Like most role-playing games, your enjoyment of The Outer Worlds 2 will likely hinge on how much you connect with the characters who join you on your journey.
In my review of The Outer Worlds 2 (giving it four stars), I realized around the 12-hour mark that the game’s companions, much like in Mass Effect 3, each represented a different faction in the galactic conflict. That’s when I became completely invested in the story.
The show features several characters who could quickly become fan favorites. They have interesting designs, quirky histories, and are brought to life by talented actors who make their stories believable.
Obsidian’s developers haven’t included romantic relationships with your companions in this game, which some players, myself included, might find disappointing.
Wondering about companions – how many there are, who the best ones are, and how to recruit them? We’ve got all the information you need right here.
How many companions are there in The Outer Worlds 2?
There are six companions to collect in The Outer Worlds 2.
Once you begin the game and reach the screen where you choose your party members, you’ll immediately notice how many characters you can add to your team.
The story begins with two companions by your side, and you’ll meet more characters to join your team as you progress. We explain how to find and recruit them later in this article.
Who are the best companions in The Outer Worlds 2?
The best companions in The Outer Worlds 2 are Inez and Aza, in this writer’s opinion.
Inez has a helpful ability where she can drop healing packs during fights. This is especially useful if you’ve used up all your inhaler uses.
Aza has a unique ability that lets her instantly appear beside enemies during battle and attack them with a strong blast, effectively taking out whoever is causing trouble.
These two characters work well together, making battles much more enjoyable. Aza, in particular, has a really unique and witty personality, with some surprisingly dark and funny lines.
Can you romance the companions in The Outer Worlds 2?
No, you cannot romance the companions — or anyone else — in The Outer Worlds 2.
In an interview with GamesRadar, the game’s director, Brandon Adler, shared why they made this decision.
Adler explained that romance options just didn’t fit with his plans for how he wanted the companion characters to develop.
I envisioned a close-knit group of friends, and romance wasn’t a requirement. If romantic feelings developed naturally between characters, that was fine, but it wasn’t a predetermined goal – I didn’t want to force romance onto every character from the start.
The idea is that characters will become interested in a romantic connection if you consistently have their character receive positive affirmations – but it can’t feel forced. Building that connection needs to happen naturally through the writing, going beyond just simple compliments.
Alder explained that any developing relationships need to feel natural and authentic. He doesn’t want them to seem forced or like they’re just happening to fulfill a requirement of the story. Instead, the relationships should grow organically from the characters’ personalities and actions.
Full list of The Outer Worlds 2 companions
The full list of The Outer Worlds 2 companions looks like this:
- Niles
- Valerie
- Inez
- Tristan
- Marisol
- Aza
That’s probably the order you’ll find them in! Just remember, you might not be able to find all of them, or convince them to join you, so keep an eye out for these unique characters as you explore the galaxy.
Continue reading to learn more about each companion in The Outer Worlds 2, and we’ll show you exactly how to recruit them all.
Niles
How to recruit: Niles will be with you from the start, automatically.
Allegiance: Earth Directorate (the same as you).
Niles is a helpful companion with a special ability: he can draw enemy attention, giving you time to heal or reload. He can also craft items for you as you explore the world.
Valerie
How to recruit: VAL will be with you from the start, automatically.
Allegiance: Earth Directorate (same as you).
VAL can help you in battles right away by providing healing. As you play, you can improve her abilities further by upgrading her onboard your ship.
Inez
You can recruit Inez during the main story. You’ll first encounter her on Paradise Island. Once you finish a quest and return to the town hall, you’ll have the option to talk to her and add her to your team.
Allegiance: Aunty’s Choice.
Inez begins the game with a useful healing ability for battles. After you recruit her, you’ll get a quest where you decide how to repair her unique graft – we chose the Crabble outcome, though there are other options.
Tristan
To recruit Tristan: after visiting the first planet, go to Free Market Station. You’ll find him arguing with the bartender at a bar named The 2nd Choice. Talk to them and accept Tristan’s quest—completing it will add him to your team.
Allegiance: The Protectorate
Tristan is a powerful ally in battle, wielding a large hammer. He’s an excellent choice if you need a durable tank to protect your team.
Marisol
Okay, so if you want to get Marisol on your team, you’ll find her during the main story when you’re on the second planet. You’ll be sent to this science place to deal with a problem, and as long as you don’t accidentally (or intentionally!) kill her during that mission, she’ll join up with you. It’s pretty straightforward, just keep her alive!
Allegiance: Order of the Ascendant
As a fan, I’m really excited about Marisol’s abilities! Right from the beginning, she’s got this awesome scan that automatically finds your enemies, points them out, and even shows you what they’re weak against. It’s going to be a huge help in battles, for sure!
Aza
To recruit Aza, head to the Decommissioned Autonomous Extractorium on the south-east side of the second planet. You’ll hear her calling for help as you approach. Clear out the enemies in the area, then free her from the room she’s trapped in, and she’ll join your team.
Allegiance: The Glorious Dawn
Aza excels at both aggressive and stealthy playstyles. She can quickly engage enemies with strong attacks, or quietly eliminate weaker ones from the shadows.
And that’s your lot! They saved one of the best for last.
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2025-10-28 15:13