Obsidian Entertainment’s The Outer Worlds 2 has officially landed on modern consoles, and early technical comparison reveals a compelling balance of strengths across PlayStation 5, PS5 Pro, and Xbox Series X|S. While each version delivers a solid visual and gameplay experience, distinct performance characteristics make certain platforms stand out in specific areas.
On the Xbox Series X, The Outer Worlds 2 offers two main display options: Performance Mode and Quality Mode, both operating at 60Hz output. Performance Mode prioritizes frame rate, maintaining an impressively stable 60 frames per second with minimal drops, even during large-scale combat and open-world exploration. However, it sacrifices visual fidelity with reduced foliage density, limited animation distances, and lower shadow map resolution, resulting in minor image softness. Quality Mode, meanwhile, emphasizes visual richness, running at roughly 1440p or higher and showcasing improved lighting and foliage detail at a stable 30fps. A third option, the Balanced Mode, available on 120Hz displays, delivers a smooth 40fps target at near-4K quality, offering an appealing middle ground for players seeking both clarity and fluidity.
The Xbox Series S version performs admirably considering its hardware constraints. It features a single Quality Mode at 30fps, visually resembling the Series X Performance Mode but at a slightly reduced internal resolution of around 1080p. The image quality remains softer overall, though the experience is stable and consistent. An optional 40fps Balanced Mode, running at 120Hz with an internal resolution near 864p, provides a surprisingly fluid gameplay experience despite the noticeable resolution drop.
On PlayStation 5, The Outer Worlds 2 delivers a presentation largely comparable to the Series X version, though with subtle differences. Performance Mode operates close to 1080p but occasionally suffers from frame rate dips and instances of screen tearing during intense encounters. Quality Mode targets 30fps with a sharp 4K-like image, yet experiences mild frame pacing inconsistencies, particularly in complex environments. The 40fps Balanced Mode, also outputting at 120Hz, performs similarly to the Series X equivalent but introduces small lighting discrepancies and slightly less consistent frame delivery. The PS5 avoids the bright grass outline bug found on the Xbox version, offering cleaner environmental presentation despite retaining a non-functional motion blur setting that does not respond to player adjustments.
The PS5 Pro iteration adds Sony’s proprietary PSSR upscaling technology, intended to enhance image sharpness and texture clarity. While PSSR succeeds in improving fine detail, its interaction with Unreal Engine 5’s Lumen lighting system introduces unintended instability. The result is a flickering or noisy lighting pattern, particularly in reflective or shadowed scenes, reducing visual coherence during gameplay. Performance remains on par with the base PS5 version, including occasional frame dips during demanding sequences. The integration of PSSR, though ambitious, currently delivers less stable visual results compared to the Series X’s native rendering approach.
Across all versions, The Outer Worlds 2 features several customization options, including a generous field-of-view slider ranging from 50 to 121 degrees. However, some functions, such as the motion blur adjustment, remain inactive, defaulting to a preset value regardless of user input. Additionally, most of the game’s content requires an online update, as the retail disc contains limited data, a point worth noting for physical buyers.
Developed by Obsidian Entertainment and powered by Unreal Engine 5, The Outer Worlds 2 transports players to the Arcadia star system for a brand-new satirical sci-fi adventure. The sequel expands on its predecessor’s blend of humor, narrative depth, and player-driven decision-making, featuring an entirely new cast, weapons, and alien threats. Released on October 29, 2025, the game is available now on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC, with a Day One debut on Xbox Game Pass.
In summary, The Outer Worlds 2 delivers a strong technical showing across platforms. Xbox Series X leads in overall stability and performance consistency, while the PS5 version offers near-identical visuals with minor drawbacks. The PS5 Pro’s PSSR implementation demonstrates both potential and limitation, providing sharper imagery but introducing lighting artifacts. Regardless of platform, Obsidian’s latest entry continues to shine as a visually ambitious and narratively rich experience that rewards exploration and player choice.
