Things The Outer Worlds 2 Does Better Than Its Predecessor

by

When The Outer Worlds came out in 2019, it quickly became popular with fans who enjoyed classic games from Obsidian Entertainment, especially Fallout: New Vegas. Many players drew comparisons between the two. Because of the first game’s success, a sequel was inevitable, and now it’s arrived: The Outer Worlds 2, bringing its unique brand of space adventure.

The Outer Worlds 2 improves the game for both newcomers and long-time fans. While it doesn’t drastically change the role-playing game formula, it’s a strong addition to what we hope will be a long-running series from Obsidian Entertainment.

The Graphics

A Decade And A New Console Improves A Lot

It’s immediately clear that this is an improvement over the original game. If you go back to play the first version, especially on older consoles like the Xbox One, it will appear noticeably blurry and out of focus. While a later update did improve the graphics, it still doesn’t compare to how good the sequel looks.

Obsidian Entertainment started developing this project nearly ten years ago, initially without financial support from Microsoft. Now, with a significantly increased budget, that investment is visible in the game’s visuals. While it might not be the most stunning game available, The Outer Worlds 2 is noticeably more polished and better-looking than its predecessor.

The UI

More Life In The Menus

The game’s visuals aren’t the only improvement; the user interface and menus are much more appealing now. The menus are simple to use, just like in the original game, and the text boxes clearly present your choices during conversations.

While still not flawless, The Outer Worlds 2 is a clear improvement over the original The Outer Worlds. It features more vibrant colors, a smoother overall experience, and feels much more polished. Though the menus aren’t as visually striking as those in Persona 5, and the player character appears a bit lackluster in the inventory screen, it’s definitely a step forward.

The Beginning

Things Start More Action-Packed

The sequel starts with even more action than the first game. In The Outer Worlds, you begin by assisting a scientist before crash-landing on a new planet and getting caught up in trouble with bandits and a local disagreement. The Outer Worlds 2 throws you right into an exciting mission with your companions, and then takes you to a much more unusual and interesting location.

The sequel should begin with a more impactful opening, fitting for a player who’s essentially a galactic soldier. Regardless of their character’s history, players start with a more compelling and powerful hero in the sequel than they did in the first game, where you began as a relatively inexperienced science assistant.

First AND Third-Person

A New Perspective

A major addition in the new game is the ability to switch between playing in first-person and third-person, something the first game didn’t offer. While The Outer Worlds 2 is still most enjoyable when played from a first-person view – making shooting and item collection easier – players who prefer a third-person RPG experience now have that option.

Sometimes, using a third-person view is more helpful – for example, when climbing or navigating tricky platforming challenges. The game offers both a close-up and zoomed-out third-person view, and players can also change which shoulder the camera focuses on, a feature found in many other games.

More Customization Objects

Become A Full Cyborg

One of the best ways RPG developers can captivate players is by offering extensive character customization. For many, creating a character is a major part of the enjoyment, and The Outer Worlds 2 improves on this by providing even more options, such as a wider range of cybernetic enhancements.

Players can customize their characters in detail, going beyond just appearance. They can select a backstory, choose personality traits, and learn skills. As characters gain experience, they also unlock special perks. A redesigned menu makes this character progression much easier to follow.

Multiple Paths Through The Same Problem

Fix A Door Or Destroy It?

Gaining levels in role-playing games is satisfying, but it’s often smart to hold off on immediately spending points to upgrade your skills, like in The Outer Worlds 2. Players learned this in the first Outer Worlds game, where they preferred to wait and see what challenges lay ahead before deciding how to improve their character.

In past games, players usually had only one way to overcome an obstacle, like picking a lock or hacking a computer. But in The Outer Worlds 2, there will be more options. For instance, instead of just picking a lock, you might be able to blow it open. This gives players more freedom and means they won’t have to worry as much about creating a specific character type to solve problems.

Workbench Upgrades

Deteriorating Weapons

Workbenches are back in The Outer Worlds 2, and they’re more useful than before. You’ll be able to craft ammo, customize your weapons and armor with different parts, salvage gear for components, and even upgrade your companions at dedicated stations.

In The Outer Worlds, you had to constantly repair your equipment because it wore down with use, making Workbenches important. Thankfully, the sequel doesn’t have this issue, which makes the game more enjoyable. You can freely fight enemies without worrying about finding a place to fix your gear.

Read More

2025-10-31 16:05