The Outer Worlds 2 All Endings Guide: Every Choice, Consequence & Secret Ending

Understanding the Core Ending Mechanics

The Outer Worlds 2 arrives on October 29, 2025, bringing Obsidian Entertainment's narrative approach to the Halcyon colony. Obsidian is known for complex choice systems, with Fallout: New Vegas serving as a key precedent. The original Outer Worlds demonstrated how these systems shape endings. The game featured a binary choice between Dr. Phineas Welles and the Board, creating two distinct ending paths that formed the core of the conclusion. This central decision determined which main storyline players would see.

This guide examines The Outer Worlds 2's ending system ahead of its October 29, 2025 release. This is a pre-release guide that will be updated with verified information, specific choice points, and confirmed outcomes as they become available. Based on Obsidian's design philosophy and the first game's mechanics, The Outer Worlds 2 will feature a branching ending system where story choices, faction allegiances, and companion relationships influence the final result. Understanding these systems helps players make informed decisions and see the full consequences of their actions.

Faction Allegiance System

The original game established a robust faction allegiance framework that will likely serve as the foundation for The Outer Worlds 2's reputation mechanics. The first game featured three major factions: the Board, a corporate oligarchy controlling the colony; the Iconoclasts, a rebel movement fighting against corporate control; and the Deserters, former corporate employees who abandoned their posts. These factions will probably return in evolved forms, maintaining the complex relationship dynamics that made the first game's endings so varied.

The interplay between corporate control and rebel forces created a dynamic where every choice carried weight. This reputation system tracked player standing and directly influenced which ending slides appeared. High reputation with factions delivered tangible benefits like improved vendor prices, enhanced companion loyalty, access to exclusive quests, and faction-specific rewards. Conversely, low reputation triggered hostile encounters, increased prices, quest restrictions, and companion conflicts that could dramatically alter your playthrough's outcome.

The consequences of your faction alignment extended far beyond immediate gameplay benefits. Your choices regarding which factions to support or betray created ripple effects that manifested in the game's endings. With up to 20 additional endings for specific characters and factions depending on player actions, the system demonstrated remarkable depth that Obsidian will likely expand upon in the sequel. These multiple endings suggest that The Outer Worlds 2 will feature even more branching paths, where early-game choices about faction loyalty create cascading effects throughout the narrative.

Companion Loyalty & Endings

Companion relationships formed another crucial pillar of The Outer Worlds' ending mechanics, and this system should become even more sophisticated in the sequel. The first game featured six core companions: Parvati Holcomb, an optimistic engineer; Felix Millstone, a street-smart drifter; Nyoka Ramnarim-Wentworth III, a seasoned monster hunter; Vicar Max DeSoto, a philosophical clergyman; Ellie Fenhill, a cynical medic; and SAM the sanitation robot, an efficient cleaning unit.

Each companion possessed dedicated loyalty quests that affected their individual outcomes in the endings. The depth of these characters suggests Obsidian will maintain this standard, possibly expanding the roster for greater narrative variety. The approval system measured how companions reacted to your choices, creating a dynamic relationship that could unlock unique perks when approval reached high thresholds. If approval fell too low, companions might leave or become hostile, representing a significant sacrifice of party strength and narrative content.

The completion status of companion quests combined with overall world state determined what happened to companions in the endings. This integration of personal stories with grand faction politics created a layered narrative where both large-scale choices and intimate character moments shaped the final outcome. Obsidian's design patterns suggest they'll maintain this interconnected approach, possibly adding more companions with even deeper loyalty mechanics. The sacrifice of leaving a companion's quest incomplete could mean missing crucial ending variations.

Moral Choice Consequences

The Outer Worlds distinguished itself through its commitment to gray morality, a philosophy that will likely define The Outer Worlds 2's narrative structure. The game featured morally ambiguous situations with no clear "right" answer affecting colony outcomes, forcing players to weigh complex consequences rather than simple good versus evil binaries. This approach to morality made each decision feel weighty and personal, as players couldn't rely on traditional moral compasses.

Ending slides were narrative summaries generated based on player world state, including faction reputation levels, quest completion status, key story decisions, and companion outcomes. Your choices such as helping or killing NPCs, completing quests in specific ways, and faction alignments influenced which ending slides were shown, creating a personalized epilogue that reflected your unique path through the game.

