The Outer Worlds 2 Review Roundup: A Confident Sequel That Refines Obsidian’s Formula

The Outer Worlds 2 is almost here, and critics have already weighed in on Obsidian Entertainment’s latest RPG. With review scores now live across major outlets, the sequel is shaping up to be one of the studio’s strongest releases in years.

The Outer Worlds 2 review roundup | Obsidian Entertainment

On Metacritic, the game currently sits at a score of 84 based on 46 reviews, while OpenCritic lists it with an 83 average and a 90% critic recommendation rate. Those numbers alone suggest a solid follow-up, but the individual reviews give us a clearer picture of what to expect.

Individual Outlet Scores & Quotes

• Game Rant – 9/10 “The Outer Worlds 2 is bigger and better than its predecessor and an absolute must-play for fans of the genre.”

• GamesRadar+ – 9/10 “Deep, rich role-playing with curated worlds, rewarding exploration, and brilliant writing. A story and character that’s yours to shape.”

• PC Gamer – 83/100 “An RPG with a great sense of fun and whimsy, as well as surprising depth to its character building.”

• Windows Central – 9/10 “Better exploration and combat buoy a tight role-playing experience that feels crunchy and isn’t afraid of cutting off branches depending on player skills.”

• Noisy Pixel – 9/10 “A confident and evolved sequel that deepens Obsidian’s blend of player agency, narrative impact, and dark satire.”

• XboxEra – 9/10 “Perfectly scoped, with excellent gameplay, writing, and voice acting. Combat and movement are the biggest step up over the original.”

• Game Informer – 8.75/10 “An expansive sequel with more places to explore, more loot to find, and plenty of new ways to shape your adventure in space.”

• IGN – 8/10 “A strong refinement with smoother combat, compelling buildcrafting, and political intrigue that makes it hard to put down.”

• Eurogamer – 8/10 “Still fluffy gaming comfort food, but significantly improved and better than its predecessor in almost every way.”

• GameSpot – 8/10 “Flexible combat options and great role-playing progression cement this setting as its own identity.”

• Xbox Achievements – 8/10 “An enjoyable sequel with adrenaline-fueled gameplay, though it feels like it’s lost a little of its soul when it comes to choice and consequence.”

The Outer Worlds 2 – Pros & Cons

Pros

• Choices Matter – Decisions have a real and noticeable impact on the world and story outcomes.

• Excellent Writing – Packed with humor, satire, and memorable dialogue that feels distinctly Obsidian.

• Strong Companions – Many characters and companions stand out with engaging arcs and witty banter.

• Worthwhile Side Content – Side quests are meaningful, often weaving seamlessly into the main narrative.

• Freedom of Play – Multiple ways to approach problems, from combat to persuasion, stealth, or exploration.

• Curated Worlds – Every area feels purposeful, with exploration that rewards curiosity.

• No Overencumbrance – Inventory management is streamlined, avoiding tedious weight limits.

• Visuals – Gorgeous graphics and detailed environments bring the galaxy of Arcadia to life.

• Combat Variety – Solid gunplay and melee combat, with both first- and third-person perspectives available.

• Replay Value – Branching paths, perks, and faction choices encourage multiple playthroughs.

Cons

• Technical Issues – Minor but annoying bugs and performance hiccups can break immersion.

• No New Game+ – A missed opportunity for players who want to carry progress into another run.

• Navigation Frustrations – Waypoints aren’t always intuitive, and some quests could use clearer instructions.

• Uneven Characters & Factions – While some companions shine, others feel dull or underdeveloped.

• Combat Balance – Certain encounters feel unbalanced, with difficulty spikes in odd places.

• Buggy Quests – A handful of missions can glitch, requiring reloads or workarounds.

• Performance Rough Spots – Frame drops and long load times reported, especially on mid-tier hardware.

• Story Pacing – The main narrative can feel too self-serious at times, with a slower first act.

Overall, critics agree that The Outer Worlds 2 is a refined, bigger, and more confident sequel, even if it doesn’t reinvent the formula.

Obsidian has already had a stellar year with Avowed and Grounded 2, and this looks like the studio’s third major hit of 2025. For RPG fans, it’s shaping up to be a must-play.

The Outer Worlds 2 launches on October 29, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with Early Access beginning October 24 for Premium Edition buyers.

Check out release times, editions, price, preorder content, file size, and pc requirements details HERE at Gaming Amigos.