Nine Dots Studio is working on Outward 2, the much-awaited follow-up to the cult-favorite survival game. Though the game’s official release date is yet unknown, supporters have been keen to find out more about what the follow-up to 2019’s Outward will provide.
We dissect everything available thus far in this thorough guide: development status, platform support, gameplay enhancements, and what players might expect from this aspirational sequel.
Current Release Status of Outward 2
Outward 2 has no stated release date as of June 2025. The game was formally revealed in March 2024, though, and following the Xbox Games Showcase on June 8, 2025, a behind-the-scenes look aired on a special presentation.
Developers at Nine Dots Studio underlined during that presentation that the game is still “few years away,” with their potential release window depending on development milestones and publisher schedules somewhere between late 2026 and 2027.
Long-time supporters have generally welcomed the studio’s decision to clearly state their intention is to take time to hone the experience rather than rush to meet an arbitrary launch date.
Platform Availability
Outward 2 is verified for the following platforms:
- Five PlayStation
- Xbox Series X/S
- Window PC
Plans for a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One release are not in place right now, and the developers have not mentioned Nintendo Switch support. This denotes a dedication to contemporary hardware capabilities as well as maybe more ambitious world-building and technical authenticity.
A Look Back: What Made the Original Outward Stand Out?
Published in 2019, the first Outward was hailed for its original approach to role-playing game mechanics. Unlike many games giving players a power fantasy, Outward grounded the experience in survival and realism. Along with challenging combat and exploration, players had to balance weariness, weather, disease, and hunger.
Its split-screen local co-op mode, which let players team up in a way few contemporary role-players let, was among its most unique characteristics. The open-world architecture, lack of hand-holding, and high difficulty curve of the game attracted a devoted following that valued its departure from conventional RPG standards.
What’s New in Outward 2?
Outward 2 seeks to address criticism and forward the genre while building on the basis of the original. Based on previews and developer comments, significant improvements consist in:
Visual and Technical Improvements
The sequel’s production value—which includes better lighting, textures, animations, and environmental detail—showcases clear improvement. By switching to a more advanced form of their game engine, the team is enabling more immersive world-building and smoother combat.
Improved Combat Mechanics
Many times, combat in the original Outward was described as slow or clumsy. Outward 2 preserves the weight and timing defining the tactical feel of the original game while introducing faster, more responsive mechanics. Expected to be more polished are parrying, dodging, and spellcasting.
More dynamic survival systems
Although Outward already provided a strong survival experience, the sequel builds on this with more complex approach to status effects including cold, thirst, and injuries, deeper crafting, improved inventory control, and more intense survival experience.
Global Design and Narrative Development
With dynamic events, better quest structures, and more impactful decisions, Outward 2’s game world looks to be more linked and immersive. Though still supporting player-driven discovery, storytelling is expected to be more prevalent.
Magic and Class Variance
The gameplay of the original was mostly magic; thus, Outward 2 will have new magic schools, hybrid builds, and extra customizing choices for combat and role-playing approaches.
Community Involvement and Developer Transparency
Nine Dots Studio’s openness has been among Outward 2’s best features in development. The director of the studio clarified their objectives and acknowledged in a Reddit Q&A both the achievements and constraints of the first game. Since then, they have kept a candid conversation going via Steam updates, interviews, and social media.
Outward 2 is not only a reimagining, as the studio makes abundantly clear, but also a sequel that stays faithful to the identity of the first game while fixing its shortcomings.
Development Timeline
Important events in the evolution of Outward 2 are briefly compiled here:
March 2024: Official announcement and early preview footage published in March 2024.
Following the Xbox Games Showcase, June 2025: Special presentation including fresh gameplay and developer comments.
2025–2026: Constant improvement, community involvement, and maybe early beta testing or demonstration projects.
Expected Release Window: Subject to change, expected release window is late 2026 to 2027.
Fan Reactions and Early Previews
First hands-on previews—one of which was published by IGN—described Outward 2 as “a survival RPG that hits hard,” with particular compliments for the game’s atmosphere and challenge level. Many long-time enthusiasts are eager but also wary for more gameplay footage and real-world performance data.
Currently active with speculation, comments, and wish lists are the Steam Store page of the game, Reddit discussions, and Facebook fan groups. Features ahead of launch can be greatly shaped by this sort of community interaction.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Has Outward 2 been released yet?
No, the game is still in development and does not have a confirmed release date.
Will Outward 2 come to previous-gen consoles?
There are no announcements about PS4 or Xbox One versions. The game appears to be targeting current-gen hardware only.
Is the game going to support co-op or multiplayer?
While not confirmed, it is highly likely that Outward 2 will include both local and online co-op, continuing one of the original game’s most beloved features.
Will there be mod support on PC?
Mod support has not been officially discussed, but given the active modding community in the first game, it is a strong possibility.
Can I pre-order Outward 2?
Not at this time. No official release date or pricing has been confirmed, so pre-orders are not currently available.
Final Thoughts
Outward 2 offers a hopeful continuation of a franchise that made a distinctive position in the RPG terrain. Nine Dots Studio seems dedicated to provide a richer, more polished survival RPG experience by clearly focussing on improving mechanics, raising production value, and listening to community comments.
Outward 2 may be worth the wait, based on development transparency and attention to detail even if the wait could still be significant. Players drawn to a grounded, demanding, and cooperative RPG should keep this title on their radar.
Players may track continuous updates by following the official Steam, Reddit, and community forum pages.
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