There was much to admire about Avowed, yet one significant element was noticeably absent from the gameplay experience. Fortunately, it seems that Obsidian’s upcoming Action RPG, The Outer Worlds 2, will address this shortcoming, much to my delight. As an ardent follower of Obsidian’s creations, I am ecstatic to have two releases within the same year, and the previews for The Outer Worlds 2 have me eagerly anticipating a return to its quirky and dystopian corporate universe.
Overall, I was quite satisfied with how combat was managed in Avowed, even though I appreciated the streamlined gameplay at the expense of certain immersive aspects. However, it struck me as odd that a game rich in narrative choices would limit player options in tackling combat scenarios. Thankfully, it appears that The Outer Worlds 2 is poised to rectify this issue.
Enhanced Stealth Mechanics in The Outer Worlds 2
Stealth Takedowns and Immersive Sim Features
In a recent exclusive showcase, IGN revealed new gameplay from The Outer Worlds 2, emphasizing the introduction of stealth mechanics. The game highlights an indicator above enemies’ heads when you are hidden, displaying a health bar along with a visual cue in purple, indicating the potential damage of your attacks. Notably, if you eliminate an enemy silently, a skull graphic reveals the lethality of your strike. This suggests that stealth kills are likely to be assured, especially with close-range attacks.
According to IGN’s Michael Higham, testers found that The Outer Worlds 2 will incorporate immersive sim characteristics reminiscent of titles such as Deus Ex and Dishonored. This detail indicates that players might navigate entire areas stealthily, allowing exploration without mandatory confrontations. Many titles restrict stealth approaches by forcing direct conflict, so I am hopeful that the design philosophy behind The Outer Worlds 2 will champion a more nuanced stealth gameplay experience.
The Disappointment of Avowed’s Stealth Limitations
While Avowed did incorporate a form of takedown mechanic, it lacked the depth that is apparent in The Outer Worlds 2. Most encounters in Avowed involved groups of enemies, which often rendered stealth approaches ineffective. A stealth hit could momentarily disable one foe, but it would quickly result in an all-out engagement with bystanders. Thus, stealth often felt more like a means to deliver a sneak attack rather than a legitimate strategy for managing entire encounters.
The design of Avowed feels tailored for stealth and immersive gameplay elements. A more developed stealth system would have nicely complemented the game’s various conflict resolution strategies, allowing for a peaceful resolution in several situations. A prime example that stands out is during the chase of Ygwulf in the early game.
From the outset, I was reluctant to eliminate Ygwulf when given the opportunity. My understanding of his motivations and those of the Paradisian rebels led me to desire a more diplomatic resolution. While the game does allow forgiveness of this character, doing so necessitates battling through numerous rebels.
The Ideal Setting for Stealth in Obsidian’s Games
Varied Problem-Solving Methods in Obsidian RPGs
I find the absence of stealth in Avowed disappointing from a narrative perspective, which is why I believe Obsidian’s games could perfectly accommodate a full-fledged stealth mechanism. Obsidian excels at providing players with multiple pathways to resolve challenges, routinely including options for less aggressive conflict resolution. A sophisticated stealth system, paired with immersive simulation elements, would empower players to undertake a completely pacifist run through the game, using subterfuge and dialogue.
Creating a system analogous to Dishonored, which permits a full pacifist run, presents unique challenges, particularly in balancing RPG mechanics alongside varying gameplay styles. Nonetheless, I hope that The Outer Worlds 2 allows players to sneak past confrontations where it would be narratively appropriate. The situation surrounding the rebels in Avowed exemplifies the kind of scenario where player discretion could minimize conflict in the upcoming game.
Source: IGN