The Outer Worlds 2's Protagonist is Already a Far Cry From the First One

The Outer Worlds 2 is set for a 2025 release. Obsidian’s latest game is a sequel, but will have several fundamental changes that will differentiate it significantly from its predecessor, especially in regard to character and setting. The Outer Worlds 2 follows a new protagonist, who takes on the role of an agent of the Earth Directorate. Players can also expect some major setting and character-build changes, with never-before-seen companions in a different system, and the introduction of fresh RPG mechanics.

Additionally, the protagonist of The Outer Worlds 2 is a stark contrast to its predecessor. Rather than being a colonist, the protagonist of The Outer Worlds 2 has been confirmed to be an agent of the Earth Directorate, essentially a government official. The agent has allegedly been deployed to deal with warring factions, as well as solve the mystery of interdimensional rifts that are tearing apart the space-time continuum.

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The Outer Worlds 2 May Walk the Same Path as Avowed, But it Could Go Further

The Outer Worlds 2 might share similarities with Avowed, but the former may benefit from leaning harder into its RPG elements.

Unveiling The Outer Worlds 2’s Protagonist

As a member of the Earth Directorate, The Outer World 2‘s protagonist already has a very different role to The Outer World‘s Stranger. Not much is known about them yet, but as they’re a part of a key government entity that was originally based on Earth, it can be assumed that they’ll have more assets and authority than the Stranger, who was a lower-ranking colonist on the Hope. The fate of Earth in The Outer Worlds was in question, and so having the protagonist be a member of the Earth Directorate may mean that the game will provide answers at some point, either through its protagonist or over the course of its storyline.

The Outer Worlds 2 will be set in the system of Arcadia, a new location to be depicted in-game, and the place where the skip drive was invented. The protagonist will need all the authority and backing they can get, as they set out to resolve a conflict between new factions that have formed in Arcadia. The Protectorate of Arcadia has been challenged on two fronts: the rebellion of a religious order, and a familiar threat in the form of a corporate invasion.

Building and Roleplaying The Outer Worlds 2’s Earth Directorate Agent

Obsidian has revealed that one of the changes to The Outer Worlds 2‘s player character is more freedom to build and roleplay them, so that they can become exactly what the player imagines. Like its predecessor, The Outer Worlds 2‘s protagonist will have a selection of backgrounds that the player can choose from that inform the protagonist’s life before joining the Earth Directorate. Only a fraction of these backgrounds have been revealed, but they range from Ex-Convict and Gambler to Professor and Lawbringer. Backgrounds will not add bonuses to skills, and will instead bring in new conversation topics.

The Outer Worlds 2’s Protagonist is a Flawed Character

Another addition to building the protagonist is the introduction of a Flaw system. Flaws are offered based on the player’s behavior, and offer a bonus, such as additional XP, in exchange for a major debilitating factor, such as experiencing sun-flares that limit vision in daylight. It’s up to the player to accept or reject these Flaws, and each one requires balancing the advantages with the disadvantages.

The Perk system from The Outer Worlds has been expanded to 90 Perks in total, and affects every aspect of gameplay, from conversations to highlighting useful items in the environment, rather than being limited to combat. Perks can offer new conversation trees and affect multiple areas of gameplay in different ways. Combined with an improved Skill system, there are more options than ever before to customize The Outer Worlds 2‘s protagonist for roleplaying and combat.