Did The Outer Worlds 2 Finally Surpass the Original? The Improvements That Actually Matter
The Outer Worlds 2 touches down October 29, and hype is surging as RPG fans wait to see whether this sequel’s tighter systems and bigger choices can outshine the cult-hit original.
Quick heads-up for the RPG crowd: The Outer Worlds 2 finally has a date. It drops October 29, 2025, and Obsidian is promising a bigger, sharper, more flexible version of the first game. It also comes with a few early red flags you should know about.
What actually feels new (and better)
- Character building is deeper across the board. You start with a trait-based creation system, more ways to distribute skills, and over 90 perks to mix and match so your build actually feels yours.
- Combat got a tune-up. Gunplay is snappier, melee flows better, and the whole thing just feels faster once you get rolling.
- Movement finally caught up to modern shooters. Sliding and double jumps add some needed mobility and make fights less stiff.
- Bigger spaces to explore. Expect larger open zones this time, which makes wandering and side-tracking feel less boxed in.
- Yes, there is a third-person option now. If first-person never clicked for you, this gives you another way to play.
- Inventory headaches are toned down. The sequel loosens restrictions, which means less time juggling loot and more time actually using it.
The caveats (because of course)
Early impressions are largely positive, but they are not blind. Reviews that got hands-on ahead of launch, including Windows Central, flagged technical bugs and the usual glitch gremlins that break immersion at the worst moments. There are also a few pacing hiccups mentioned — nothing catastrophic, just enough to occasionally take the wind out of the story sails.
So... is it actually better?
On paper, yeah. The sequel refines the RPG systems, smooths out combat, opens up exploration, and adds quality-of-life features that the first game was missing. In the moment-to-moment, you might not always feel a night-and-day leap over the original. But between the new character tools, expanded movement, bigger zones, and that third-person option, it stacks up as a smarter, more ambitious version of The Outer Worlds. The rough spots look fixable; the foundation looks strong.
Release details
The Outer Worlds 2 launches October 29, 2025 on PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S.
Planning to jump in at launch, or waiting to see if the day-one patch swats the bugs? Let me know.