Outward 2 Beta Preview Shows a Faster, Still Brutal Survival RPG
Outward 2 appears to address the original's most divisive criticism-sluggish combat-without softening its core identity as a survival game where the player is an ordinary person, not a hero.
Key Facts
- The closed beta for Outward 2 launches on May 26.
- Combat now includes animation canceling and dual-wielding, allowing players to interrupt attacks to guard or dodge.
- Quick slots have doubled from 8 to 16 for faster access to magic sigils and potions.
- The game retains its lack of hand-holding: the first city has no map marker, quests provide only text directions, and a starting-area enemy can kill an unprepared player with a bleeding effect.
- Hard Mode deletes save data on death.
Reporting from 1 source: Game Spark.
Game Spark previewed the closed beta of Outward 2, the sequel to Nine Dots Studio's open-world survival action RPG. The game is set 50 years after the original and retains its signature lack of hand-holding. Combat has been reworked with animation canceling and dual-wielding, making it faster, while survival mechanics like status effects and preparation remain punishing. The beta begins May 26.
The closed beta for Outward 2, launching May 26, introduces animation canceling and dual-wielding, letting players transition from attack to guard or dodge mid-swing. Quick slots have doubled to 16, enabling faster access to magic sigils and potions. But the preview also confirms that the sequel keeps the original's refusal to hold the player's hand: the first city shows no map marker, quests give only text directions, and a starting-area enemy can kill an unprepared player with a bleeding effect. Hard Mode deletes save data on death.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.