The Outer Worlds 2 Review — A Slick Sci‑Fi RPG with Friction
I loved the idea of more Obsidian space satire — and most of the gameplay improvements land. Sadly, bugs, optimization hiccups and a thinner world hold it back from greatness. Worth a play, but maybe wait for a sale or patches.
I came into The Outer Worlds 2 excited: new planets, new crew and Obsidian’s signature choice moments. The sequel mostly refines combat and RPG systems, but stumbles on bugs, empty spaces and a writing tone that doesn’t always land.
Core loop: first‑person RPG exploration, dialogue choices and shooter combat. Combat feels sharper than the original — weapons have better feedback, mods and throwables make fights more playful, and the perks/flaws system adds real flavor to builds. Skill checks still matter (speech, hacking, engineering), but the slow skill point economy forces you to specialise, which some will like and others will resent. Companions have unique quest threads, but many players find them flatter than in the first game. The world design swings between eye‑catching vistas (ray tracing, 4K/HDR support, DLSS/FSR/XeSS help on PC) and stretches of hollow space where encounters and loot can feel thin. Quality‑of‑life fixes over the first title are welcome — fewer loading screens and better UI bits — yet recurring save bugs, random FPS dips and occasional crashes spoiled playtime for many. The Premium Edition bundles the base game, a season pass for story expansions, a cosmetic prize pack and the digital artbook/soundtrack; DLCs may add the depth some reviewers miss.
The Outer Worlds 2 is a competent, often enjoyable sci‑fi RPG that fixes many mechanical gripes of the original — but its polish and world cohesion are uneven. Buy it on sale or after patches if you want the best experience.
Pros
- Tighter, more satisfying gunplay and weapon variety
- Meaningful skill checks and build‑flavor via perks/flaws
- Strong visuals and PC features (ray tracing, DLSS/FSR/XeSS, HDR)
Cons
- Technical issues: save bugs, crashes and random FPS drops
- World can feel emptier and companions less memorable than expected
Player Opinion
Players are split. Many praise the improvements to combat, RPG systems and visuals — especially on PC — and appreciate that choices still carry weight. Others feel the sequel is thinner: fewer meaningful side encounters, flatter companions and frustrating technical bugs (notably save/issues and optimization). If you loved the first game for its personality, be prepared for a different vibe; if you want tighter gunplay and build options, you’ll likely have fun. If you can, wait for patches or a sale.