Developer Nine Dots Studio has confirmed that the adventure RPG Outward 2 will launch in Early Access on July 7, 2026 for PC through Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG. To celebrate the announcement, the studio also released a new gameplay trailer showcasing the game running across a variety of PC configurations, from high end machines to more modest setups. Before the official release, players can already experience the project through the closed beta that began this Tuesday, May 26.

The sequel once again takes players to Aurai, a hostile world where survival and preparation matter more than any heroic destiny. Instead of stepping into the role of a chosen champion, the experience places players in the shoes of an ordinary adventurer, demanding constant planning to face dangers, unpredictable creatures, and limited resources. Strategies such as dropping a backpack during combat to gain mobility or preparing traps before facing enemies are part of the core gameplay loop.

According to Guillaume Boucher Vidal, CEO and creative director at Nine Dots Studio, the team aimed to expand on the ideas that made the original title stand out among fans of the genre. “Outward 2 is a natural successor to Outward and we want to improve everything that already worked well. We aim to reward exploration and encourage players to prepare themselves and think about how they would truly react in the face of danger. We identified four key areas where we knew we needed to improve: character creation and progression, storytelling, building a more living world, and combat.”

Among the highlights revealed by the studio is the new mastery based progression system, where each player’s approach directly shapes the passive abilities their character develops. The world will feature a complete seasonal cycle that transforms Aurai’s four main regions, bringing visual and mechanical changes throughout the journey. In addition, trainers scattered across the world will be able to teach advanced survival techniques in exchange for payment.

Combat has also received significant improvements based on feedback from the original game’s community. Every weapon will feature its own move set, while new equipment combinations and smoother animations are expected to provide greater control during encounters. Ritualistic magic remains one of the experience’s core pillars, allowing players to create spells through specific preparations, such as throwing fire stones to form circles capable of empowering elemental attacks.

Another central element will be inventory management, treated by the studio as a strategic part of the adventure. The backpack continues to serve as an essential tool for carrying provisions, weapons, and camping supplies, but the limited space will force players to constantly decide what is truly worth carrying. The sequel also introduces a mule as an option for transporting extra cargo, although its vulnerability can influence player decisions as well. For those who prefer to face the challenges alongside someone else, the RPG will feature both online cooperative play and split screen support for two players.