The Outer Worlds 2 Early Access Impressions – Bigger, Bolder, and Closer to New Vegas Than Ever

After years of anticipation, The Outer Worlds 2 has finally landed in Early Access—and fans are already diving deep into Obsidian Entertainment’s newest cosmic RPG. While the full release is still slated for October 29, 2025, the pre-release build is already drawing comparisons to Fallout: New Vegas, with players calling it Obsidian’s “best RPG in years.”

With 88% of the 321 early reviews being positive, it’s clear this sequel has struck a strong first impression. But as with most early access titles, it’s not without rough edges. Here’s what players are saying so far.

Checkout the official Early Access trailer here .

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A Strong Start That Feels Like Classic Obsidian

Across multiple reviews, players agree on one thing: The Outer Worlds 2 doesn’t reinvent the wheel—it refines it. One reviewer summed it up perfectly:

“The Outer Worlds 2 doesn’t try to reinvent anything, and that’s exactly why it works.”

This sentiment echoes through dozens of impressions. Fans describe it as a natural evolution of the original—smarter, sharper, and packed with choices that matter. The writing feels tighter, the worlds richer, and the roleplaying more rewarding.

Even early in the game, players report being impressed by how dialogue choices and skill levels influence interactions. From breaking open locked doors using strength to manipulating conversations with charisma, The Outer Worlds 2 immediately reminds fans of Obsidian’s golden age of RPG design.

Combat and Gameplay: Snappier, Harder, and More Rewarding

Nearly every player mentioned combat improvements. Gunplay now “feels very snappy,” animations are “massively improved,” and sound design—especially the bullet effects—was described as “pure serotonin.”

Several reviewers recommend jumping straight into Hard Mode, noting that Normal difficulty feels too easy for experienced players. On higher settings, however, the game rewards tactical thinking. One player recalled a standout boss fight where they had to “trap the boss using terrain and grenades,” turning the battlefield itself into a weapon.

Obsidian also seems to have nailed weapon feedback. Guns hit harder, melee builds feel impactful, and stealth options are much more viable this time. A player who went full stealth-melee reported being rewarded with “lethal sneak crits and meaningful quest variation based on choices.”

Even those who played on handheld hardware, like the Steam Deck OLED, praised how smooth and responsive combat felt, calling it “one of the best handheld RPGs this year.”

Choices That Actually Matter

Choice-driven design is the backbone of any good RPG, and The Outer Worlds 2 appears to double down on it. Players highlight how backgrounds, traits, and skills frequently influence dialogue, exploration, and quest outcomes—even in small moments.

One early mission, involving a jammed cabin door aboard the player’s ship, reportedly offered three different ways to solve it—a small but telling example of the game’s flexible design.

Reviewers also praised how the game locks certain choices based on build, forcing meaningful replayability. “I’ve seen myself locked out of multiple options due to character build and with no way to respec,” one player wrote, calling it “a positive design choice that encourages second playthroughs.”

Fans of Fallout: New Vegas will feel right at home. Many describe The Outer Worlds 2 as “New Vegas in space”—a game that rewards clever builds and moral flexibility without holding your hand.

Companions and Writing: A Return to Obsidian’s Wit

Companions are often the heart of any Obsidian RPG, and fans say the studio hasn’t missed a beat. Early impressions call out standout crewmates like Aza, described as “sarcastic, deadly, and hilarious.” Each companion brings unique tactical perks, encouraging players to swap them out depending on enemy resistances or support needs.

Players say the dialogue feels darker, sharper, and funnier than before, balancing absurd humor with serious undertones. One long-form reviewer even called it “Obsidian’s best writing since New Vegas.”

Side quests, too, seem to shine. Weird missions, twisted corporate satire, and quirky faction conflicts keep the universe feeling alive and unpredictable. The writing walks a fine line between tragic and absurd, something few studios pull off as well as Obsidian.

Visuals, Performance, and Art Direction

Visually, The Outer Worlds 2 improves upon its predecessor without losing its signature pulp-sci-fi charm. Players highlight the enhanced lighting, smoother animations, and beautifully rendered cutscenes in the opening hours.

