Summary
First announced in 2021, Obsidian Entertainment’sThe Outer Worlds 2is on track to release sometime in 2025. The sequel to the developer’s satirical sci-fi FPS RPG from 2019, the follow-up is set to expand on the world, characters, and gameplay in some major ways. Obsidian itself has been on something of a roll, as it also released its highly-awaited fantasy adventure,Avowed, earlier in February, makingThe Outer Worlds 2the second of two releases from a widely popular AAA studio in the same year, something that doesn’t often occur.
The next big news and updates aboutThe Outer Worlds 2will be coming during theupcoming Xbox Games Showcase,set to be followed immediately by a new Direct presentation forTOW2. While many are hoping that it nails down a firm release date at the event, there’s actually a chance for Obsidian to take it one step further by following the lead of another recent major first-party Xbox release:The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remasteredbeingshadow dropped.
The Outer Worlds 2 Could Follow in The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered’s Footsteps With its Release Strategy
Oblivion Remastered’s Shadow Drop Was One of the Best and Most Welcome Surprises of the Year So Far
While it was no secret beforehand thatThe Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remasteredtechnically existed, with the project having come to light as a consequence of the legal proceedings that Microsoft was involved in with the FCC a few years earlier, the timing of its official reveal and immediate shadow drop was a hugely pleasant surprise. After much speculation during the lead-up to Bethesda Game Studio’s presentation on April 22, the studio delighted fans by casually ending the showcase with the reveal thatOblivion Remasteredwas availableat that very moment. It was perhaps an expected decision, but embraced by audiences as a player-friendly one.
Obsidian Shadow Dropping The Outer Worlds 2 Right After its Direct Like Oblivion Remastered Would Be Another Winning Move
While it may not have the same weight and nostalgic history behind it asTES 4:Oblivion,The Outer Worlds 2still has some big expectations to live up to and is one of 2025’s most highly-anticipated games. The first title was generally well-liked, and is currently rated Very Positive overall on Steam, with an 83 critic average on OpenCritic. But it was noted that there were some spots with room for improvement. The forthcoming showcase on June 8 will likely delve more into these aspects, showing off expected items likeThe Outer Worlds 2’s new stealthmechanics, locations, skill trees, and other designs.
The annualSummer Games Festhosted by Geoff Keighley is also scheduled to take place just two days before the Xbox Showcase andThe Outer Worlds 2Direct, on June 6.
All of this will no doubt be welcomed by fans, but if Obsidian decided to ride the same wave as BGS did withOblivion Remastered,and stealth releaseThe Outer Worlds 2to close off the event, it could make for great fuel for the fire to keepXbox Game Pass' hot streakgoing strong into the Summer. Obsidian potentially delivering the title much sooner than expected, in a similar manner toOblivion Remastered, would surely garner the same goodwill. It would also fill the usually quieter time of the year with one of the biggest games that has been on the horizon for a few years.
One other interesting note is that, despite Obsidian being acquired by Microsoft in 2018, and most of its titles having been day one concurrently on Game Pass,The Outer Worlds 2will also be launching on PS5. This speaks to Microsoft’s evolving release strategy for its first-party games, and it’s at least something to keep in mind for how it might be considering its plans forTOW2.While obviously nothing suggests at this time it is planning a shadow drop, the studio pulling the same move for it asOblivion Remasteredwould be an excellent way to please fans and bring a lot of positive attention to ensure it makes the most out of its launch.
