Nine Dots has announced the early access launch date for Outward 2, and the PC system requirements have also been revealed.

This July, Outward 2 will immerse players in Aurai, a world that is unforgiving to all. You are not a prophesied savior with innate powers to carry you to glory. This definitive adventure simulator casts players as ordinary adventurers where critical thinking and preparation are the keys to grand experiences. Drop your backpack before combat to move freely. Scout a dangerous creature’s path and lay traps to weaken it before delivering the killing blow. Every decision matters, and the consequences are real. Even death offers no reprieve; it merely turns the page to the chapter in which you must pick yourself up from the mud, find your backpack, and continue your journey with renewed vigor and insight.

You’re not a legendary hero. Shape your modest and meager beginnings through three distinct starting scenarios and eleven backgrounds. These will determine where you start in this brutal world. If you’re knocked out, your journey continues and you must live with the consequences. A full-year seasonal cycle transforms the world of Aurai and its four distinct regions. Regions will feature their own biomes, seasons, and gameplay mechanics. Every factor in Outward 2 shapes your playstyle. The new Exercise system reinforces your tactical choices as a player, from the weight and material of your armor to the particular weapons you use. Passive skills will spark and grow based on how you play. Seek out special trainers scattered around Aurai who can teach you survival techniques for a fee.

Cast spells through rituals. For example, send a fire stone into the air to create a ring around you that empowers your skills with deadly flames. The sequel enhances the challenging combat system, in which every weapon has its own distinct moveset. It features a larger variety of tools and weapon combinations, along with animations that provide players with more fluidity and control. Major combat improvements were developed based on extensive player feedback from the original game. Your backpack is your lifeline, and every inch of space within it is valuable. Pack provisions, potions, weapons, and camping gear for an expedition. Manage your space carefully, though, as you gather more items along the way; not all of them will be worth keeping. During a fight, you may want to drop your backpack to attack and evade more deftly. The sequel introduces a mule that you can earn to carry your goods throughout your journey, but its vulnerability may also influence your path. Weigh each decision carefully.

Aurai is a grueling place, but you shouldn’t go alone. Plan and prepare with a friend to cover each other’s weaknesses and combine your strengths. Teamwork expands your opportunities and options for overcoming the many challenges you’ll face in Outward 2.

“Outward 2 is a natural successor to Outward, and we aim to exceed expectations by building on what worked well. We want to give huge payoffs to exploration and ask players to prepare and think about how they would actually react in the face of danger. We identified four key areas in which we knew we could, should, and must improve Outward 2: better character creation and progression, better storytelling, a more vibrant and immersive world, and improved combat,” said Nine Dots Studio CEO and creative director Guillaume Boucher-Vidal, discussing the differences between the original Outward and its sequel.

Let’s take a look at the system requirements:

Low-end system requirements – low graphics preset, 720p/30 FPS:
Processor: AMD FX-6300
RAM: 8 GB
Graphics card: GeForce GTX 750 Ti

Minimum system requirements – very low graphics preset, 1080p/30 FPS:
Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 1300X
RAM: 8 GB
Graphics card: GeForce GTX 960

High system requirements – high graphics preset, 1440p/60 FPS:
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
RAM: 16 GB
Graphics card: GeForce RTX 3070

Ultra system requirements – ultra graphics preset, 4K/60+ FPS:
Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 7700
RAM: 32 GB
Graphics card: GeForce RTX 4080

Outward 2 launches in Early Access on PC on July 7. A closed beta begins on May 26.

Source: Gematsu