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

Welcome to our latest IGN First, where we're diving deep into a month of exclusive coverage for April, and it's all about *The Outer Worlds 2*. This is your very first look at its gameplay in real time, showcasing a quest where you infiltrate the N-Ray Facility. This quest not only demonstrates several new features and mechanics but also highlights how the game rethinks level design. What really stands out to me is how much deeper *The Outer Worlds 2* is set to be as an RPG. Developer Obsidian Entertainment is drawing inspiration from its rich history and even borrowing elements from immersive sims like *Deus Ex* and *Dishonored*.

While the DNA of first-person RPGs has always been there, *The Outer Worlds 2* introduces more sophisticated systems compared to its predecessor. A true stealth system is now in place, along with better tools to make this playstyle viable, including effective melee weapons and skills that enable silent takedowns. A notable feature is the health bar above enemy heads, featuring a purple-colored readout that indicates the potential damage from a stealth attack. This helps you decide if you can achieve a one-hit kill or if it's even worth engaging the target. Enemies can detect dead bodies and alert guards, but with the right skill, you can disintegrate bodies on the spot to clean up quickly.

The Outer Worlds 2 Gameplay - Screenshots

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Later in the quest, you acquire the N-Ray Scanner, a crucial tool that allows you to see certain objects and NPCs/enemies through walls. This is essential for solving complex environmental puzzles and vital for both stealth and combat. Throughout the N-Ray Facility, enemies can cloak themselves, becoming invisible to the naked eye but detectable through the N-Ray Scanner. Failing to use it diligently can lead to unexpected encounters. This addition of gadgets introduces new strategic layers to the gameplay.

Several interlocking systems contribute to how you can play, enhancing the RPG elements that define specific character builds. Stealth and immersive sim sensibilities aren't the only areas where gameplay expands in *The Outer Worlds 2*. Obsidian has focused significantly on improving gunplay, taking inspiration from *Destiny* to ensure a satisfying experience. While *The Outer Worlds 2* isn't turning into a full-on shooter, it now plays more like a polished first-person game with firearms.

You can see this improved gunplay when approaching the N-Ray Facility with guns blazing. Movement has been refined to complement gunplay, allowing you to be more agile. You can now sprint-slide while aiming down sights like an action hero, and the return of Tactical Time Dilation (TTD) enhances the bullet-time fantasy as a crucial part of your combat strategy. We also saw throwables in action, which, while not revolutionary, add another layer to your arsenal. Imagine tossing a grenade, activating TTD, and shooting it midair to detonate on unsuspecting enemies.

While we don't have much to share about the story yet, including the context around the N-Ray Facility quest, we did notice some tweaks in the conversation system in the sequel. In the gameplay video, there's a moment where you confront an NPC named Exemplar Foxworth, who has survived a cultist takeover. She's bleeding out, and you can choose to help her based on your Medical stat or respond according to your Guns or Melee stats. This scene also introduces a new companion, Aza, a former cultist who seems eager to help undo the damage they've caused.

Many of these elements were present in the original *The Outer Worlds*, but while that game laid the groundwork for Obsidian, *The Outer Worlds 2* aims to fully realize the vision they had. In addition to early gameplay access, I had the opportunity to speak with the team at Obsidian to gain insights into the new features and the overarching vision for this sequel. They're keen on leveraging the RPG roots of the studio's past while pushing the boundaries of what a modern first-person RPG can be, drawing parallels to *Fallout* and specifically citing *Fallout: New Vegas* as a key influence. My expectations are certainly high.

This is just a glimpse of what's to come in *The Outer Worlds 2* and what we'll be covering throughout this month's IGN First. I'll be delving into character builds, the new flaws system, the array of unique weapons, and exploring the expanded scope of this sequel through interviews with key figures like original *Fallout* developer and creative director Leonard Boyarsky, game director Brandon Adler, and design director Matt Singh. Keep checking back at IGN all April long for more exciting updates!