Outward 2 Unveils July 7th Release Date in Spud-tastic Gameplay Trailer
Death only turns the page when the definitive adventure simulator launches into Early Access this summer
Québec, Canada – May 19th, 2026 — Nine Dots Studio is excited to announce that their long-awaited adventure RPG, Outward 2, launches into Early Access on July 7th, 2026. In celebration of the momentous occasion, the team has put together a trailer showcasing gameplay that will be a treat for all PC patrons out there—from those with top-of-the-line gaming stations, to those with more modest, yet trusty rigs. Outward 2 will be available in early access on Windows PC via Steam, the Epic Games Store, and GOG on July 7th. However, players will have a chance to play the game early during the Closed Beta starting on May 26th.
While the trailer gives a glimpse of the gorgeous world of Aurai in max settings, Nine Dots knows everyone has been waiting to see those glorious minimum settings in action. This is why, under the guidance of performance expert, Mr. Potato, they have put together a showcase of the game running on a custom-built PC* with the following specs:
- Fryzen 5 CPU
- 8 GB YAM
- PLU-4072 Graphics
*Disclaimer: Not real specs
Guillaume Boucher-Vidal, CEO and Creative Director at Nine Dots Studio, about the differences between the Original Outward and its upcoming sequel:
“Outward 2 is a natural successor to Outward and we want to overdeliver on everything that worked right. 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 make Outward 2 better: having better character creation and progression, being better at telling a story, creating a better world that feels more alive and full, and finally, better combat.”
This July, Outward 2 will usher players into Aurai, an unforgiving world that is gentle to no one. You are no prophesized savior with some innate power to carry you to glory. The definitive adventure simulator casts players as ordinary adventurers, where critical thinking and preparation are the only tickets to grand experiences. Drop your backpack before combat so that you’re able to move freely. Scout out a dangerous creature’s path and lay traps to weaken it before the killing blow. Every decision matters and consequences are real. Even death is no respite, as this only turns the page to the chapter where you must pick yourself up from the mud, find your backpack, and continue your journey with renewed vigor and insight.
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. If you’re knocked out, your journey continues, and you must live with the consequences.
- A Living, Evolving World — A full-year seasonal cycle transforms the world of Aurai and its four distinct areas. Regions will feature their own biomes, seasons, and specific gameplay.
- 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 — 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, though not all will be worth taking up 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.
Wishlist Outward 2 on Steam and register for upcoming playtests here. Stay in the loop by following Nine Dots Studio on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and visiting the official website. Join the conversation on the game’s official Discord community. Prepare yourself for Outward 2 by checking out Outward Definitive Edition which is available for Windows PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Outward 2 launches into early access on July 7th, 2026.
About Nine Dots Studio
Nine Dots aims at developing games that will drive the industry forward. To achieve this, they treat developers like human beings and video games like art rather than toys. No overwhelming NDA, no non-concurrence agreements, no crunch time. They build their own projects and make games they want to play and are passionate about. Everyone in the studio has a creative input on the game, no one is just a cog in the machine. Believe it or not, that makes them incredibly efficient at developing games.
