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Creating a sequel is not an easy feat. As a rule of thumb, it needs to surpass the first game in almost every way, while also keeping what made the original entry so iconic. Many developers tend to fumble this by creating a shorter second game or changing the gameplay systems considerably. Yet, there are some cases where the sequel is a much better experience than its predecessor, such as the recent case of Grounded 2. In essence, it kept everything that made the first game so unique, but improved many of the flawed systems. And since Obsidian Entertainment is also working on The Outer Worlds 2, I’m confident that it will be another case of the sequel surpassing the game that started the series.
From Small Worlds to Large Planets
One of the hundreds of games in my backlog is The Outer Worlds. Don’t get me wrong; I loved the game that kicked off the new series. Yet, I never found the inspiration to see it through to its conclusion. While the RPG elements were superb and the DLCs were some of the best content in the game, the combat and movement never really clicked with me. Naturally, I was a bit skeptical about The Outer Worlds 2, but all it took for me to feel more confident was playing a bit of Grounded 2.
You might wonder why I’m including the survival/crafting adventure here. Well, if you didn’t know, Obsidian Entertainment worked on both of these titles. And guess what? Both of them are sequels, which, as I said earlier, is never an easy task to pull off. That said, Grounded 2, despite being in early access, is already a vastly superior game in almost every aspect.
Without turning this into a Grounded 2 hype article, its story is easier to grasp. There are many QoL changes that the first entry needed. Plus, combat feels much smoother, and the overall gameplay loop is much more engaging thanks to its exploration and RPG elements. All of these things are improvements The Outer Worlds 2 needs, and judged by the studio’s track record and some recent previews, we might see that same level of quality come to fruition in a few months.
The Sci-Fi RPG We Need
From what we’ve seen, The Outer Worlds 2 is putting player choice at the forefront, which is expected from Obsidian. While the RPG elements were a highlight of the first game, this time they are much more fleshed out and lean into player agency to make each approach unique. Furthermore, many early impressions claim The Outer Worlds 2 has some of the best first-person shooting mechanics of the year, which is refreshing, as combat was one of the weakest parts of The Outer Worlds.
In any case, the studio has cracked the code for making — not one, but two — excellent sequels. If we look at the first Grounded and The Outer Worlds, both of them had solid foundations and systems. Yet, a few of them never hit the mark they intended. But that’s what sequels are for. They enhance what worked, revamp what didn’t, and sprinkle new things on top to make it an even more memorable adventure, and I’m glad these two franchises are still around, as they are both brimming with potential.
For now, we can only wait until the release date of The Outer Worlds 2 arrives. Still, it is looking like one of the best RPGs of the year, and that’s huge, especially since we’ve seen some role-playing bangers in 2025, but the year isn’t over. Obsidian still has time to take back the crown it held for a long time as the creator of some of the most reactive and immersive gaming worlds out there.