The point of no return in The Outer Worlds came when players made decisions that permanently altered faction relationships or character fates. At this stage, the consequences of your accumulated choices became locked in, determining which combination of the numerous possible endings you would receive. Obsidian's track record indicates they'll preserve this branching narrative structure while potentially increasing the number of variables that affect the final outcome.

Major Ending Categories (Anticipated Based on Series Patterns)

Corporate Dominance Ending

The Corporate Dominance path represents one of the primary endings anticipated for The Outer Worlds 2, following patterns established in the first game. This route allows players to maintain the established corporate order, prioritizing stability over revolutionary change. Your choices throughout the game will determine whether the Board continues its control, with significant consequences for all of Halcyon that ripple through every level of society.

In The Outer Worlds 1 Board ending, the corporate Board retained control of Halcyon through decisive action and strategic suppression of dissent. The colony's economy continued under corporate oversight, ensuring that profit motives and hierarchical management remained the foundation of colonial life. This outcome demonstrates how player decisions at critical moments can reinforce authoritarian systems rather than dismantle them.

The morality of this path becomes evident in how dissent is handled. Many non-aligned factions faced severe suppression under this regime. The consequences for resistance movements were particularly harsh, reflecting the Board's zero-tolerance policy toward any challenge to its authority.

• The Iconoclasts were suppressed and marginalized, with their resistance dismantled completely
• Members faced imprisonment or were forced into hiding to survive the corporate crackdown
• The Deserters were intercepted and returned to Board custody when attempting to flee the colony

This ending forces players to confront the sacrifice of freedom for order. The point of no return comes when you decide whether corporate control justifies the oppression of those who seek self-governance. Your morality is measured by your willingness to maintain stability through authoritarian means.

Revolutionary Path Ending

The Revolutionary Path offers a stark contrast to corporate control, representing the other major ending category in The Outer Worlds 2. This route aligns with Dr. Phineas Welles' vision of a free Halcyon, where colonists determine their own destiny without corporate interference. Your choices to support revolution will trigger consequences that reshape the entire colony.

In The Outer Worlds 1 Phineas ending, Dr. Phineas Welles successfully revived the colonists from their long hibernation. This action broke the Board's monopoly on life-support and restored hope to Halcyon. The sacrifice required to achieve this outcome demonstrates the personal cost of challenging entrenched corporate power.

The ripple effects of revolution transform society fundamentally. The Iconoclasts emerged as a legitimate voice for colonial self-governance. They established new settlements free from corporate oversight, creating communities based on democratic principles rather than profit motives.

• The Iconoclasts gained legitimacy and established autonomous settlements across the colony
• Deserters were no longer pursued by the Board and welcomed into revived colonies
• Corporate monopoly on essential resources was permanently dismantled

This ending highlights how morality in The Outer Worlds isn't simply good versus evil, but rather different visions for society's future. The point of no return arrives when you commit to dismantling systems that, however flawed, provide order. Your choices determine whether the sacrifice of stability is worth the promise of freedom.

Balanced/Neutral Ending

The Balanced/Neutral path demonstrates that The Outer Worlds 2 will likely feature far more than simple binary endings. Obsidian's design philosophy embraces narrative complexity, as evidenced by The Outer Worlds 1 featuring up to 20 additional endings for specific characters and factions. These nuanced outcomes ensure that your choices create unique consequences beyond the main corporate versus revolutionary divide.

A prime example of this approach is the ability to broker peace between MSI and the Iconoclasts on Monarch. This third path prevented open conflict and resulted in both factions coexisting under negotiated settlement. Such diplomatic solutions require careful attention to faction reputation and key story decisions throughout your journey.

The consequences of neutrality can be just as significant as choosing a side. You must balance competing interests while recognizing that the point of no return may be less obvious when walking the middle path. Your morality is tested not through allegiance, but through the fairness of your compromises.

• Negotiated settlements prevent unnecessary bloodshed while preserving valuable infrastructure
• Multiple factions can survive and thrive simultaneously under carefully brokered agreements
• Character-specific endings reward personal relationships alongside faction choices

Secret/True Ending

Beyond the standard narrative paths, Obsidian games typically feature complex secret endings requiring specific conditions. The Outer Worlds 1 included a secret 'joke' ending that demanded high dialogue and tech skills to unlock. This tradition strongly suggests The Outer Worlds 2 will contain hidden conclusions for dedicated players who explore every possibility.

