"The Outer Worlds 2: Exclusive 11-Minute Gameplay Revealed - IGN First"

Welcome to our latest IGN First, where we're diving deep into a month of exclusive coverage in April, all dedicated to The Outer Worlds 2. We're thrilled to present the very first look at its gameplay in real time, showcasing a quest where you infiltrate the N-Ray Facility. This quest not only introduces several new features and mechanics but also reimagines level design. What really stands out is how The Outer Worlds 2 is set to become a much deeper RPG, with developer Obsidian drawing on its rich history and taking inspiration from immersive sims like Deus Ex and Dishonored.

The Outer Worlds 2 introduces more sophisticated systems than its predecessor, including a true stealth system and enhanced tools that make this playstyle viable. For instance, effective melee weapons and skills enable silent takedowns. A notable addition is the health bar above enemy heads, featuring a purple-colored readout that indicates the potential damage of a stealth attack. This helps players decide if they can achieve a one-hit kill or if it's even worth engaging the target. Additionally, enemies can detect dead bodies and alert guards, but players with the right skills can disintegrate bodies to avoid detection.

The Outer Worlds 2 Gameplay - Screenshots

25 ImagesLater in the quest, you'll acquire the N-Ray Scanner, a crucial tool that allows you to see certain objects and NPCs/enemies through walls. This scanner is essential for solving complex environmental puzzles and is vital for both stealth and combat strategies. At the N-Ray Facility, you'll encounter enemies who cloak themselves, becoming invisible to the naked eye but not to the N-Ray Scanner. Failing to use this tool diligently can lead to ambushes by these cloaked foes, highlighting how gadgets add a new layer to the gameplay.

The game features several interlocking systems that influence how you play, deepening the RPG elements and enabling specific character builds. Stealth and immersive sim elements are just part of the broader gameplay expansion. Obsidian has also focused on improving gunplay, taking cues from Destiny to enhance the feel of firearms in the game. While The Outer Worlds 2 isn't turning into a full-blown shooter, the gunplay now feels more akin to what you'd expect from a modern first-person game.

You can see this gunplay enhancement in action during the approach to the N-Ray Facility, where you can go in guns blazing. Movement mechanics have been refined to complement the gunplay, allowing for more agile actions like sprint-sliding while aiming down sights. The return of Tactical Time Dilation (TTD) further enhances the bullet-time combat fantasy, letting you throw grenades, activate TTD, and shoot the grenade midair for devastating effects on unsuspecting enemies.

While there isn't much to share about the story yet, particularly the context of the N-Ray Facility quest, we do see changes in conversation mechanics. In the gameplay video, you 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 patch her up or respond differently. This part also introduces a new companion, Aza, a former cultist who joins you, adding depth to the narrative and gameplay dynamics.

Many of these elements were present in the original *The Outer Worlds*, but the sequel aims to fully realize the vision Obsidian set out to achieve. My conversations with the team at Obsidian provided insights into the new features and the driving vision behind the sequel. They are keen on leveraging the RPG roots from their past while pushing the boundaries of what a modern first-person RPG can be, drawing parallels to *Fallout*—specifically *Fallout: New Vegas*, which gives me high hopes for *The Outer Worlds 2*.

This is just the beginning of what's to come in The Outer Worlds 2 and our coverage for this month's IGN First. I'll be delving into character builds, the new flaws system, the array of wild and wacky weapons, and exploring how much larger this sequel is 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 throughout April for more exciting updates!