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

Welcome to our latest IGN First, where we dedicate the month of April to bringing you exclusive coverage of *The Outer Worlds 2*. This is your very first look at real-time gameplay, featuring a quest that takes you inside the N-Ray Facility. This quest not only showcases several new features and mechanics but also demonstrates how the game is rethinking level design. What really caught my attention is the enhanced depth as an RPG, with developer Obsidian drawing inspiration from their past projects and even immersive sims like *Deus Ex* and *Dishonored*.

While the DNA of first-person RPGs has always been present, *The Outer Worlds 2* introduces more sophisticated systems than its predecessor. For instance, it boasts a true stealth system with better tools to support this playstyle, including effective melee weapons and skills that enable silent takedowns. A purple-colored readout above enemy heads indicates the potential damage from a stealth attack, helping you decide if a one-hit kill is possible or if it's worth the risk. Moreover, enemies can detect dead bodies and alert guards, but you can manage this if you possess a skill 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 and NPCs/enemies through walls. This tool is essential for solving intricate environmental puzzles and is also crucial for both stealth and combat strategies. At the N-Ray Facility, enemies can cloak themselves, becoming invisible to the naked eye but not to the N-Ray Scanner. Failing to use it diligently can lead to ambushes by these cloaked foes, adding a new layer of challenge to the gameplay.

The game features several interlocking systems that enhance the RPG elements, allowing for diverse character builds. Beyond stealth and immersive sim influences, *The Outer Worlds 2* has focused on improving gunplay, taking cues from *Destiny* to refine the feel of firearms. While not turning into a full-fledged shooter, the game now offers a more satisfying first-person shooting experience.

This improvement in gunplay is evident when approaching the N-Ray Facility with a more aggressive strategy. Movement mechanics have been refined to complement the shooting dynamics, allowing for agile actions like sprint-sliding while aiming down sights. The return of Tactical Time Dilation (TTD) enhances the bullet-time experience, making it a key part of your combat strategy. Additionally, the inclusion of throwables adds another dimension to your arsenal, enabling creative tactics such as tossing a grenade, activating TTD, and shooting it midair to surprise enemies.

While we don't have much to share about the story yet, or the context of the N-Ray Facility quest, we can see that conversation mechanics have been slightly tweaked for the sequel. In the gameplay video, there's an interaction with 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 differently. This segment also introduces a new companion, Aza, a former cultist with a frantic demeanor, who joins you to rectify past actions.

Many of these elements were present in the original *Outer Worlds*, but where that game laid the groundwork for Obsidian, *The Outer Worlds 2* aims to fully realize the vision it set out to achieve. Through early gameplay and discussions with Obsidian, I gained insights into the new features and the vision behind the sequel. The game is keen on embracing Obsidian's RPG heritage while exploring what a modern first-person RPG can be, often referencing *Fallout: New Vegas* as a guiding light. This has certainly raised my expectations for *The Outer Worlds 2*.

This is just a glimpse of what's in store for *The Outer Worlds 2* and what we'll be covering throughout this month's IGN First. I'll be diving into character builds, the new flaws system, the array of wild and wacky weapons, and the expanded scope of the 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 all April for more exciting updates!