The Outer Worlds 2 is getting a $14.99 expansion, and its next story depends on your choices
The Outer Worlds 2 is getting its first story expansion on December 2, and Obsidian says the choices players make in it will carry into a second DLC planned for spring 2027.
Side Effects Guaranteed costs $14.99 on its own and is also included in the game’s Premium Edition or Premium Edition Upgrade. It adds a new region, raises the level cap and begins a two-part story about a heist crew in serious trouble. See the official announcement.
The setup starts with a distress signal from a derelict ship. Its crew is in suspended animation after a heist exposed them to something that threatens to liquefy them unless a cure can be found.
Image: Obsidian Entertainment / Xbox
A new region and a choice of allies
The search leads to Elysium Valley on Eden, a settlement whose former Protectorate subjects have been left behind by their leaders. Two members of the criminal organization Sub Rosa have different ideas about what should happen there.
Gordon Hazen wants information that could save his crew, while another agent, Algernon Lankester, hopes to exploit the settlement. Obsidian says players’ decisions will affect the next installment of the expansion story.
The new area also brings enemies including oversized primal sprats, as well as weapons, armor and companion outfits. A Sub Rosa radio station adds 20 songs, according to the announcement.
Image: Obsidian Entertainment / Xbox
More levels, perks and flaws
The level cap rises from 30 to 36. That gives players additional skill points and room to acquire three more perks; the update adds 15 new perks to the selection and introduces four flaws.
Image: Obsidian Entertainment / Xbox
One flaw, Lethally Tolerant, increases maximum toxicity but makes a toxicity crash instantly fatal. It is an example of the expansion’s risk-and-reward approach to character builds, not a free upgrade with no downside.
Players who want to jump straight in can use a new alternate starting point that creates a custom save at the beginning of the DLC. The $14.99 expansion is separate from the base game unless it is already covered by the edition or upgrade a player owns.
