Have you ever played Outward? It’s this co-op RPG that really nails the survival adventure vibe. Well, they’re working on a sequel, Outward 2, and it’s looking like it’s going to expand on everything that made the first game so unique. In this article, we’ll be talking about Outward 2, as well as what the changes are compared to the original Outward game. For those who aren’t familiar with the original Outward game, it’s an open-world fantasy RPG where exploration and survival are pretty much the main themes of the game.
You know how most RPGs guide you with a map and glowing quest markers? Outward threw that out the window. Instead, they wanted you to find your own way around so you’re going to be navigating with landmarks, pretty much figuring out where to go on your own, and actually feeling like an adventurer. The sequel is building on that, with a more impressive world, dynamic NPCs, and even seasonal changes that could potentially affect your gameplay. It does sound like the developers are leaning hard into that ‘you’re just a regular person in a dangerous world’ vibe, which I kind of appreciate.
That’s not all though, combat and customization are getting a major overhaul too with stuff like dual-wielding and more fluid animations. They’re even doubling the number of quick slots, which was one of the biggest pain points players had in the first game. Oh, and they’re sticking with two-player co-op, so it’s still going to be all about exploring and surviving with a buddy. With all that said, let’s go deeper into what we know about the game.
Outward 2 – Story and Setting
Alright, so Outward 2 picks up in the far north of the original map, and the setting really leans into the harsh, snowy biomes. It’s not just cold for the sake of aesthetics either—it sounds like surviving in this environment is going to play a big role in how you prepare your character. One confirmed city isTramontane, which seems like it’ll be a major hub for this northern region. While the focus is on colder climates, there are hints of more variety in the landscapes, like autumn-colored areas that might give a bit of relief from the icy vibe.
The world looks like it’s going for that same mix of grounded survival and fantasy that made the first game so unique. They’re promising a more immersive world this time, one that feels more alive compared to the original game with richer details and denser environments. Think of it as a step up from what the original had, a place where the wilderness feels even more dangerous, and every decision about where you go or what you carry could matter.
In terms of the story, they’re putting a bigger emphasis on telling it in a more direct way, which is a shift from how Outward leaned on environmental storytelling and subtle lore. While we don’t have the full details yet, it sounds like they’re aiming to flesh out the narrative, so it’s easier to follow without losing that sense of mystery and discovery. It’s still Outward, though, so you may expect the stakes to feel personal like how you’re not just anyone special but just someone trying to survive in a world that’s bigger and tougher than you.
Outward 2 – Gameplay Mechanics And How It Compares To The Original
From the demo footage I’ve seen about Outward 2, I can tell that there have been a lot of changes from the first game across the board. The combat seems like it still has that deliberate, tactical feel like in the first game where every dodge, block, and hit needs to be planned, but it looks way smoother now. The animations are tighter, and the pacing is just a bit quicker. It’s like they kept the weight and strategy of the original but ditched the clunky bits. Stamina management is still a thing, so you can’t just go in swinging, but it seems a little more forgiving, which could be great for newer players while still keeping it challenging for veterans.
The enemies also seem way more interesting this time around. Some of the hive creatures are back, but there’s a bunch of new ones too, and they seem to really mix up how fights play out. They’ve got more dynamic designs and smarter attacks, so you’re constantly adjusting your approach. Some even look like they work together or pull off surprise moves.
And, of course, as expected from an Outward game, preparation will still be key when it comes to combat. You can’t just rush into a fight without eating or buffing up first, or you’ll burn through stamina or get wrecked by elemental weaknesses. But when you’re prepared, it feels like you’ve outsmarted the game, and that’s so satisfying.
And the skills also look so much better now. In the first game, some of them felt awkward to use, but here they seem to flow right into the action. Cooldowns feel balanced now and you’re not just standing around waiting for something to recharge. And a lot of the new abilities seem like they’ll open up fresh playstyles. Whether you’re all about melee, ranged, or slinging spells, it feels like there’s more room to experiment and really make your build your own.
Okay, let’s talk about customization because Outward 2 looks like it’s finally giving us the tools to make characters that feel personal. Remember how bare-bones the first game was? A handful of preset faces and hairstyles, and that was it? Well, they’re seriously stepping it up. From what Guillaume mentioned in a livestream, they’re adding more detailed models, better-rendered features, and a ton of customization options like scars, tattoos, and even body types. You want your adventurer to look like they’ve been through some serious wilderness survival? Now you’re able to make that happen.
They’re also expanding on cultural influences in customization. Hairstyles and facial features reflect the different regions of Aurai, and they’re even hinting at dyeable options for hair and gear. Maybe even tweaking things like eye color and height. Guillaume also teased that we might see personality traits or small backstory elements that affect how your character interacts with the world. He said it won’t be anything super rigid, but it will be enough to add some extra role-playing depth.
