First Impressions
Pros
- Extensive Character Creation system
- Massively improved Combat System
- Beautiful visuals and art design
- Fantastic sound design
Cons
- Still challenging for those that need more of a guiding hand
- Combat can take a while to get used to
When the original Outward launched back in 2019, it instantly became a fan favorite due to its approach. Instead of being an all-conquering hero, you’re just an ordinary adventurer getting their start in the world, exploring for the first time. With added survival elements, a map that you really had to study to learn where you are and where you need to get to (there are no map markers here for you!), there was so much to love about it.
And yet, it was clear that this was a labor of love created on a small budget that required developer Nine Dots Studio to cut or pare back some of the features they’d have liked to implement. To achieve a sprawling world with so much to see and do, all on the Unity Engine, is nothing short of remarkable.
So you won’t be surprised to hear my excitement at being invited on Outward 2’s press tour recently to go hands-on with this ambitious sequel, which has seen the game level up across the board.
You can’t help but explore when the areas look this good.
Character Creation
Before I even got into the game itself, I had the chance to fully take the new character creation for a spin, and it’s one of the largest improvements to Outward 2. The shift to Unreal Engine has not only improved the visuals in-game, but also on the character you create, something that was sorely needed after the limited one offered in the original (no more Potato here). Right from the start, after choosing from your desired body type, you can see a wealth of options for your skin color, additional textures, many hair types (where you can attach additional parts to it), and much more! To say it’s a massive improvement over the basic offerings of the original is an understatement.
That’s not where the character creation ends, though, as you’ll then begin to craft out your adventurer’s backstory along with some traits and personal history. To begin with, you’ll need to settle on a starting region out of the three available. All three locations offer a distinct look and feel, but after being told that Haboob was inspired by the alien-like feeling that the Elder Scrolls: Morrowind invoked, my choice was already made up for me.
I already found myself attached to my character before I even began my adventure.
The final steps of the character creation center around your starting history. This will give you unique dialogue options based on what you choose, and it will also affect some of your starting stats (which now make an appearance in Outward 2 in the form of traditional stats, such as Agility and Strength). You’ll also get the opportunity to select two Traits, like Fleet-Footed, that will increase your Agility at the cost of Constitution, while also providing unique dialogue choices.
All of these additions fixed one of my biggest issues with the original, and I already found myself attached to my character before I even began my adventure. It also greatly increases the likelihood of me creating multiple characters (I fear for my sanity of constantly creating new and exciting characters already!).
Character Creation in Outward 2 is a massive improvement.
A Grand Adventure
The original Outward nailed the experience of being a regular person who goes on an adventure, and Outward 2 continues that trend with an excellent opening. It’s immediately apparent to see all the new bells and whistles, such as fully animated cutscenes, voice acting (of which we’ve been assured is planned to have everything voiced eventually), and fantastic writing that continues to be a treat with the series.
It should be said, if the original Outward’s lack of guidance was a problem for you, the sequel won’t do much to change it for you. You’re still left to your own devices to go around speaking to people and exploring, all without giant quest markers pointing the way. I was a massive fan of the original for this very reason, so it was reassuring to see that developer Nine Dots Studio kept to the same design philosophy.
Haboob has stunning art direction that makes it a joy to explore.
Still, once the intro is over, I find myself in the beautiful Haboob, a settlement with an alien-like feeling to it that is situated in a dense forest. When looking up, I can see the branches covering the sky while the light filters through below, another huge improvement that the move to the Unreal Engine brings to it. After learning that I’ve inherited a house here and speaking with my housekeeper, Sebastian, I’m urged to go and speak with the Chamberlain to find out more about this inheritance.
In true Outward fashion, I take the time to explore my surroundings, with plenty of people to speak to, places to see, and eventually, after speaking to the Chamberlain, I return home to retire for the night, as my adventurer grows tired. All hell breaks loose after sleeping, and after being both framed and arrested, I’m given a new mission: to prove my innocence within 18 days or have my house put up for auction, a deadline that must be respected as I’m told or it will happen. Nothing like a bit of pressure to raise the stakes, eh?
Outward 2 features seasons, and the areas will change to that, such as snow in the winter.
I find myself outside at this point, and the forest is both deadly and beautiful in equal parts. After running into a woman a short distance from town, I’m given a beautifully designed map (which I’m told is uniquely designed to fit each area’s theme) and some guidance on where to go next. It was at this point that I decided to do what Outward 2 encourages most, go out and explore, get into some fights, and learn what I can and can’t do.
Another new feature to Outward 2 is a new Calendar system, featuring six days to three weeks, over the course of eight months, with each day taking around 1 hour of real time. This not only impacts certain quests (like my current one to prove my innocence), but also the locales themselves. Outward 2 features seasons, and the areas will change to that, such as snow in the winter, and while I didn’t get a chance to see it in action during my playtest, I’m already excited for the potential scenarios it can bring up.
Combat Evolved
Perhaps my largest issue with the original Outward was combat; while mostly serviceable, movement always felt a bit floaty, and for the most part, it felt like a chore, something I had to do to get back to exploring the world. Combat in Outward 2 is perhaps the biggest leap it has over the original, transforming it into an exhilarating battle system that actually got me seeking enemies to fight, something I never did in the original.
Combat in Outward 2 is perhaps the biggest leap it has over the original, transforming it into an exhilarating battle system…
Combat flows better with improved blocking, dodging, and parrying systems, and you can use a mixture of light and special attacks to assault your foe. Every weapon type has unique animations that can be canceled out of, and you can easily dual-wield one-handed weapons or go for two-handed weapons with unique attacks to make up for the lack of a secondary weapon. As a regular adventurer, you’ll need to seek out and learn how to use Mana before you can put it to use, but the skill trainers return with plenty of flexibility and abilities for you to unlock and learn, be it active or passive skills.
Combat is the largest improvement over the original in Outward 2, making it a joy to seek out battles.
Injuries and illnesses have seen more focus, too, such as a sprained ankle, which will make it impossible to sprint, or a sprained wrist that will prevent you from dual-wielding. Drink water without boiling it, and you’re likely to get indigestion, all of which plays into the survival focus of Outward 2. I was also impressed with the enemy variety I saw in my short time with the game, and there are lots of stats and resistances to get your teeth stuck into.
Although it’s still early days with Outward 2, I can comfortably say that what I’ve played so far has fixed perhaps every single grievance I had with the original, with the combat being the star of the show, something I never thought I would have said after my experiences with it in the original. Outward 2 is targeting early access in the Summer of 2026, but in the meantime, if you’re eager to check this out sooner (and you should be!), there’s a Playtest that will begin on December 9th. Considering I’m eager to play more already, this should be enough to tide me over until the launch of early access!
Promising Beginnings
Fans of the original Outward should be very excited for Outward 2 as it seems to address all of the issues of the original. Those new to the series have a lot to look forward to as what looks to be another exciting adventure from Nine Dots Studio.
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