These secret endings operate differently from main story outcomes. The secret ending didn't affect the major faction outcomes but provided an alternate conclusion that rewarded creative problem-solving. Players who invest in unconventional character builds may find themselves with unique options at critical moments that bypass traditional conflict entirely.

Secret endings often have obscure trigger conditions that can be missed if you commit to a main path too early. These conditions require careful attention to detail and often involve seemingly minor decisions that snowball into unexpected opportunities. The existence of these hidden outcomes adds tremendous replayability.

• High skill requirements in dialogue and tech unlock alternative solutions to major problems
• Secret endings provide narrative variety without invalidating main faction outcomes
• Obsidian's design philosophy rewards players who think outside conventional choice frameworks

Companion-Specific Ending Variations

The Foundation of Companion Ending Systems

The Outer Worlds established a robust framework for companion-specific endings that will likely influence its sequel. Ending slides generated based on player world state created a dynamic conclusion system where quest completion status and key story decisions directly impacted each companion's fate. This approach ensured that choices made throughout the game carried tangible consequences beyond the main narrative.

The system operated on clear principles. Each companion had unique outcomes based on player choices throughout their questlines. Achieving best endings required completing personal quests and maintaining high relationships. This created a direct link between player investment in characters and their ultimate destinies.

Notable Companion Arcs and Consequences

The first game demonstrated remarkable narrative range in how companion stories could resolve. The contrast between best and worst outcomes served as a powerful illustration of how player agency shaped individual lives.

• Parvati Holcomb: Her best ending saw her return to Edgewater to help rebuild the community while moving in with Junlei. Her worst ending left her remaining a shy mechanic who eventually leaves the crew.
• Felix Millstone: He could become an elected leader of Hope colonists or devolve into a wandering mercenary taking odd jobs across the galaxy.
• Nyoka Ramnarim-Wentworth III: She could found the CHARON group, a paramilitary organization protecting colonists, or continue as a bounty hunter.
• Vicar Max DeSoto: He could return to the Byzantine Catholic Church and get ordained, or become a hermit or wandering preacher.
• Ellie Fenhill: She could become head of newly formed corporation 'The Halcyon Holdings,' lead a rebellion, or remain a corporate executive.
• SAM the sanitation robot: His consciousness could evolve to full sentience, or he could face permanent shutdown if deactivated.

Anticipating The Outer Worlds 2's Companion Framework

Based on these established patterns, The Outer Worlds 2 will likely expand upon this companion consequence system. The sequel should retain the core requirement of completing loyalty quests while maintaining high relationships to secure best endings. However, the complexity of these quests and the morality systems within them will probably deepen.

The concept of sacrifice will likely play a larger role. Players may face decisions where helping one companion could harm another's prospects, creating interwoven consequences that force difficult choices. Morality will probably evolve from the binary corporate versus independent dynamic to more nuanced philosophical conflicts. Companions might disagree on methods rather than just ideologies.

The sequel will likely introduce more granular world state tracking, factoring in dialogue choices, companion interactions with each other, and how players handle the new sacrifice mechanics. Players should prepare for a system where every conversation could ripple into ending variations. The established pattern suggests that ignoring companion needs will lead to diminished outcomes. The Outer Worlds 2 will probably maintain the ending slide format while adding more variation, with companions having three or four potential outcomes rather than two.

Critical Decision Points - The Point of No Return

Early Game Alignment Choices

The Edgewater choice between saving the Botanical Lab or supporting Spacer's Choice represents one of the first major moral decisions in The Outer Worlds. This early decision established the game's core moral framework and set the tone for the player's relationship with corporate power versus revolutionary movements. This pivotal moment demonstrated the game's commitment to meaningful player agency, where early decisions have lasting consequences.

Players who chose to help the Deserters found themselves aligned with anti-corporate sentiment, while those who saved Edgewater reinforced the existing power structures. These choices created ripple effects that influenced how NPCs perceived the player and which factions would offer support later.

• The Edgewater decision forced players to weigh immediate survival against long-term ideological commitments
• Consequences of this choice appeared in later quests and ending slides
• This established a pattern of morality being tied to faction allegiance rather than abstract good versus evil
• The choice illustrated how sacrifice was often required, as saving one community meant dooming another

For The Outer Worlds 2, this pattern suggests that early choices will similarly establish your character's ideological foundation. Players should expect an equivalent decision within the first few hours that forces them to align with either established power structures or rebellious factions.