Armor and gear aesthetics are getting some improvements as well. Outfits will now adapt to your character’s physique, so no more bulky gear looking awkward on smaller frames. It feels like they’re finally trying to merge aesthetics with functionality.
Survival is still a big part of the game, but it feels way more natural now instead of a bunch of chores. You’ll still need to keep an eye on things like hunger, thirst, fatigue, and weather, but the whole system looks easier to work with. Like, cold-resistant armor is going to be a must in snowy areas, but in warmer places, it’s not a huge deal if you don’t have the perfect gear. It’s more about planning ahead and thriving instead of just scraping by. Instead, it’s more about planning to thrive rather than just scraping by. Cooking and crafting have more depth too. Recipes now tie into your surroundings—like focusing on heat-boosting meals in colder areas. It’s immersive and ties survival directly into exploration, which feels super satisfying. Campsites have also been overhauled. Instead of just dropping a bedroll, you’ll scout for safe spots or prep against ambushes. Even downtime feels strategic.
Exploration in Outward 2, as I’ve previously mentioned before, is still all about getting lost in the best way possible. Remember how in the first game, you’d rely on landmarks and actually look around to figure out where you were? That’s back, and honestly, it’s even better. There’s no hand-holding with map markers; it’s you versus the wild, which makes every step feel like a mini-adventure. It’s super satisfying when you finally figure out where you’re going—or stumble onto something cool you weren’t expecting.
And there also won’t be any mounts in the game. At first, I thought it would be such a huge hassle to explore any game without any mounts but the devs did say that they wanted to keep mounts out of the game because it would diminish the tension and exploration that define the series. By forcing players to explore on foot, the game kind of preserves its sense of scale, and danger, and honestly the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Running everywhere keeps the world feeling huge and dangerous. Plus, it forces you to really soak in the journey instead of zooming past everything. Sure, it’s slower, but that’s kind of the point, you know?
Weather still plays its part in this game like in the original. Sudden storms or cold snaps can force you to adapt, but they also bring unique opportunities, like rare ingredients or buffs tied to specific conditions. It’s not just survival for survival’s sake; it’s about using the environment to your advantage.
Lastly, Guillaume Boucher-Vidal, the studio’s CEO, emphasized that the game’s survival-focused gameplay shines brightest with a small team, which is why the two-player system will remain unchanged. This setup makes sure that every decision should feel weighty, every fight should be a coordinated effort, and every victory should be shared. It’s not enough to just survive. It’s better to flourish together.
Outward 2 – Development
Alright, let’s talk about what’s going on behind the scenes with Outward 2. The devs at Nine Dots Studio are being super ambitious with this one, which is awesome to see for a sequel to a game that already has such a loyal fanbase. First off, they’ve switched engines from Unity to Unreal Engine 5 and it’s making a huge difference visually. The visuals on the pre-alpha demos are way sharper and more immersive compared to the original game, and despite being far from the finished product, it’s already impressive. They’ve even managed to keep that classic Outward vibe. It’s like the game grew up, but it hasn’t lost what made it special. The textures, lighting, and overall detail are all upgraded too,
On top of all that, Unreal Engine 5 is opening up a ton of new possibilities for dynamic environments, seasonal transitions, and even a full in-game calendar that should affect the gameplay. Imagine trekking through a snowy wasteland that slowly transitions into an autumn forest as time passes. It just adds so much depth to both exploration and survival, which are pretty much what Outward is all about.
But what’s really exciting is that the devs have been listening closely to player feedback from the original game, and they’ve been acting on it. Players asked for more quick slots, and Nine Dots doubled the amount you get in Outward 2. They’ve also added other fan-favorite features like dual-wielding and made sure your gear actually changes based on your character’s frame. It’s clear that they’re not just listening to feedback—they’re actually making the changes fans wanted.
There were also some questions about whether there will be official mod support for the game. The devs have said that it’s a bit more challenging to implement at the moment with the engines and everything and that if it happens, it’ll likely be post-release, not at launch.
As for the timeline, we’re still in pre-alpha, so it’s going to be a while before the final release. But from what we’ve seen so far, the team is taking their time to make sure this isn’t just another sequel and that it’s one that’ll really stand out in the RPG space.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I’m pretty excited about how the game is turning out to be. The team at 9dots has clearly been listening to player feedback from the original Outward, and they’re even adding some of the most requested features like dual-wielding, gear that changes based on your character’s frame, and more quick slots for easier inventory management. As for the release, it’s going to be a while before we get the final version. I’d guess we’re looking at about 3-4 years before we get to see something concrete. I mean, we’re only just in pre-alpha, after all. But one thing’s for sure: it’ll be out on PC and next-gen consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S when it finally drops.
