New release date for Outer Worlds 2 is here, along with a Grounded 2 announcement

2025 had a pretty strong start for Obsidian Entertainment, as earlier this year, they released Avowed, the fantasy RPG that Checkpoint rated a 9.5. It’ll also have a fantastic end with The Outer Worlds 2 coming to Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam and Xbox, as well as PS5. During the Xbox Games Showcase, The Outer Worlds 2’s official story trailer was shown, including the release date of October 30th for us Australians. The trailer featured a ton of jokes, especially regarding the economic system of capitalism. Which is apt, considering that the game is retailing for $119.95AUD on Steam, with the premium edition retailing for an extra $30, at $149.95AUD.

Not only do we get The Outer Worlds 2 from Obsidian Entertainment, but announced during the showcase is Grounded 2. The trailer features some awesome insects fights, and includes a bit of the story from the first Grounded game. The trailer includes the use of Come Out and Play by The Offspring as the trailer music, and boy, it’s a great choice. But what’s even better is the fact that it’s coming July 29th! Unfortunately, there’s no price attached to it yet, so it’s unclear if Grounded 2 will be closer to the previous game in price, or match The Outer Worlds 2 in this new $120AUD world.

During the showcase, Obsidian Entertainment spoke more about The Outer Worlds 2 and Grounded 2, with the Head of Sequels, Mark, who is definitely not Ben Schwartz (voice of Sonic the Hedgehog) introducing the segment. The Outer Worlds 2’s themes continue on from the first one, such as “robber barons in space, and how people are controlled by the stories they’re told by the people who have power over them,” said Creative Director, Leonard Boyarsky. On top of that, Boyarsky added that they’re able to go in a bit deeper on these themes because they have more time and money. That was definitely the more disappointing part of the first game, as it felt too short.

Because of this additional time and money, they’re able to develop deeper RPG interactions as well. Instead of attributes from the first game, instead you’ll pick traits. There are positive traits which will give bonuses, or extra chances. Then there’s negative traits, things like “dumb”, which locks out 5 of the 12 available skills. There are perks, a system borrowed from Obsidian’s previous game, Fallout: New Vegas. And flaws, which really imbues more into your character. My favourite has to be the bad knees flaw, while you move faster when crouched, the second you stand up your knees will pop and everyone can hear it. And the sound effect Obsidian chose is gnarly. This would make a pretty hilarious assassin build!

Honestly, The Outer Worlds 2 looks so sick, and I cannot wait for its release later this year. We then learned more about Grounded 2. It’s going to be so much more action-packed than the previous game. Announced in 2019, Grounded went into early access since 2020, then fully launched in September 2022. Obsidian Entertainment is getting supportive development help from Eidos Montreal. Grounded 2 will take place two years after the first game, in 1992, and features the same characters from the first game, just a bit older now, but still the same size.

Due to the help from Eidos Montreal, Grounded 2’s map size is even bigger than Grounded 1. Instead of the backyard, players are in the Brookhollow Community Park, a location which is roughly three times bigger. There will be more stories to tell, including stories on the surface, and deep underground. It honestly looks amazing, and it’s great that the team can evolve their skills and make the sequel of Grounded into a great game. Hopefully they update the arachnophobia mode, because even with that set to five, it’s still terrifying and doesn’t quell the arachnophobic inside of me.

It’s going to be an exciting rest of 2025 for Obsidian Entertainment. Let us know if you’re keen on either The Outer Worlds 2 and/or Grounded 2!