Outward 2’s Character Creator, Combat and Calendar System Detailed in New Developer Interview

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Nine Dots Studio recently shared more information about their upcoming cooperative adventure game, Outward 2. During the New Game+ Showcase, CEO and creative director Guillaume Boucher-Vidal explained that the game will prioritize immersive experiences over simply making players powerful.

The central idea behind the game’s design is that players will control ordinary people in Outward 2, not heroes destined to save the world. According to designer Boucher-Vidal, this was a key shift in their thinking. Every design choice was made to support this concept: you’re simply a regular person trying to survive and live a life in a fantastical setting.

Life often surprises us when we become overconfident and dismiss potential risks, thinking we’ve handled similar situations before. That same principle – that overconfidence can lead to unexpected consequences – should also be reflected in good design.

Character creation in Outward 2 is significantly improved compared to the original Outward from 2019. The developers at Nine Dots Studio recognized that the first game’s character customization was limited, resulting in less-than-ideal character appearances. Outward 2 addresses this by giving players more choices, including options to define their character’s background and personality traits.

At the beginning of the game, players can choose from three different starting cities, each with its own introductory quest that explains why they begin their adventure. For example, one city starts you off as a homeless person driven to seek a better life, while another has you settling into a new home only to find yourself caught up in mysterious events. The third option lets you play as someone who’s worked hard in the mines and is now looking for a way to improve their situation.

To make the game world feel even more realistic, Nine Dots Studio is including a full year-long calendar in Outward 2. This calendar won’t just track time, but will also drive a dynamic weather system. Just like in real life, the seasons will change each month, and these changes will impact the game world – it won’t just be a visual change.

They seriously revamped the combat system! Now I can mix and match way more gear, and the coolest part? I can dual-wield pretty much any combination of weapons or shields I find. It adds a ton of flexibility to how I play.

The adventure game Outward 2 is scheduled to release on PC in Summer 2026. The developers will also be holding playtests, and you can sign up to participate through Steam.

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2026-01-09 03:41