"Outer Worlds 2 Enhances RPG Character Customization - IGN"

Having had the opportunity to delve into the alpha build of *The Outer Worlds 2*, it's evident that developer Obsidian has placed a strong emphasis on enhancing the RPG elements of the game. While the original game offered a more streamlined experience for character development, the sequel encourages players to embrace more diverse and unconventional gameplay styles. The goal isn't just complexity for its own sake; rather, *The Outer Worlds 2* invites players to be creative, specialize in their chosen skills, and enjoy the unique choices they make along the way.

Design director Matt Singh shared insights on how the team aims to encourage players to experiment with various character builds. "We're looking for ways to incentivize the player to experiment with different builds, either traditional or non-traditional," he explained. The approach focuses on creating synergies between Skills, Traits, and Perks to craft unique gameplay experiences. This was evident in our exclusive 11-minute gameplay footage, which highlighted new elements such as gunplay, stealth, gadgets, and dialogue. Our IGN First coverage zeroes in on how these systems have been reimagined for *The Outer Worlds 2*.

Lead systems designer Kyle Koenig reflected on the first game, noting, "We would often see characters good at everything, which by the end of the game, minimized your personal experience with your character." To address this, Obsidian has shifted from grouping Skills into categories to focusing on individual Skills with more pronounced differences. "We wanted to focus on making each individual level-up and investment really important," Koenig said. This new approach allows players to specialize more effectively, understanding exactly which Skills to prioritize for their desired playstyle.

Singh elaborated, "There's more than just a traditional stealth-focused build, combat-focused build, or speech-focused build. There's a lot of blending of concepts, playing with other systems and incorporating those into a pretty broad, but unique range of different player profiles." For instance, investing in the Observation Skill can reveal hidden elements in the environment, such as secret doors or interactive objects, opening up alternative paths.

The Outer Worlds 2 Character Creation - Screenshots

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While this may seem standard for RPGs, *The Outer Worlds* was unique in its initial approach. The sequel aims to leverage the revamped Skill system to foster distinct character builds and enhance possibilities, particularly with the new Perks system.

The Perks of Getting Experimental

Obsidian is keen on offering specific and unique gameplay avenues through an expanded Perks system. "We've significantly increased the number of Perks with over 90 of them – each of those requiring various Skills to unlock," Koenig stated. As players invest in Skills, they unlock diverse Perk paths. For example, the Run and Gun Perk enhances mobility in combat for shotgun, SMG, and rifle users, while the Space Ranger Perk influences dialogue and damage based on the Speech stat.

Singh highlighted Perks tailored for unconventional playstyles, such as Psychopath and Serial Killer, which reward players for eliminating NPCs with permanent health boosts. "Especially in an Obsidian game where we allow you to kill anybody – the game's going to respond, it's going to roll with it, and you're going to still be able to complete the game," he said. This approach adds a fun twist to subsequent playthroughs.

For more traditional builds, Koenig discussed leveraging elemental combat. Players can mix and match damage types, such as using plasma to burn enemies while healing, shock to control automechs, or corrosive damage to strip armor and deal critical hits.

Singh also emphasized experimental gameplay through mechanics that reward taking risks. "How do I construct a build where I'm actually incentivized to get in there and take damage so that I can then do other things effectively?" he pondered. This design philosophy, which was part of the original game, now drives *The Outer Worlds 2*, particularly in relation to Traits and Flaws.

The Positive and Negative Traits

Koenig drew parallels with *Fallout*, noting, "One of the things in *The Outer Worlds* that was a key off of *Fallout* was you could have negative attributes that would be actively detrimental to your character, but you get a few extra points to spend somewhere else." The Flaws system from the original game has evolved in the sequel. Players can now choose Positive Traits like Brilliant, granting extra Skill points, or Brawny, allowing you to knock down enemies by sprinting. Conversely, Negative Traits such as Dumb, which locks out five Skills, or Sickly, reducing base health and toxicity tolerance, offer additional Positive Trait selections.

The Outer Worlds 2 Gameplay - Screenshots

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While a deeper dive into the revamped Flaws will be covered in another article, it's clear that *The Outer Worlds 2* is pushing the boundaries with creative and sometimes humorous Flaws. In the original, many players, including myself, often bypassed Flaws due to the trade-off not being worthwhile. In the sequel, Flaws are dynamically triggered based on player behavior, offering both positive and negative effects, adding a new layer of complexity to the Traits system.

Guiding Players and Ditching Respec

With many new elements in *The Outer Worlds 2*, Obsidian is committed to ensuring these are clear and accessible through in-game explanations and UI enhancements. "Right from the get-go, from character creation, we really wanted to put in the forefront what are the differences of these skills and what they do," Koenig explained. The game includes short tutorial videos in the menus to illustrate gameplay impacts, and players can mark Perks as favorites to plan their build progression.

A significant change is the removal of respec options after the introductory sequence. "By removing respec, we really incentivize it to be your experience," Koenig said. This ensures that each player's journey is unique and meaningful, emphasizing the importance of every choice made. Singh added, "Philosophy-wise, we really feel all of your choices should matter. They should be meaningful changes to your gameplay experience." This approach encourages players to commit to their choices and explore how they unfold in exciting and engaging ways.