Copyright Screen Rant
The Outer Worlds 2 may just end up being one of the best RPGs of 2025, even despite its pretty fierce competition. As a result, it's understandable that a lot of people, both fans of the first game and newcomers to the Halcyon system, will want to give it a try. Of course, for those who love Obsidian Entertainment's brand of RPG, and especially those who love The Outer Worlds, it is a no-brainer to pick up the sequel. However, for those who never played the first one, you may be wondering whether it's necessary, worthwhile, or even completely skippable. Whether it's out of fear of not understanding crucial Outer Worlds 2 story details, or simply just feeling like a fish out of water in the game's planet-hopping adventure, it is completely understandable to want to know whether it's worth your time to play through an entire RPG just to play this new release. Fortunately, the answer is incredibly straightforward. The Outer Worlds 2 Is A Standalone Experience It Is Set In A New Star System The Outer Worlds 2 is a completely standalone experience that can be enjoyed whether you're entirely new to the series or a returning fan. So, if you're worried about having to play the first game, rest assured that there is absolutely no need to play The Outer Worlds to understand or even enjoy its sequel. The Outer Worlds 2 offers a unique experience that, while featuring some universe connections, is entirely understandable without any prior knowledge. The first game was set in the Halcyon system and featured its own set of planets. The Outer Worlds 2 is set in the Arcadia system, and, once again, features brand-new, distinct planets not explored or seen in the first game. More importantly, depending on your love of quirky characters, The Outer Worlds 2 has an entirely new set of companions, all of whom have their own unique backstories, abilities, and more. Additionally, you play a brand-new character in The Outer Worlds 2, and not the character featured in the first game. They're fully customizable, just like in Obsidian's other RPGs, so they'll essentially be a blank slate perfect for experiencing all The Outer Worlds 2's improvements. In fact, I'd almost advise skipping the first game if you really want to play the sequel as soon as possible. You Can Skip The Outer Worlds To Play The Sequel It Certainly Isn't Necessary The Outer Worlds 2 is extremely similar to its predecessor in a lot of ways. In fact, Obsidian Entertainment more or less took what worked about the original and expanded on it, ensuring to tweak the dialogue, choices, and combat to make a more refined experience. That's not to say that The Outer Worlds 2 doesn't have a few tricks up its sleeve. However, for the most part, it is a sequel in every sense of the word. As a result, playing The Outer Worlds before its sequel could lead to a sense of fatigue. While both games have different stories, you may end up feeling like you're playing one long game, where the second half is a better time and more refined. As a result, due to the fact that it isn't necessary to play The Outer Worlds before the sequel, it may actually be prudent to skip it in its entirety. Depending on how much time you have, you may be able to get both in. You may also feel it is worth playing The Outer Worlds and then its sequel a few games later to give yourself a bit of a break. Indeed, there are actually a few reasons why it may be worth playing The Outer Worlds first, although, as stated before, it really isn't necessary for those who just want to get started on Obsidian's brand-new RPG. It Is Still Worth Playing The Outer Worlds It'll Help Give You An Idea Of Whether The Sequel Is For You Considering how similar The Outer Worlds is to its sequel, it may be worth playing it first, as returning to it after could prove to be a much worse experience. For example, The Outer Worlds featured ridiculously long and unskippable animations for companions' special abilities during combat, which are not present in the new game. There are several other major improvements in The Outer Worlds 2 that could make going back a little hard. Additionally, The Outer Worlds 2 features similar elements, themes, and ideas to the first game, as well as some worldbuilding elements to keep the universe feeling cohesive. You'll have a greater understanding of said elements should you have played the first game first. Of course, this is the case with a lot of RPGs, and, in the instance of The Outer Worlds, it isn't quite so prevalent. Even so, if you want the full experience, playing both games is recommended.
