We are less than a week away from the release of The Outer Worlds 2, the long-awaited sequel to Obsidian Entertainment's dark horse RPG from 2019.
To help build some last-minute hype for this upcoming Xbox title, the review embargo has been lifted for The Outer Worlds 2, giving critics a chance to share their thoughts on the game for the entire world to see.
- Noisy Pixel (9/10): "The Outer Worlds 2 is a confident and evolved sequel that deepens Obsidian's signature blend of player agency, narrative impact, and dark satire. Set in a galaxy divided by ideology and shaped by choice, it refines nearly every system from its predecessor while introducing dynamic flaws, factional politics, and layered exploration that rewards curiosity. Though some visuals and early customization options fall short, its storytelling, companion design, and flexible mission structure shine throughout a 40+ hour journey."
- XboxEra (9/10): "The Outer Worlds 2 is a confidently made game. It is perfectly-scoped, with excellent gameplay, writing, and voice acting. The combat and movement are the biggest step up over the original. Whether you have played that title or not, if you want a choice-heavy, narrative-rich adventure in a far-off solar system, then this game is worth a download or Game Pass, or buying outright."
- Game Informer (8.75/10): "The Outer Worlds 2 doesn’t drastically change the already great formula developer Obsidian Entertainment created with The Outer Worlds more than half a decade ago. Instead, this expansive sequel follows in the footsteps of many other great RPG follow-ups, with more places to explore, more loot to find, and crucially, plenty of new ways to directly influence and shape your own adventure in space. Though its main narrative is anti-climactic, I’m left amazed by how much Obsidian was able to cram into this 30-hour odyssey, with side content that weaves seamlessly in and out of the golden path and a level of reflexivity other RPGs often try and fail to achieve."
- IGN (8/10): "The Outer Worlds 2 doesn’t try to rewrite Obsidian’s RPG playbook, but it’s yet another strong refinement, with smoother combat, diabolically compelling buildcrafting and loot, and a story that immediately made me want to start again to see an alternate outcome. The sluggish first act and lack of enemy variety make it a bit of a slog at certain times, but once its story of political intrigue kicks in and the new flaws and perks system gets its claws in you, it can be quite hard to put down. All these improvements put The Outer Worlds 2 that much closer to being the Fallout: New Vegas successor we hoped this series would be, and that’s worth getting excited about."
- Eurogamer (8/10): "The Outer Worlds 2 is for better and worse still fluffy gaming comfort food, but it is significantly improved and better than its predecessor in almost every way."
- GameSpot (8/10): "The Outer Worlds 2 feels like the series coming into its own, carried by flexible combat options and great role-playing progression. The first Outer Worlds felt like Obsidian trying to recapture the magic of Fallout's apocalyptic future in a new spacefaring context. The Outer Worlds 2 cements this setting as its own identity that can exist alongside its sci-fi contemporaries to deliver something that is familiar, but also distinctly its own."
- Xbox Achievements (8/10): "The Outer Worlds 2 is a thoroughly enjoyable sequel, boasting an injection of adrenaline-fuelled gameplay compared to the original. We can't help but feel like it's lost a little bit of its soul when it comes to choice and consequence, but that doesn't take away from the overall experience. Just temper your expectations."
It appears that The Outer Worlds 2 is a successful refinement of Obsidian's darkly satirical, sci-fi universe
As you can see, a majority of reviews posted for The Outer Worlds 2 have been highly favorable thus far. Our own Samuel Tolbert also did a review for The Outer Worlds 2 here at Windows Central and enjoyed it so much that he gave it 4.5/5 stars.
Samuel heaped praise on the game for vastly improving upon the first Outer World's combat system with refined gunplay and implementing a crunchy skill system that rewards commitment to character builds while increasing replay value.
Samuel also loved The Outer Worlds 2 for its complex story, comedic side-quests, well-written and witty dialogue, and absolutely gorgeous sci-fi worlds rich with alien environments and secrets to uncover.
Obsidian's been knocking it out of this year with smash hits like Avowed and Grounded 2, and from the looks of these reviews, The Outer Worlds 2 is looking to be fine, 3rd homerun to cap such a successful year for the company.
If you're interested in checking out The Outer Worlds 2, it's available for pre-order and will be released on October 29, 2025.
FAQ
What is The Outer Worlds 2?
The Outer Worlds 2 is a first-person RPG where you are tasked with saving the colony of Arcadia from being destroyed by a factional war, by any means necessary.
What's the release date for The Outer Worlds 2?
The Outer Worlds 2 will launch on October 29, 2025. Pre-ordering the Premium Edition will allow players five days of early access on October 24, 2025.
What platforms will The Outer Worlds 2 be released on?
The Outer Worlds 2 will be available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC via Windows & Steam.
Is The Outer Worlds 2 on Xbox Game Pass?
Yes, The Outer Worlds 2 will be available, Day One, on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
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