Microsoft Confident The Outer Worlds 2 Will Succeed; Reviews to Arrive One Week Before Release

With only a few weeks until The Outer Worlds 2 launches, members of the press have already been sent advance copies — and the dates for review publications are now public.

With just weeks to go before launch, journalists have begun receiving early builds of The Outer Worlds 2, and the timetable for reviews has been disclosed.

The sequel continues the spirit of the 2019 original — a mix of sharp humor, branching choices, and Obsidian Entertainment’s signature RPG mechanics. With additional time, a larger budget, and greater creative latitude from Microsoft, the team aimed to make the experience broader and more substantial across the board.

Reviews are scheduled to publish on October 23, 2025, six days prior to the game’s official release on October 29, 2025. An early embargo typically signals publisher confidence — when a company allows an advance review window, it often reflects satisfaction with the finished product.

Because reviewers received the full game in advance, expect comprehensive critiques that will let players decide whether to purchase before launch.

As a reminder, The Outer Worlds 2 will be available on day one through Xbox Game Pass.

Source: iXBT.games