Mid-Game Moral Crossroads

The MSI vs Iconoclasts choice on Monarch during the mid-game quest 'Canid's Cradle' represents a crucial point of no return that affected faction relationships. Players had to decide who would receive a powerful targeting module, determining which groups would be hostile or friendly for the remainder of the game. This decision was particularly significant because it occurred after players invested substantial time building relationships with both factions.

However, the game also offered a diplomatic path, allowing players to broker peace between MSI and Iconoclasts, preventing open conflict and demonstrating that sacrifice wasn't always inevitable.

• Giving the module to MSI strengthened corporate-aligned forces on Monarch
• Delivering it to the Iconoclasts empowered the revolutionary movement
• The peace-brokering option required high persuasion skills and completed side quests
• This mid-game point of no return locked in faction alliances that persisted through the final act

The Outer Worlds 2 will likely feature a similar mid-game point of no return that tests the player's established allegiances. After investing hours building relationships with multiple factions, players should expect a crisis that forces them to choose sides definitively. The presence of a diplomatic solution in the first game suggests that The Outer Worlds 2 may also reward players who invest in negotiation skills.

Final Act Commitment Points

The biggest decision occurred late in the game at the Halcyon Holdings embassy, where players had to choose whether to betray Dr. Phineas Welles and give him to the Board. This represented a definitive point of no return that fundamentally altered the game's narrative direction and determined whether players experienced the heroic liberation path or became corporate villains.

Choosing to side with the Board transformed players into what the game described as 'a true Outer Worlds villain,' fundamentally shifting the protagonist's role in the story. This single choice determined the two main endings of the game—Board-aligned or Phineas-aligned—exemplifying the design philosophy of presenting fundamental moral decisions.

• The Phineas-aligned path focused on revolutionary liberation of the colony
• The Board-aligned ending emphasized corporate order and controlled survival
• This final act choice overwrote many earlier faction decisions in terms of primary narrative direction
• Companion reactions to this decision could affect their personal quest resolutions and final fates

For The Outer Worlds 2, this final point of no return will likely be even more consequential, potentially determining not just the fate of a colony but of multiple star systems. Players should anticipate a late-game decision that asks them to betray their primary benefactor or remain loyal at tremendous personal cost.

General Pattern Integration

Throughout the entire game, companion loyalty decisions in early, mid, and late game affected companion outcomes and contributed to ending slides. These smaller-scale choices accumulated alongside major faction decisions to create a complex web of consequences that personalized each player's experience. The morality system in The Outer Worlds wasn't based on a simple good-evil spectrum but rather on corporate loyalty versus revolutionary ideals.

Faction reputation decisions accumulated across all game phases to affect which ending slides were shown, meaning even minor quests could influence the final narrative summary. This design philosophy suggests that The Outer Worlds 2 will likely maintain a structure where early game choices establish core ideological alignment, mid-game decisions create faction-based points of no return, and final act commitments determine the primary ending path.

Sacrifice Mechanics & Their Impact

The Core Sacrifice System: Permadeath and Difficulty

Based on the first game's mechanics, The Outer Worlds 2 will likely feature a tiered companion death system tied directly to difficulty settings. On Supernova difficulty, companions will probably die permanently when reduced to 0 HP, while lower difficulties will feature temporary knockouts with automatic recovery. This design choice creates a fundamental difference in how players approach sacrifice.

The permanent death system would align perfectly with Obsidian's established philosophy of meaningful consequences. Dead companions will likely fail their associated quest lines, locking players out of specific story content and potentially altering available endings. This transforms companion management from a secondary consideration into a primary strategic element. The tiered system also means that players can experience the story without permanent loss on lower difficulties, then return to Supernova for a truly consequential playthrough.

Strategic Implications for Your Playthrough

Players will need to carefully consider which companions to bring into dangerous situations, as each deployment carries genuine risk. To improve companion survivability, players will likely need to invest in three specific perks: Healthy, which increases maximum health; Shake It Off, which provides damage resistance; and Second Wind, which triggers healing when downed. Each perk represents a deliberate investment choice that could otherwise go to direct combat or dialogue abilities.

Regular equipment updates will be crucial for maintaining companion survivability. Armor upgrades, weapon improvements, and consumable management become life-or-death decisions rather than simple optimization puzzles. The strategic depth extends to mission planning and point of no return decisions where the risk of permanent companion loss must be evaluated before entering high-risk areas.

