Is The Outer Worlds 2 Worth $70? Our Verdict on Obsidian’s Must-Play Space RPG

The cosmos is open for business once again! Obsidian Entertainment’s latest RPG, The Outer Worlds 2, has officially launched (October 29, 2025, or up to five days early for Premium Edition owners), bringing back the sharp satire and player freedom that made the original a cult favorite.

Initial reception is strong: critics are praising the game as a “smarter, stronger sequel” and “Obsidian’s magnum opus,” especially on Game Pass. However, this is not just “more of the same.” The corporate satire has been sharpened, the world is much bigger, and the RPG mechanics have been overhauled.

Here’s your “Boss Guide” to the key takeaways from the launch:

1. It’s an RPG that Respects Replayability

The biggest improvement Obsidian made is in how your character build impacts the world.

• Dialogue is King (and Queen): High Speech skills are now more powerful than ever. Players have reported using high Speech to intimidate bosses or skip entire combat encounters. Your build is a legitimate way to bypass challenges, not just fight through them.
• The Flaws System is Bossier: The unique Flaws system returns and is far more interesting. Instead of minor penalties, taking a Flaw (like “Foot-in-Mouth Syndrome” which randomizes dialogue choices if you take too long) comes with a significant permanent perk, forcing you to truly role-play your weaknesses.
• Goodbye Attributes, Hello Skills: The old Attributes system has been streamlined, placing a heavier focus on 12 distinct Skills (Guns, Hacking, Leadership, etc.). Investing heavily in a few core Skills is rewarded with far more impactful in-game boosts and dialogue options, encouraging true specialization.

2. The Gameplay is Bigger and Better

The Outer Worlds 2 takes place in the new Arcadia star system, where you play as “The Commander,” an Earth Directorate agent tasked with investigating mysterious “destructive rifts.”

• Gunplay Feels Great: Combat has been refined, with a focus on better mobility and a more diverse, creative arsenal of weapons and new Gadgets (like the N-Ray Scanner for stealth). The Tactical Time Dilation (TDD) mechanic returns, letting you slow down time to line up critical shots.
• Companions Matter More: Your companions have a far greater impact on the story. Their skills now grant you a more substantial boost, and completing their personal quests unlocks new customization and perk choices for them. Bring the right crew for the job—their presence can literally help you talk your way out of a fight.
• Technical Upgrade: Moving to Unreal Engine 5 has delivered prettier visuals and larger, more vibrant worlds, though some reviewers noted that the third-person mode feels a little clunky and the enemy AI can be predictable.

3. Essential Boss Tips for Beginners

To dominate the Halcyon (or rather, the Arcadia) colonies like a boss, keep these points in mind:

• Specialize, Don’t Balance: A balanced character is a bland character. Invest heavily in 3-4 core Skills early on. High Lockpicking and Hacking are invaluable for opening up new paths and rewards.
• Use Your One Respec Wisely: You only get one opportunity to fully reset your Skill Points—right after the tutorial mission. Use the prologue to test your build, then commit to your specialization.
• Talk to Everyone and Read Everything: Many challenges, including entire boss fights, can be skipped if you find the right information (in an email, log, or terminal) or have the right Speech skill for a specific dialogue check. Explore every backroom!
• Check Your Map for Loot: Don’t waste time checking every corpse. If a body has loot, a chest icon will appear on your mini-map, making it easy to spot.

The Outer Worlds 2 is scheduled to release for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on October 29, 2025.