Having had the opportunity to dive into The Outer Worlds 2 during its alpha build phase, it's evident that developer Obsidian has placed a strong emphasis on enhancing the game's RPG elements. While the first installment was designed to be more accessible with its streamlined character progression, the sequel aims to break away from uniformity, encouraging players to embrace unconventional gameplay styles. The goal isn't merely to increase complexity but to foster creativity, allowing for more specialized character development and the exploration of unique, sometimes quirky, choices.

"We're looking for ways to incentivize the player to experiment with different builds, either traditional or non-traditional," said design director Matt Singh, discussing the revamped RPG mechanics. He emphasized that the team is keen on creating synergies between Skills, Traits, and Perks to craft diverse and engaging character builds. This approach was evident in an exclusive 11-minute gameplay demonstration, highlighting new elements in gunplay, stealth, gadgets, and dialogue. Our IGN First coverage delves into the intricate details of these revamped systems and what players can anticipate from them.

Lead systems designer Kyle Koenig reflected on the first game's design, noting that characters often became proficient in all areas, diluting the personal touch of the player's experience. For the sequel, Obsidian has shifted away from grouped Skill categories, opting instead for individual Skills that offer significant variations. "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," Koenig explained. This change allows for more specialized characters, enabling players to focus on specific Skills like those related to guns and medical devices.

Singh added that the new system encourages players to blend different concepts and systems, creating a broad yet unique range of player profiles. Skills like Observation can unlock environmental secrets, such as hidden doors or interactive objects, enhancing the gameplay experience with alternate paths and discoveries.

The Outer Worlds 2 Character Creation - Screenshots

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While this approach might seem standard in RPGs, The Outer Worlds 2 distinguishes itself by using the revised Skill system to foster greater differentiation and open up more possibilities in character builds, especially in conjunction with the revamped Perks system.

The Perks of Getting Experimental

Obsidian's focus on specificity and unique gameplay avenues is clear in the sequel. "We've significantly increased the number of Perks with over 90 of them – each of those requiring various Skills to unlock," Koenig detailed. As players invest in Skills, their Perk options expand, leading to diverse gameplay paths. For instance, the Run and Gun Perk is perfect for those using shotguns, SMGs, and rifles, allowing them to shoot while sprinting or sliding, and when combined with Tactical Time Dilation (TTD), it enables bullet-time action. Another intriguing Perk, Space Ranger, enhances dialogue interactions and boosts damage based on the player's Speech stat.

"We have a lot of Perks that are catered towards non-traditional play styles," Singh noted, mentioning Perks like Psychopath and Serial Killer that reward players for eliminating NPCs, offering permanent health boosts for such playstyles. This approach not only caters to different playthroughs but also encourages players to explore the game's limits and responses to their actions.

For more traditional playstyles, Koenig highlighted builds that leverage elemental combat, such as using plasma to burn enemies while healing, shock to control automechs, or corrosive damage to strip armor and deal critical hits.

Singh emphasized the opportunity for players to experiment with detrimental effects that can enhance other aspects of their character. He suggested builds where taking damage could be strategically beneficial, transforming potential negatives into positive gameplay elements. This philosophy, present in the original game, is now a core aspect of The Outer Worlds 2, particularly with Traits and Flaws.

The Positive and Negative Traits

Koenig discussed the influence of Fallout's negative attributes on The Outer Worlds, where players could accept detrimental effects in exchange for extra points. This concept, introduced through the Flaws system in the original game, has been expanded in the sequel. The system now includes Positive and Negative Traits, allowing players to balance negative effects with additional positive ones. Examples include Brilliant, which grants extra Skill points, and Brawny, which allows knocking down targets by sprinting into them. On the flip side, choosing Negative Traits like Dumb, which restricts investing in certain Skills, or Sickly, which lowers base health and toxicity tolerance, can be offset by selecting more Positive Traits.

The Outer Worlds 2 Gameplay - Screenshots

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While a deeper exploration of the revamped Flaws system will be covered in another article, it's clear that The Outer Worlds 2 is pushing the boundaries with creative and sometimes humorous implementations. The game monitors player behavior to offer Flaws that are both positive and negative, adding another layer to the Traits system. These Flaws appear based on gameplay habits, and while players can opt into them, they become permanent aspects of their character.

Guiding Players and Ditching Respec

With the increased complexity in The Outer Worlds 2, Obsidian has prioritized making these systems understandable 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 stated. The game includes short videos in the menus that demonstrate the impact of different Skills on gameplay, helping players make informed choices. Additionally, players can mark Perks as favorites before unlocking them, aiding in planning and progression.

A significant change is the removal of the respec option after the introductory sequence, ensuring that once a Skill, Perk, or Trait is chosen, it becomes a permanent part of the player's journey. "By removing respec, we really incentivize it to be your experience. It is a part of your experience that no one else had, and I think that's really special about RPGs," Koenig remarked. Singh added that this design philosophy underscores the importance of every choice, aiming to create meaningful gameplay experiences. "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."