Having finally seen The Outer Worlds 2 in action, it's clear that Obsidian Entertainment has prioritized deepening the RPG elements of this much-anticipated sequel. While the original game offered a more streamlined approach to character progression, The Outer Worlds 2 encourages players to embrace diverse and even unconventional playstyles. The goal isn't complexity for its own sake but rather to foster creativity and specialization, allowing players to make unique and sometimes quirky choices in their gameplay.
Design director Matt Singh emphasized the team's intent to encourage experimentation with different character builds, whether traditional or non-traditional. "We're looking for ways to incentivize the player to experiment with different builds, either traditional or non-traditional," he explained. This approach is evident in the revamped RPG mechanics, which focus on synergies between Skills, Traits, and Perks to create engaging and varied builds. Our exclusive 11-minute gameplay showcase of The Outer Worlds 2 highlighted new elements like gunplay, stealth, gadgets, and dialogue, illustrating these mechanics in action. In this IGN First coverage, we delve into how these systems have been reimagined and what players can expect.
Rethinking the Skill System ---------------------------Lead systems designer Kyle Koenig noted that the first game often resulted in characters who were good at everything, diluting the personal experience. To address this, Obsidian has shifted from the original game's grouped Skill categories to individual Skills with more significant differences. "We wanted to focus on making each individual level-up and investment really important," Koenig said. This change allows for more specialized characters, ensuring that players know exactly which Skills to prioritize for their desired playstyle. For example, players focusing on guns and medical devices can clearly identify the relevant Skills to invest in.
Singh added that the new system supports a broader range of player profiles beyond traditional stealth, combat, or speech-focused builds. "There's more than just a traditional stealth-focused build, combat-focused build, or speech-focused build. There's a lot of blending of concepts, playing with other systems and incorporating those into a pretty broad, but unique range of different player profiles," he stated. One example is the Skill of Observation, which can highlight environmental elements like secret doors or interactive objects, leading to alternate paths and gameplay experiences.
The Outer Worlds 2 Character Creation - Screenshots
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While this approach might seem standard for RPGs, The Outer Worlds was unique with its grouped Skills. The sequel's revised Skill system aims to create more distinct character builds and open up new possibilities, particularly in conjunction with the revamped Perks system.
The Perks of Getting Experimental
Obsidian has significantly increased the number of Perks to over 90, each requiring specific Skills to unlock. "We've significantly increased the number of Perks with over 90 of them – each of those requiring various Skills to unlock. As you invest in Skills, it changes how you can invest in Perks and leads you down many different paths," Koenig explained. An example is the "Run and Gun" Perk, which allows players to fire while sprinting or sliding, enhancing gameplay for those using shotguns, SMGs, and rifles, especially when combined with Tactical Time Dilation (TTD). Another intriguing Perk is "Space Ranger," which offers unique dialogue interactions and damage boosts based on your Speech stat.
Singh highlighted Perks designed for non-traditional playstyles, such as those that reward players for killing every NPC in sight. "We have a lot of Perks that are catered towards non-traditional play styles," he said, mentioning Perks like "Psychopath" and "Serial Killer," which grant bonuses like permanent health boosts for such gameplay. This approach allows for a fun and unique second or third playthrough.
For more traditional playstyles, Koenig discussed builds that leverage elemental combat aspects. Players can mix and match damage types, such as using plasma to burn enemies while healing themselves, or using shock damage to control automechs and paralyze creatures and humans. Corrosive damage can strip armor, making subsequent attacks critical hits that deal massive damage.
Singh also pointed out opportunities for players to opt into detrimental effects that enhance other aspects of their character. "How do I construct a build where I'm actually incentivized to get in there and take damage so that I can then do other things effectively?" he asked, highlighting the creative potential of such builds. This design philosophy, which was part of the original game, now drives the development of The Outer Worlds 2, particularly in relation to Traits and Flaws.
The Positive and Negative Traits
Koenig noted that The Outer Worlds drew inspiration from Fallout by allowing players to have negative attributes in exchange for extra points elsewhere. The original game's Flaws system offered permanent effects based on in-game behavior in exchange for a Perk point. In The Outer Worlds 2, this concept expands with the introduction of Positive and Negative Traits. Players can choose a Negative Trait to gain an additional Positive Trait. For instance, selecting "Brilliant" grants extra Skill points at character creation, while "Brawny" allows players to knock down targets by sprinting into them. Conversely, opting for a Negative Trait like "Dumb" locks players out of investing in five Skills, or "Sickly" permanently reduces base health and tolerance for toxicity.
The Outer Worlds 2 Gameplay - Screenshots
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While a deeper dive into the revamped Flaws system will be covered in a future article, it's clear that The Outer Worlds 2 introduces more creative and sometimes whimsical Flaws. The game continues to monitor player behavior, but Flaws now come with specific conditions that can be both positive and negative, adding an unexpected layer to the Traits system. Players still have the option to opt into these Flaws, which become permanent parts of their character.
Guiding Players and Ditching Respec
With the increased complexity in The Outer Worlds 2, Obsidian aims to make these mechanics accessible and understandable through in-game explanations and UI elements. "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. This includes not just help text but also short videos in the menus demonstrating gameplay impacts. A standout feature is the ability to mark Perks as favorites before unlocking them, helping players plan their progression and build.
Obsidian's decision to remove the respec option past the introductory sequence encourages players to make thoughtful choices. "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 and something that respec tends to lessen," Koenig said. Singh added, "Philosophy-wise, we really feel all of your choices should matter. They should be meaningful changes to your gameplay experience." This approach challenges players to commit to their choices and explore the resulting gameplay dynamics in fun and interesting ways.
