Roundup: Here's What The Reviews Are Saying About Xbox's The Outer Worlds 2

The Outer Worlds 2 is almost here! Yep, Obsidian's next title goes live for early access players tomorrow, before the standard edition lands on Xbox Game Pass next week. So, is the team's next big RPG worth playing?

Well, for what it's worth - we've enjoyed our opening few hours with the game. We haven't played nearly enough of The Outer Worlds 2 to deliver a full verdict, but we've been impressed by what we've played of the Xbox title so far.

We'll chuck a link to our early hands-on impressions down below, before rounding up some other reviews from across the web.

PlayStation Universe (9/10)

"The Outer Worlds 2 excels on almost all fronts, presenting you with an open RPG that lets you choose how you progress while still keeping you on a clear path. The in-game systems allow you to customize how you play and give you versatility in the choices you make along the way. Combine that with great writing, and you have a recipe for success. Equipment menus are a bit clunky, enemy encounters can be manipulated, and the act of looting takes some getting used to. Still, none of these issues will keep you from enjoying the game. The Outers Worlds 2 is worth every penny of the $70 it asks for."

GamesRadar (4.5/5)

"The Outer Worlds 2 is bigger and better than the first game in every respect, with deep, rich role-playing and plenty of freedom to tailor your experience. Every world feels curated, and exploration is always purposeful and rewarding. Topped off with a vast range of weapons, brilliant writing, and a story and character that's yours to shape, this is Obsidian doing what it does best to deliver an engrossing RPG you'll want to replay again and again."

Game Informer (8.8/10)

"Though its main narrative is anti-climactic, I’m left amazed by how much Obsidian was able to cram into this 30-hour odyssey, with side content that weaves seamlessly in and out of the golden path and a level of reflexivity other RPGs often try and fail to achieve."

Wccftech (8.5/10)

"The Outer Worlds 2 is an improved, more refined version of The Outer Worlds and is an all-around better game than its predecessor, with a well-executed Flaw system to keep gameplay interesting, improved gunplay, stunning visuals, and excellent character writing, voice acting and animations. It's held back by a lacking plot that fizzles well before the end, progression pacing that's all over the place, and an abysmal menu system, but those elements don't make it a game you should skip, whether you were a fan of the first game or not."

PC Gamer (8.3/10)

"The Outer Worlds 2 is not a new Obsidian all-timer, but it's one of the best games I've played this year and an RPG I'll happily revisit down the line. Some of its balance and mechanical quirks can be frustrating, particularly early in a playthrough, but enduring them is well worth it."

IGN (8/10)

"The Outer Worlds 2 doesn’t try to rewrite Obsidian’s RPG playbook, but it’s yet another strong refinement, with smoother combat, diabolically compelling buildcrafting and loot, and a story that immediately made me want to start again to see an alternate outcome. The sluggish first act and lack of enemy variety make it a bit of a slog at certain times, but once its story of political intrigue kicks in and the new flaws and perks system gets its claws in you, it can be quite hard to put down. All these improvements put The Outer Worlds 2 that much closer to being the Fallout: New Vegas successor we hoped this series would be, and that’s worth getting excited about."

Push Square (7/10)

"The Outer Worlds 2 succeeds in being a bigger and better sequel, buoyed by an even greater emphasis on player choice and freedom. Its RPG mechanics are largely fantastic, and there are key improvements to both combat and exploration. However, despite Obsidian's clever writing, there's a underlying dreariness to the property that it just can't seem to escape. These dull characters and their one-note factions are difficult to truly care for."

VGC (3/5)

"As a sequel, The Outer Worlds 2 doesn't strive to reinvent its past foundation and does little to stand out in the RPG genre. If you're looking for new toys to play with, you'll find plenty of weapons and a much-improved gunplay to boot. Just don't expect to carry many memories of your time in Arcadia with you."


At the time of writing, we're looking at an Open Critic rating of 79 and a Metacritic score of 85 - which is pretty good going for your third major release of the year. If you want to know exactly when you can play The Outer Worlds 2 — including when the title hits Xbox Game Pass — we'll chuck a link to our big guide on the game down below.

Excited for this one? Talk to us about Obsidian's latest down in the comments.