However, the consensus is clear: turn off ray tracing. One reviewer bluntly wrote,

“TURN OFF RAY TRACING. That ♥♥♥♥ has minimal benefits graphically yet is so detrimental to performance.”

Performance issues are among the most common complaints. Some users with high-end setups (like RTX 4080 and 5080 GPUs) report inconsistent frame rates in open-world zones, shader compilation bugs, and occasional stuttering. Others got stuck entirely on the “compiling shaders” screen.

Despite these hiccups, many note that the game runs surprisingly well on Steam Deck, especially the OLED model. Players praised its stability on Very High settings, calling it a “top-tier handheld experience.”

Crafting, Character Creator, and Customization

If there’s one area that divides players, it’s customization. While skill builds and perks get high praise, the character creator has been criticized for being “very poor compared to almost every RPG out there.” Hairstyles, in particular, were singled out for looking outdated and lacking variety.

Crafting also feels undercooked. Players can mod existing gear but can’t forge new weapons or armor. For stealth or melee builds, the limited early-game loot pool can feel restrictive. “If you’re running a sneak-melee build, melee weapon variety is limited early on,” one reviewer said.

Still, the perk system and progression loop keep players engaged enough to overlook these flaws. Replay value appears strong, with some players already planning second and third playthroughs.

The Darker Tone and Replay Potential

Many reviews note a darker tone compared to the first game—something fans of Pentiment and Pillars of Eternity will appreciate. The humor remains, but the stakes feel higher, and moral choices carry more weight.

One player compared it to a fusion of influences:

“This game is like a mix of Dishonored’s stealth, Bioshock’s look, and New Vegas’ choices.”

That combination seems to have hit home. Several players describe the game as “addictive” and “impossible to put down.” One fan admitted to playing nine hours straight on day one, calling it “a huge improvement in literally every single possible way.”

Not Everyone’s Sold Yet

Despite the overwhelming positivity, not every review is glowing. A handful of players found the game soulless and fetch quest-heavy, complaining that it lacks the emotional spark of the original. Others were frustrated by the optimization issues, long shader compilations, and occasional stuttering.

Performance woes aside, even critical players acknowledged the game’s strong foundations. As one reviewer put it:

“Gameplay, story, humor, combat — 10/10. Performance — 2/10. Once they fix it, it’ll be amazing.”

Early Verdict: A Worthy Successor in the Making

Based on early access impressions, The Outer Worlds 2 feels like the sequel fans hoped for—bigger, bolder, and more confident in its identity. It doubles down on choice-driven storytelling, delivers improved combat, and embraces Obsidian’s dark humor without compromise.

Yes, the optimization needs work, and the character creator could use an overhaul. But beneath those issues lies a deeply replayable, player-driven RPG that already feels like a return to form for Obsidian Entertainment.

If these pre-release impressions are any indication, The Outer Worlds 2 might just be the studio’s best game since New Vegas.

FAQs – The Outer Worlds 2

1: When is The Outer Worlds 2 releasing?
The game’s full release is set for October 29, 2025, following its current Early Access period.

2: What are the system requirements?
Minimum specs haven’t been officially confirmed, but players report smooth performance on mid to high-end PCs (RTX 3060 and above recommended). Turning off ray tracing significantly improves stability.

3: Is The Outer Worlds 2 available on PS5?
Yes. The game is coming to PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 at full launch.

4: What are early reviews saying?
As of now, The Outer Worlds 2 holds a “Very Positive” rating on Steam, with 88% of 321 early reviews recommending the game.

5: How much does it cost?
The price hasn’t been finalized for the full release, but Early Access editions are priced at $59.99 in most regions.

6: Is there a trailer?
Yes, the official gameplay trailer showcases improved visuals, companion interactions, and the darker narrative tone.

7: Are companions returning?
Absolutely. Companions play a major role, with smarter AI, unique abilities, and more dynamic interactions than before.

8: Is there romance in The Outer Worlds 2?
Obsidian hasn’t confirmed full romance arcs, but players report deeper personal quests and stronger emotional connections with companions.

9: How’s the "The Outer Worlds 2" overall gameplay?
Players describe it as snappier, more tactical, and more rewarding, with meaningful build options and improved shooting mechanics.