Welcome to our latest IGN First – a month of exclusive coverage in April, dedicated entirely to *The Outer Worlds 2*. This is your first glimpse into its real-time gameplay, featuring a quest where you infiltrate the N-Ray Facility. This showcase not only highlights several new features and mechanics but also demonstrates a reimagined approach to level design. One of the standout aspects for me is how this sequel aims to delve deeper into its RPG elements, with developer Obsidian drawing inspiration from its rich history and even incorporating elements from immersive sims like *Deus Ex* and *Dishonored*.

While first-person RPGs have traditionally included such DNA, *The Outer Worlds 2* introduces more sophisticated systems than its predecessor. This includes a true stealth system and enhanced tools to support this playstyle, such as effective melee weapons and skills for silent takedowns. For instance, the health bar above enemies now features a purple-colored indicator that shows potential stealth attack damage, allowing you to assess whether a one-hit kill is feasible or if engaging is worthwhile. Additionally, enemies can detect dead bodies and alert others, but you can mitigate this by using a skill that disintegrates bodies instantly.

The Outer Worlds 2 Gameplay - Screenshots

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Later in the quest, you acquire the N-Ray Scanner, which allows you to see through walls to detect objects, NPCs, and enemies. This tool is vital not only for solving complex environmental puzzles but also for enhancing your stealth and combat strategies. The N-Ray Facility is home to cloaked enemies who are invisible to the naked eye but not to the N-Ray Scanner, emphasizing the importance of this gadget in gameplay.

The game features several interlocking systems that influence your playstyle, emphasizing the RPG elements that define character builds. While stealth and immersive sim influences expand the gameplay, Obsidian also focused on improving gunplay, drawing inspiration from *Destiny* to enhance the feel of firearms. Although *The Outer Worlds 2* isn't shifting to a full-on shooter, it offers a more refined first-person shooting experience.

This focus on gunplay is evident when approaching the N-Ray Facility with a guns-blazing strategy. Movement mechanics have been adjusted to complement shooting, enabling you to perform agile maneuvers like sprint-sliding while aiming down sights. The return of Tactical Time Dilation (TTD) further enhances the bullet-time experience in combat. Additionally, the inclusion of throwables, such as grenades, allows for dynamic combat scenarios, like tossing a grenade, activating TTD, and shooting it midair to detonate on unsuspecting foes.

While there isn't much to share about the story yet, including the context of the N-Ray Facility quest, the gameplay video reveals tweaks to conversational mechanics. In a scene, you encounter an NPC named Exemplar Foxworth, who has survived a cultist takeover. You can choose to help her based on your Medical stat or respond according to your Guns or Melee stats. The segment also introduces a new companion, Aza, a former cultist whose frenetic energy adds a unique dynamic to your team.

Although many of these elements were present in the original *Outer Worlds*, the sequel aims to fully realize the vision that was laid out in the first game. Through early access and conversations with Obsidian, I gained insights into the new features and the guiding vision for *The Outer Worlds 2*. The team is keen on leveraging the studio's RPG heritage while exploring what a modern first-person RPG can be, often citing *Fallout: New Vegas* as a benchmark. This approach has certainly raised my expectations for the game.

This is just a glimpse of what's in store for *The Outer Worlds 2* and what we're covering in this month's IGN First. I'll be diving deeper into character builds, the new flaws system, the array of quirky weapons, and the expansive 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. Stay tuned to IGN throughout April for more exciting updates!