Curious how long The Outer Worlds 2 will keep you hooked? That depends a lot on your playstyle — here’s a breakdown of the estimated playtime.
The Outer Worlds 2 is shaping up to be much bigger than its predecessor — not just in terms of world size, but also story scope and side content. But how much time should you actually set aside? Here’s a summary of the current estimates.
The Outer Worlds 2 Playtime: What to Expect
How long you’ll spend in The Outer Worlds 2 depends heavily on how you approach it. If you rush through the main story, you’ll finish far quicker than someone who dives into every side quest and explores every corner. On average, expect the following playtimes:
- Main Story: Focusing solely on the central missions will take you about 25 to 30 hours.
- Main Story + Side Quests: Including side missions brings that up to around 50 hours.
- Completionist Run: If you want to see and do everything — explore every region and unlock multiple endings — expect 60 to 70 hours.
Bigger and More Complex Than the First Game
Compared to the first installment, there’s been a major leap in scale. Back then, the main story could be finished in about 13 to 15 hours, with a full run taking around 40. For the sequel, Obsidian promises a lot more — the studio says it’s “twice as big.” That applies to the game world, number of quests, dialogue options, and player choices.
Even the opening hours give a sense of that scale: according to preview players, the prologue and first area alone can take up to 12 hours — assuming you explore thoroughly. If you’re wondering whether you need to play the first game to understand The Outer Worlds 2, you’ll find the answer in this guide.
More Options, More Choices
One major reason for the longer playtime lies in the new features of The Outer Worlds 2: double jumps, revamped gunplay, improved stealth — all of it gives you multiple ways to tackle missions. Add in deeper faction decisions, an expanded dialogue system, and multiple possible endings. Your companions also come with their own questlines. Altogether, that means more content — and a higher replay value.
Whether you stick to the main plot or roam every corner of the map, The Outer Worlds 2 offers far more than its predecessor. Speedrunners might wrap up in around 30 hours, but players who immerse themselves in side quests, factions, and branching paths can easily spend twice as long. For RPG fans who love to explore, Obsidian’s new adventure could easily turn into a serious time sink.
