The Outer Worlds 2 is somehow not Obsidian's first game in the past year. Despite being smaller than most developers, Obsidian Entertainment will have released two games within the same year as each other, the first being the somewhat well-received fantasy RPG, Avowed, and the second being The Outer Worlds 2 later this year. However, it doesn't seem like either project has suffered as a result, as while Avowed had its shortcomings, it still delivered a compelling action-RPG experience with a heavy emphasis on the action part.

Much like how everyone compared Avowed to Skyrim, people are now comparing Outer Worlds 2 to Starfield. Fortunately, where Avowed faced almost unreasonably high expectations with its comparison, The Outer Worlds 2 may have gotten off a little lightly as Bethesda's much-maligned space epic didn't do enough to resonate with audiences, owing to some outdated gameplay design and visuals. However, as easy as The Outer Worlds 2 may have it, new gameplay footage makes it appear that it is copying Starfield perhaps a little too closely.

The Outer Worlds 2 Has New Gameplay Footage

They Released 11 Minutes Of Gameplay

In the build-up to the Xbox Summer Showcase, where lots of new Outer Worlds 2 gameplay will be showcased, Obsidian Entertainment is building up hype for its next game. As part of this, IGN has shared a full 11 minutes of The Outer Worlds 2 gameplay footage, which takes viewers through a mission part of the way into the game. This mission follows the player as they explore an underground facility and help out an NPC to clear out some cultists and collect an important item.

It is fairly standard stuff, comprised of a dialogue-heavy exchange in which the player's former cultist companion chimes in every so often with a quip or insightful piece of exposition, as well as some action-packed encounters. A stand-out moment is when the player throws a grenade, slows down time, and blasts it in midair, exploding the cultists beneath it. While a brief part of a larger encounter, it is a good showcase of how Obsidian has retained spirit from the last game and why The Outer Worlds 2 remains one of the most anticipated FPS of 2025.

We also got to see a range of dialogue options, including the ability to offer a health kit, ones based on the type of weapon the player has equipped, and some that were locked due to the player not having the required skills. It all seemed relatively standard for The Outer Worlds, although there were a few fun weapons thrown into the mix that helped spice things up. However, despite this relatively tame offering doing little to indicate how the sequel has expanded on the last entry, it did feel very reminiscent of Starfield, and not in a good way.

The Outer Worlds 2 Is Copying The Worst Parts Of Starfield

Loading Screens, Facial Animations, & More

There is a lot that I believe is wrong with Starfield, from its poor implementation of procedurally generated worlds, lackluster writing and story, endless loading screens, and complete and utter lack of immersion to its plethora of missed opportunities, missing identity, and boring loop. Basically, I find there is a lot to dislike about Starfield. So, you can imagine my surprise when, in 2025, The Outer Worlds 2 still employs loading screens between areas, much like Starfield. It certainly wasn't on my bingo card for the year.

Avowed does have loading screens between its major areas, which is a result of it abandoning the open-world formula - something, ittedly, I'm grateful for. However, this Outer Worlds 2 gameplay sees the player load into the dungeon connected to the area they were just in, rather than an entirely new region of the world. It is a strange choice, one that will only serve to make its world feel all the more limiting and take the player out of the adventure they're already in. It's a shame, especially as The Outer Worlds 2 is a next-gen exclusive.

Granted, the loading time between these two areas is mercifully short, unlike in Starfield, but it feels like an outdated inclusion. There's also an issue with facial animations, or really lack thereof, in this gameplay footage. Both the NPC the player talks to and their companion are wearing masks, so you can't see their faces at all during dialogue. I can't help but feel that this was a purposeful decision, especially considering the mission and area they've picked for the gameplay are fairly average at best.

It is possible that The Outer Worlds 2's facial animations are better than Starfield's, but it is somewhat telling that we haven't seen them in motion yet.

It is possible that The Outer Worlds 2's facial animations are better than Starfield's, but it is somewhat telling that we haven't seen them in motion yet. Avowed's facial animations weren't the best, despite that game looking impressive otherwise, so it stands to reason that The Outer Worlds 2's won't be great either. I also had an issue with the endlessly quippy companion who talks even while you're sneaking around, mainly because it evoked memories of playing with Starfield's terrible cast of companions.

The Outer Worlds 2 Could Still Be Amazing

This Is Just A Taste Of What Is To Come

However, as much as the bland environments, missing facial animations, and loading screens seen in this particular chunk of The Outer Worlds 2 footage are somewhat worrying, I find myself still feeling a tad excited for Obsidian Entertainment's next project. I've yet to play a truly terrible Obsidian game or one that lacks ambition and creative ideas, even if they're not perfectly executed. I do trust that, much like with the rather unique and excellent Avowed, it will pull off another inspired experience for fans.

This is also just 11 minutes of footage, and frankly, I've spent more time doing something dull in some of my favorite games. While the footage one chooses to put out ahead of a game's launch is typically curated and an indication of a desired experience, I'm also inclined to believe that Obsidian Entertainment was just putting this out as a taster and has more up its sleeve for the Xbox Summer Showcase. After all, The Outer Worlds 2 has had a very lengthy development, so one can only assume there's a lot more to it than just this.

I'm also just trying to be more positive about games in general, as hard as that may be to believe. It is easy to be cautious and overreact to something as simple as early gameplay footage, but that is also because we've all been burned by it many times in the past. Nevertheless, I'm choosing, at least for now, to believe that there's more to The Outer Worlds 2 than meets the eye, as, frankly, I really would like it to be good and any money I end up paying for it to be well spent.

Source: IGN/YouTube