At Gamescom 2025, a trailer for The Outer Worlds 2 was shown with new companions, ending with the joke: "no, you can't sleep with them." It's ironic, but important, as fans began talking about the role of relationships in the sequel.
Obsidian Director Brandon Adler explained that the approach will be similar to Avowed: romance arises only if it is natural for the characters and the plot.
In an interview, Obsidian emphasized that love lines are not mandatory. Adler noted that their development requires resources that distract from key elements, such as complex companion reactions. In The Outer Worlds 2, each companion is tied to a faction with unique opinions and behaviors: they can support or criticize the player, change their attitude depending on the choice, or even leave the team if they disagree.
The key principle is "organic": no pre-set schemes like "three compliments - and a romance." Relationships arise through natural interactions and the plot. This makes companions alive, immersing the player in the world of the game.
An example from the first part is helping Parvati get closer to Junlei Tennyson, an emotional journey without a direct romance for the main character. Adler did not specify whether similar situations would be repeated, leaving the decision to the players.
"I wanted a close connection with companions, but not necessarily a love one. If it arises naturally, we might discuss it, but that's not the initial goal. Romance should be organic, not pre-planned."
As a result, The Outer Worlds 2 will offer complex, reactive companions with realistic connections, where affection - romantic or not - develops naturally.
The release will take place on October 29, 2025 on PC, Xbox Series X|S and PS5, the game will appear on Game Pass on day one and promises to be "bigger and deeper" than the first part.
