Welcome to our latest IGN First, featuring a month of exclusive coverage in April dedicated entirely to *The Outer Worlds 2*. We're thrilled to offer you the very first look at its gameplay in real time, taking you on an immersive journey through a quest where you infiltrate the N-Ray Facility. This showcases a range of new features and mechanics, as well as a reimagined approach to level design. What really stands out is the enhanced depth of the RPG elements, with developer Obsidian drawing inspiration from its rich history and even incorporating elements from immersive sims like *Deus Ex* and *Dishonored*.
The game elevates the RPG experience with more sophisticated systems than its predecessor, including a true stealth system and enhanced tools to support varied playstyles. This includes effective melee weapons and skills that enable silent takedowns. A notable feature is the health bar above enemy heads, which includes a purple-colored readout indicating the potential damage from a stealth attack. This helps players gauge the possibility of a one-hit kill or decide if it's worth engaging a target. Additionally, enemies will detect dead bodies, triggering alerts, but players with the right skills can disintegrate bodies to avoid detection.
The Outer Worlds 2 Gameplay - Screenshots
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As you progress through the quest, you'll acquire the N-Ray Scanner, a crucial gadget that allows you to see certain objects and NPCs/enemies through walls. This tool is essential for navigating complex environmental puzzles and is equally vital in stealth and combat scenarios. At the N-Ray Facility, you'll encounter cloaked enemies that are invisible to the naked eye but detectable with the N-Ray Scanner. Failing to use it diligently could result in surprise attacks, demonstrating how gadgets introduce new strategic elements to the gameplay.
The game features several interlocking systems that enhance the RPG experience and allow for specific character builds. Stealth and immersive sim elements are not the only areas of expansion. Obsidian has also focused on improving gunplay, taking inspiration from *Destiny* to ensure a satisfying shooting experience. While *The Outer Worlds 2* isn't turning into a full-blown shooter, it aims to deliver a more refined first-person shooting experience.
This is evident when approaching the N-Ray Facility with guns blazing. Movement mechanics have been refined to complement gunplay, allowing for more agile actions like sprint-sliding while aiming down sights. The return of Tactical Time Dilation (TTD) enhances the bullet-time fantasy, making it a key component of combat strategy. Additionally, the inclusion of throwables adds another layer to your arsenal, enabling dynamic moves like tossing a grenade, activating TTD, and shooting it midair to detonate on unsuspecting enemies.
While there's limited information on the story and the context of the N-Ray Facility quest, we've seen tweaks to the conversation system in the sequel. In the gameplay video, you'll encounter an NPC named Exemplar Foxworth, who has survived a cultist takeover. Depending on your Medical, Guns, or Melee stats, you can choose to help her or respond differently. This segment also introduces a new companion, Aza, a former cultist who joins your quest to rectify past actions.
Many of these elements were present in the original *Outer Worlds*, but *The Outer Worlds 2* aims to fully realize the vision that was laid out in the first game. Through early access and discussions with Obsidian, we've gained insights into the new features and the overarching vision for the sequel. The game seeks to blend Obsidian's RPG heritage with modern first-person RPG elements, often referencing *Fallout: New Vegas* as a key influence, which certainly raises expectations.
This is just a glimpse of what's in store for *The Outer Worlds 2* and what we'll be covering throughout this month's IGN First. We'll delve into character builds, the new flaws system, the array of unique weapons, and the expanded scope of the sequel through interviews with key figures like original *Fallout* developer and creative director Leonard Boyarsky, game director Brandon Adler, and design director Matt Singh. Stay tuned to IGN all April long for more exciting updates!
