Welcome to our latest IGN First, featuring a month of exclusive coverage in April, dedicated entirely to *The Outer Worlds 2*. This is your very first look at real-time gameplay, showcasing a quest where you infiltrate the N-Ray Facility. This demo highlights several new features and mechanics, as well as a fresh approach to level design. What struck me most is how deeply this game delves into RPG territory, with developer Obsidian drawing from its rich history and taking inspiration from immersive sims like *Deus Ex* and *Dishonored*.

Unlike its predecessor, *The Outer Worlds 2* boasts more sophisticated systems, including a true stealth system and enhanced tools that make this playstyle more viable. For instance, you now have effective melee weapons and skills for silent takedowns. A new feature is the health bar above enemy heads, which includes a purple-colored readout showing potential damage from a stealth attack. This helps you decide whether to go for a one-hit kill or if it's worth engaging the target at all. Additionally, enemies can detect dead bodies and alert guards, but you can mitigate this risk with a skill that allows you to disintegrate bodies instantly.

The Outer Worlds 2 Gameplay - Screenshots

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Later in the quest, you acquire the N-Ray Scanner, a device that allows you to see certain objects, NPCs, and enemies through walls. This tool is crucial not only for solving complex environmental puzzles but also for stealth and combat strategies. The N-Ray Facility is filled with cloaked enemies who are invisible to the naked eye but detectable with the N-Ray Scanner. Failing to use it diligently can leave you vulnerable to surprise attacks, illustrating how gadgets add a new dimension to gameplay.

The game features several interlocking systems that influence your playstyle, emphasizing RPG elements for character builds. Stealth and immersive sim elements are just part of the equation. Obsidian has also focused on improving gunplay, taking inspiration from *Destiny* to enhance the feel of firearms. While *The Outer Worlds 2* isn't turning into a full-on shooter, it aims to deliver a more satisfying first-person shooting experience.

This is evident in the N-Ray Facility approach where you can go in guns blazing. Movement mechanics have been refined to complement gunplay, allowing for more dynamic actions like sprint-sliding while aiming down sights. The return of Tactical Time Dilation (TTD) enhances the bullet-time experience, making it a vital part of your combat strategy. We also see the introduction of throwables, which, while not groundbreaking, add another layer to your arsenal. Imagine tossing a grenade, activating TTD, and then shooting the grenade midair to create a devastating explosion on unsuspecting foes.

While there isn't much to reveal about the story yet, the gameplay video features a moment where you encounter an NPC named Exemplar Foxworth, who has survived a cultist takeover. Depending on your Medical, Guns, or Melee stats, you can choose to help her or respond accordingly. This interaction also introduces a new companion, Aza, a former cultist with a frantic demeanor who joins your quest to right the wrongs she helped perpetrate.

Although *The Outer Worlds* laid the groundwork for Obsidian's vision, *The Outer Worlds 2* feels like the full realization of that initial promise. My discussions with the team at Obsidian revealed a strong commitment to the RPG roots of their past while pushing the boundaries of what a modern first-person RPG can be. They frequently cited *Fallout: New Vegas* as a key influence, which certainly raises my expectations for this sequel.

This is just the beginning of what's in store for *The Outer Worlds 2* during this month's IGN First. I'll be diving deeper into character builds, the new flaws system, the array of unique weapons, and the expansive scope of this sequel through interviews with key figures such as original *Fallout* developer and creative director Leonard Boyarsky, game director Brandon Adler, and design director Matt Singh. Stay tuned to IGN all April for more exciting updates!