Outward 2 Release Window Revealed, Open-World RPG Launching Summer 2026

At the PC Gaming Show 2025, developer Nine Dots Studio confirmed that Outward 2, the sequel to the cult-favorite RPG, will launch in Summer 2026. The announcement came with a new trailer and details on how the sequel aims to expand on the original’s unique “true adventurer” experience.

Outward 2 Release Window - Summer 2026

The release window may change as development continues, as Summer 2026 is still a considerable distance away. Still, it’s good to see more of this open world RPG as the Outward series is a special kind of game that may not look all that appealing on paper (or even visually striking). Still, those who gave the first game a chance were pleasantly surprised by how challenging and rewarding the whole experience became in the end.

The original Outward (2019) earned a “Mostly Positive” rating on Steam with over 14,000 reviews, surprising many who initially underestimated its unconventional design. A Definitive Edition followed in 2022, reinforcing its cult status among RPG fans.

The sequel builds on what they started, an open world RPG that isn’t for the faint of heart as there’s little handholding and preparation, and adapting to certain situations is key to a player’s success in this game.

Nine Dots CEO and Creative Director Guillaume Boucher-Vidal shared how the sequel is shaping up:

“With Outward 2, we finally have the means to deliver the vision we had for the game — a believable and grounded adventurer experience. We kept the same ingredients, stayed true to our vision and improved on what was not up to what we wanted - our combat system, immersion and character creator.

He also reflected on how a small team of 11 developers managed to exceed expectations with the first game, and how player feedback has helped shape improvements to graphics, combat, and immersion in the sequel.

Since the first game’s release, it was able to reach over 3 million units sold.

Outward 2 Features

• An Average Joe On A Remarkable Journey — You’re not a hero of legend. Shape your modest and meager beginnings through three distinct starting scenarios and eleven backgrounds, which will determine where to start in this brutal world. Whether you’re a devout worshipper of Elatt trying to strike it rich as a miner or a vagrant deadbeat in Simeon’s Bastion, the world of Aurai will not be kind… not even in defeat. If you’re knocked out, your journey continues, and you must live with the consequences. You could be robbed and left to rot, be saved by a kind passerby, wake up in town badly injured, or… worse.

• A Living, Evolving World — A full-year seasonal cycle transforms the world of Aurai. Merchants and other NPCs relocate, frozen rivers become traversable in winter, and more. Comprising of four distinct areas, regions will feature their own biomes, seasons, and specific gameplay. From the blizzards of the Gilded Mountains to the acid rains in the Gathes of Catharsis, players will find a renewed challenge every time they travel.

• Growth Through Mastery — Every factor in Outward 2 molds your playstyle. Your tactical choices as a player, from the weight and material of your armor to particular weapons you use, are reinforced by the new Exercise system, where passive skills will spark and grow based on how you play. Seek out special trainers scattered around Aurai, who will teach you how to survive the most brutal encounters for a fee.

• Ritual Spellcasting & Tactical Combat — Wielding magic in Outward 2 is no mere button press. Cast spells through rituals, like sending a fire stone into the air to create a ring around you that allows you to empower your skills with deadly flames. Challenging combat, where every weapon has its own distinct moveset, is further enhanced in the sequel with a larger variety of tools and weapon combinations, along with animations that bring more fluidity and control to players. Major combat improvements were cultivated based on extensive player feedback from the original.

• Intentional Inventory Management — Your backpack is your lifeline, and every space within is worth its weight in gold. Pack provisions, potions, weapons, and camping gear for an expedition, but manage it carefully as you gather more along the way. Some discoveries won’t be worth the precious space. In a fight, you may want to drop your backpack to attack and evade more deftly. The sequel adds a mule you may earn to carry your wares throughout your journey, but its vulnerability may influence your path as well. Weigh each decision carefully.

• Two-Player Split Screen & Online Co-op — Aurai is a grueling place, but you mustn’t go alone. Plan and prepare alongside a friend, covering each other’s weaknesses and marrying your strengths. Teamwork expands the opportunities and options for tackling the many challenges you will face in Outward 2. 

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