As The Outer Worlds 2 embraces "crunchy" role-playing, its directors say people are "more open" to deeper RPGs after Baldur's Gate 3: "It's good to bring that stuff to the forefront again"

The Outer Worlds 2 screenshot showing a silhouette facing an eclipsed sun.

Even six years out from its launch, there are few AAA RPGs as tightly-crafted and – as our The Outer Worlds review put it – "contained" as 2019's The Outer Worlds. Across its 25-30 hour runtime, Obsidian Entertainment landed with a story to tell, delivered it with the dry wit we've long come to expect from the studio, and hopped back in its rocket before overstaying its welcome. The Outer Worlds 2, then, is Obsidian coming back for a far longer round two.

Set to be a significantly expanded sequel with far more emphasis on optional exploration and quests, game director Brandon Adler tells me the "core" story of The Outer Worlds 2 represents "maybe 10-15%" of the game's whole. It's in direct response to fans who wished the first game was longer – yet it also marks a return to the deeper RPG systems that Obsidian is known for.