The Outer Worlds 2 Confirms Highly Requested Feature Will Be Included

One of the great joys of sprawling role-playing games is collecting a memorable crew of companions. In the original The Outer Worlds, players gathered a quirky and lovable found family aboard the Unreliable. Now, developer Obsidian Entertainment is expanding that family dynamic in the highly anticipated sequel. It has been confirmed that The Outer Worlds 2 will have a pet feature, allowing players to befriend various creatures and even an automechanical to join them on their ship.

This news answers a long-standing fan request and adds another layer of charm and personalization to the game’s vibrant sci-fi universe. The confirmation comes with exciting details about how these pets will function, where to find them, and—most importantly—the confirmation that yes, you can pet them.

The Outer Worlds 2 Pet Feature: A Highly-Requested Addition

The universe of The Outer Worlds is filled with fascinating and often dangerous alien fauna. From the vicious Raptidons to other strange beasts, the Halcyon system was teeming with life. Despite this, the original game didn’t launch with a pet system, leaving a void for players who wanted to befriend one of the galaxy’s many critters. That feature was eventually added in a DLC, but its inclusion from the start in the sequel shows that Obsidian has been listening to its community.

Game Director Brandon Alder explained that the development team went through an extensive list of the game’s creatures and NPCs to decide which ones would make the best companions. The goal was to give players more ways to connect with the world and make their ship feel more like a home. “I think people just like having pets and petting them and having them along for the journey,” Alder stated.

How to Build Your Intergalactic Menagerie

The Outer Worlds 2 pet feature is designed to be an integral part of the exploration and reward loop. Players won’t just be handed a pet at the start of the game; they’ll need to earn or find them through various means, making each new addition feel special.

There are three primary ways players can acquire pets:

1. As Quest Rewards: Completing certain quests for NPCs may result in them rewarding you with a loyal companion. This ties pet acquisition directly into the narrative and your actions within the world.
2. Found in the Wild: Adventurous players who explore every corner of the game’s biomes may stumble upon creatures that can be befriended and brought back to the ship.
3. Purchased from Vendors: In true Outer Worlds fashion, capitalism finds a way. Players will be able to purchase pets from various vendors, adding a transactional element to building your collection.

This variety ensures that every player’s experience will be different. Some may earn a pet through heroism, while others might simply buy the companion they want.

Your Ship, Your Sanctuary

Unlike human or robotic companions who join you in combat, pets in The Outer Worlds 2 will have a different role. They are designed to be residents of your ship, adding life and personality to your home base between missions.

Players can collect multiple pets throughout their adventure, but only one can be active on the ship at any given time. You can select which pet you want to have out and about from a menu, allowing you to cycle through your collection. This active pet will roam around your ship, creating a more dynamic and lived-in environment.

And for the question that every gamer asks: yes, you can interact with them. The developers have confirmed you can pet your active companion as much as you’d like. Crucially, your pets cannot die. They are there for companionship and to enhance the role-playing experience without adding the stress of protecting them in a hostile galaxy.

What Kind of Pets Can You Get?

While Obsidian has been tight-lipped about the full roster of potential pets, they have revealed a few tantalizing details. The team is pulling from a wide range of creatures, ensuring a diverse collection of companions.

One of the most interesting options confirmed is the ability to have a Protectorate Drone as a pet. These familiar flying automechanicals can be acquired for your ship, but they come “neutered,” meaning they won’t have any weapons or combat capabilities. They will simply fly around your ship, adding a touch of robotic charm to the crew. This confirmation opens the door for a variety of non-organic pets alongside the alien creatures players will encounter.

The Outer Worlds 2 pet feature is a perfect example of Obsidian’s commitment to player choice and creating immersive worlds. It’s a feature that adds warmth and personality to the cold, corporate-dominated vacuum of space. The ability to return to your ship after a dangerous mission and be greeted by a friendly creature that you can pet adds a simple but profound level of connection. As you prepare to explore a new star system and unravel another corporate conspiracy, you can rest assured that you’ll have a loyal, unkillable, and very pettable friend waiting for you back on the ship.