Outward 2 Playtest Going Live on December 9th, Nine Dots Announces With Brand-New Video!
Nine Dots Studio announced today that an upcoming Steam playtest for Outward 2 will run from Tuesday, December 9th to Monday, December 15th, during which a portion of the game will be available for members of the community to play. The Québec-based team revealed the playtest dates with a new announcement video that features glimpses of the elusive underground city of Haboob, which fans have been speculating on for years.
Snapshot:
WHAT: A playtest for Nine Dots Studio’s upcoming open-world RPG, Outward 2, will be available on PC through Steam.
WHEN: Between December 9th and December 15th
WHY IT MATTERS: Players will get an opportunity to go hands-on with the game ahead of its 2026 early access release and share their feedback with the development team. Those interested in participating can still register as playtesters on [l1|Nine Dots Studio’s official site].
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Outward 2 Key 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.