Obsidian Entertainment's The Outer Worlds brings players to a massive and colorful galaxy, allowing them to explore and contend with the various threats therein in the way that they see fit. But if you're just blasting off to this universe for the first time thanks to the game coming to Nintendo Switch, here are some of the best tricks and tips for new players.
DIPLOMACY IS KEY
As the game begins, players get the chance to really delve into the specific skills and strengths of their character. Leveling-up skills and attributes upgrade multiple things at once until a certain threshold is hit, giving your character a quickly developed sense of power even during the early hours of the game. But while it's worth having a wealth of skills across technological and combat fields, the most effective core skill to upgrade -- especially early on -- is Dialog. This will elevate the "Persuade," "Lie" and "Intimidate" skills.
With these attributes, the players will be given more options while trying to convince others to follow their orders or suggestions. Certain side-missions early in the game can only be fully completed for the best possible outcome if players fully develop their "Persuade" and "Lie" skills. With a "Persuade" score of 25 or a "Lie" score of 20, the player will be able to convince certain characters to complete their missions, giving them a better standing with certain figures in the game-world than if they'd just gone in guns blazing. As the game continues, this ability to woo and trick other characters can make life much easier.
GET THE RIGHT WEAPONS & GEAR
Having the right weapons can make or break battles with many of the early enemies in the game. Pistols and swords seem to be some of the only weapons that can be found early on, which can quickly prove to be insufficient in dealing with stronger enemies. But getting the right kinds of weapons and armor can make combat a significantly easier prospect going forward. Never forget to strip the bodies of any fallen enemies, especially those that drop major weapons like machine guns or enhanced armor.
The assault rifle in particular may initially be lacking when it comes to ammo, but it proves to be a very powerful tool against enemies. Coupled with Tactical Time Dilation (which allows the player to slow time to a crawl for a short period), the assault rifle can be used to bring down almost any and all core enemies with relative ease. Players are also able to target specific parts of the body. Doing so will stagger or blind enemies for a moment, giving the player a bigger opening to bring down the enemy once and for all. Make sure to use the Tactical Time Dilation to aim at these weak-points, using all of your advantages to their full potential.
BE CAREFUL!
The first place visited by the player in The Outer Worlds is Terra 2, just one of six planets located in the Halcyon star system. It's a perfect introduction to the game world and the means by which players can make their ways through the universe. The distinct and colorful world can often appear inviting -- but it's important to remember that things can very quickly take a turn if the player becomes overwhelmed by forces like murderous Marauders. Although weapons such as the assault rifle can make quick work of Marauders, the sheer number of them can lead players to be surrounded if they're not careful. While exploring ruins and locations, make sure to keep an eye out for the various threats like robotic enemies or animals, all of whom will eagerly attack you if you're spotted.
The biggest threat early on might come from the Primals, a deadly race of alien beings who assault and attack the player at the drop of a hat. Gun-fights can attract their attention, and their presence can easily bring sheer chaos to an already hectic battlefield. The Primals will be able to kill the player with ease if they get the opportunity, thanks in large part to their powers. The Behemoth in particular can use an "N-Ray Ground Slam" attack, which has the ability to cause lingering damage that breaks through any and all armors. If you attract their attention, run. If you make it far enough away from them, then there's a chance the Primals will move back to their caves and allow the player to continue their mission. However, it's possible to use Primals adantageously by attracting their attention and then leaving them to clear out other pesky humans like Marauders.
The Outer Worlds is currently available for purchase on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC. The Outer Worlds comes to the Nintendo Switch on June 5. A review copy was provided by the publisher.