burn enemies while healing, or shock damage to control automechs and paralyze foes. The flexibility to mix and match these elements allows for highly specialized and effective character builds.
The Positive and Negative Traits
The original *The Outer Worlds* introduced a Flaws system, allowing players to accept permanent negative effects in exchange for extra Perk points. In *The Outer Worlds 2*, this concept is expanded with a system of Positive and Negative Traits. Players can choose a negative Trait, such as "Dumb," which locks out certain Skills, or "Sickly," which reduces base health and toxicity tolerance, to gain additional positive Traits like "Brilliant" for extra Skill points or "Brawny" for enhanced melee capabilities.
The sequel's Flaws system is more dynamic, monitoring player behavior and offering Flaws with both positive and negative conditions. These Flaws are optional but become permanent once accepted, adding another layer of strategic depth to character development.
The Outer Worlds 2 Gameplay - Screenshots
Guiding Players and Ditching Respec
With the increased complexity of *The Outer Worlds 2*, Obsidian has prioritized clarity and accessibility. From character creation, the game provides clear explanations and short video examples of Skills and their impacts. Players can also mark Perks as favorites to plan their progression path, with intuitive menu icons and requirements displayed upfront.
A significant change is the removal of the respec option after the introductory sequence. Koenig emphasized that this decision "incentivizes it to be your experience," making each choice meaningful and unique to the player's journey. Singh reinforced this philosophy, stating that all choices should have a significant impact on gameplay, encouraging players to commit to their decisions and explore the resulting gameplay dynamics.
