I can barely contain my excitement as we approach the launch of The Outer Worlds 2! As someone who absolutely loved the first game’s witty writing and engaging RPG mechanics, I’ve been counting down the days until October 29th, 2025. If you’re like me and want to dive right into this space adventure the moment it releases, you’ll need to know everything about preloading and file sizes. Trust me, with the massive install sizes we’re seeing, you’ll want to plan ahead!
The Outer Worlds 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to Obsidian Entertainment’s award-winning sci-fi RPG from 2019. If you missed the first game, think of it as “New Vegas in space” – a first-person RPG where your choices genuinely matter, filled with corporate satire, memorable companions, and that signature Obsidian storytelling we all love.
This time around, we’re heading to the Arcadia colony, where mysterious rifts are tearing reality apart. As an Earth Directorate agent, you’ll navigate faction wars, make tough choices, and recruit new companions in what promises to be a 30-40 hour adventure. The game launches on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC, and yes – it’s coming to Game Pass day one!
I’ll be honest – I’ve been replaying the original Outer Worlds to get hyped for this sequel. What made the first game special for me wasn’t just the shooting or exploration, but how every conversation felt meaningful. Your character background actually changed how NPCs reacted to you, and I love that Obsidian is doubling down on this system.
From what I’ve seen in early previews, the sequel looks like it’s taking everything great about the first game and expanding it. More companion interactions, more impactful choices, and that same dark humor that made me laugh out loud multiple times during my playthrough. Plus, with the new skip-drive technology storyline, we’re in for some mind-bending sci-fi goodness!
Let’s get to the good stuff – how you can actually preload this beast of a game. The process varies slightly depending on your platform, so I’ll break it down for each one.
Good news! Preloads are already live on Xbox platforms. Here’s how I did it:
If you have Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you can preload right now without any additional purchase. For everyone else, you’ll need to buy the game first.
Here’s where things get tricky. As of right now, Sony hasn’t confirmed when preloads will go live on PS5. Based on previous major releases, I expect preloads to go live 48-72 hours before launch, but this isn’t official yet.
Once preloads are available, the process will be:
For PC gamers, the situation is a bit more complex. On Steam, you can pre-purchase the game, but preloads typically go live 24-48 hours before release. Here’s what you need to do:
If you’re using other PC platforms like Epic Games Store, check their specific preload policies, as they may differ.
Brace yourselves – this game is huge! I was shocked when I saw the file sizes, and you’ll want to clear some serious space on your drives.
Why the massive difference? PC versions typically include uncompressed assets and additional language files that console versions might compress or make optional downloads. Also, PC requirements often account for temporary installation space needed during the setup process.
If you’re running low on storage, I’ve been there before. Check out my guide on how to manage large game files for some space-saving tips.
Let’s talk about whether your rig can handle this space epic. I’ve analyzed the official requirements and done some testing to give you the real scoop.
The minimum specs are actually quite reasonable for a modern AAA game. If you’ve built a gaming PC in the last 3-4 years, you should be fine. The GTX 1070 and RX 5700 are older cards now, but they’re still capable of running modern games at 1080p with decent settings.
Important note: The game requires an SSD – no spinning hard drives allowed! This makes sense given the game’s open-world elements and the need for fast loading times. If you’re still using an HDD, now’s the time to upgrade. Check out my guide on the best gaming hardware for upgrade recommendations.
While Obsidian hasn’t provided specific performance targets, based on the minimum specs, I’d expect:
The “performance scales with higher-end systems” note suggests that better hardware will yield better results, which is always good news for PC enthusiasts!
I’ve preloaded dozens of games over the years, and I’ve learned some hard lessons. Here are my best tips to ensure your Outer Worlds 2 preload goes smoothly:
I’ve been answering questions about this preload all week, so let me address the most common ones:
PC versions typically include uncompressed assets, additional language files, and account for temporary installation space. Console versions often compress assets and make languages optional downloads.
Yes! Once the game officially launches in your region, you’ll be able to play immediately if you’ve preloaded and the game is unlocked.
You’ll need to free up space before the preload completes. Consider uninstalling older games you’re not playing anymore. If you need help, check out my file management guide.
Almost certainly. Most major AAA games release day-one patches that fix last-minute issues and add optimizations. Plan for an additional 5-15 GB download on launch day.
Refund policies vary by platform. Steam typically offers refunds within 14 days of purchase and less than 2 hours of playtime. Console policies are more restrictive.
The Outer Worlds 2 is shaping up to be everything we hoped for and more. With just a few weeks until launch, now’s the perfect time to prepare your systems and clear that storage space. Whether you’re playing on Xbox, PlayStation, or PC, preloading will ensure you can jump right into the action the moment the game goes live.
I’m particularly excited to see how Obsidian has expanded on the choice-and-consequence systems that made the first game so special. The larger file size suggests we’re in for a content-rich experience with plenty of exploration and detailed environments.
Have you preloaded The Outer Worlds 2 yet? What platform are you playing on, and are you as excited as I am? Drop a comment below and let me know your thoughts on this space epic!
And if you’re looking for more gaming guides and system requirements, don’t forget to check out our other articles like the Little Nightmares 3 PC Requirements Guide and our Hades 2 Specs Guide for all your technical gaming needs.
