The Outer Worlds 2 won't let you respec, Obsidian confirms, focus is roleplay

The ability to completely switch up your combat style by using a respec option is pretty common in modern videogames, and the first Outer Worlds was no different. Coming into The Outer Worlds 2, however, Obsidian is doubling down on its promise to a real roleplaying experience by removing the option to respec your character. No limited number of times you can do it, no way to use currency to fix a mistake - once you've picked your skills, you're in for the long haul.

The Outer Worlds 2's game director Brandon Adler states that Obsidian made the decision because "I personally want the player to understand their choices are permanent - they matter. There's a lot of times where you'll see games where they allow infinite respec, and at that point I'm not really roleplaying a character, because I'm jumping between - well my guy is a really great assassin that snipes from long range, and then oh, y'know, now I'm going to be a speech person, then respec again."

Adler apparently pauses a lot during RPG Site's interview, which gives me the impression that he's trying not to offend just about every other videogame and their respective fanbases. As Adler goes on to say, there's an awful lot of titles, including some of the best RPGs available, that let you respec infinitely these days. Perhaps with good reason, as it's very easy to unlock a skill by accident, or find out hours down the line that, actually, you hate the build you're going for.

Adler reasons that "it's not wrong that people like to play like that" but that he just wants to make sure that "if we're going to do The Outer Worlds 2, I want to make sure that the role playing is really strong. I want to make sure that you're building your character and really doubling down - making sure that role-playing comes through the whole experience.

"It's probably not a popular thing for me to say," Adler admits with a laugh, but further explains: "We want to respect people's time and for me in a role-playing game this is respecting somebody's time… Saying your choices matter, so take that seriously - and we're going to respect that by making sure that we give you cool reactivity for those choices that you're making. That's respecting your time."

If that has you sweating over your character build in The Outer Worlds 2 already, it might help to know that there is a grace period in the beginning where you are able to respec during the starting area. After that, however, you're on your own. To combat the potential stress of Obsidian's full commitment to roleplaying, you also get to tab through menus to see all of the available progression in detail. So you can plan out an entire build after meticulously studying what's on offer, if that's your jam.

Although developers can talk all they want about delivering full-blown roleplaying experiences, it seems Obsidian isn't just spitting words to drum up interest, and is truly committing to its vision. The decision to axe respeccing from its sci-fi sequel is a clear warning sign to those who prefer just dipping their toes into RPG systems, but also an inviting calling card to players who love fully committing to the roleplay bit.

Or, as Adler puts it "Not every game is for every single person. Sometimes you have to pick a lane."

If you want to get stuck into more sci-fi treats while you wait for The Outer Worlds 2 to release this October, then why not peruse our list of the best space games on PC. Or, if more first-person shenanigans is what you're after, then you can give our best FPS games on PC a gander.

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