Companion positioning becomes a mini-game of its own, requiring players to scout ahead, issue precise commands, and sometimes leave favored companions behind for their own safety. The choices you make about who to bring on each mission directly correlate to which endings remain achievable. Methodical play becomes essential, with players needing to quicksave frequently, scout encounters thoroughly, and sometimes retreat from unfavorable situations.

Narrative Consequences and Moral Weight

Permanent companion death will likely function as a de facto reload condition for many players, creating intense emotional investment in character survival. The system forces players to invest significant resources into companion welfare through proper gear, strategic planning, and careful positioning. This investment makes each companion feel valuable rather than disposable, enhancing the narrative impact when choices lead to loss.

The consequence system extends beyond individual missions to affect entire quest arcs and potential endings. When a companion dies, their associated storylines would logically fail, removing narrative branches and potentially altering the game's conclusion. The sacrifice mechanics ultimately serve to ground the game's moral framework in tangible loss. When companions can die permanently, abstract ethical debates become concrete decisions with immediate, irreversible outcomes.

Your morality isn't just about choosing between good and evil dialogues. It's demonstrated through the effort you expend to keep your crew alive, the risks you take, and the compromises you make. A player who emerges with all companions intact has fundamentally different narrative options than one who weathered losses, creating truly divergent story experiences that justify multiple playthroughs.

How to Unlock Each Ending Path

Understanding the Three Main Endings

The Outer Worlds features three distinct endings that reflect your accumulated choices and morality throughout the campaign. Each path offers unique consequences for the Halcyon colony and its inhabitants.

• Board Ending: A corporate-controlled conclusion where you betray Phineas Welles
• Phineas Ending: A revolutionary outcome where you side with Welles to free the colonists
• Secret 'Joke' Ending: An alternate low-intelligence conclusion that bypasses main faction outcomes

Board Ending: The Corporate Control Path

The Board ending represents the ultimate sacrifice of personal freedom for structured order. This path locks in when you reach the point of no return at the Halcyon Holdings embassy during 'The City and the Stars' quest.

• Choose to betray Dr. Phineas Welles at Halcyon Holdings embassy
• Corporate Board retains control of Halcyon
• Colonists remain in stasis, Dr. Phineas captured
• Iconoclast resistance dismantled, Deserters intercepted

Phineas Ending: The Revolutionary Path

The Phineas ending emphasizes breaking corporate monopoly and embracing uncertain freedom. Refusing to betray Dr. Phineas Welles sets this path in motion, leading to widespread systemic change. This decision prioritizes individual autonomy over corporate stability.

• Refuse to betray Dr. Phineas Welles
• Work with him to revive colonists
• Break Board's monopoly on life-support
• Iconoclasts emerge as legitimate voices, Deserters welcomed

Secret 'Joke' Ending: The Low-Intelligence Route

This hidden ending provides an alternate conclusion that doesn't affect main faction outcomes. It requires specific character build sacrifices from the start of your journey.

• Low intelligence (3 or below) to access special 'dumb dialogue' options
• Manually skip the Hope at the end
• Provides alternate conclusion without affecting main faction outcomes

Key Decision Points Throughout Your Journey

Your ending is shaped by three critical decision phases that establish faction relationships and determine final consequences. Early game choices create ripple effects that culminate in the embassy confrontation. The Edgewater choice between Botanical Lab and Edgewater establishes foundational faction relationships. The Monarch choice between MSI and Iconoclasts determines faction hostility levels. The embassy choice serves as the ultimate point of no return, locking you into either the Board or Phineas ending path.

Supporting Systems That Shape Your Ending

Multiple gameplay systems track your choices and modify ending consequences beyond the main path. High faction reputation provides tangible benefits throughout your journey, including improved prices, enhanced companion loyalty, exclusive quests, and story impact. Low reputation causes hostile encounters, increased prices, quest restrictions, and companion conflicts. The Face Reader perk allows previewing reputation impacts before making major decisions.

Individual companion quest completion and relationship levels affect personal outcome slides. Each companion's ending is determined separately from the main ending, with up to 20 additional ending slides based on your complete action history across the colony.

Best Ending Recommendations

The concept of "best" endings remains subjective across different player values and playstyle preferences. The Outer Worlds 2 will likely maintain this philosophical divide between freedom and corporate control that defined the original game's narrative structure. Your choices at key narrative junctures will determine which ending you experience and what consequences ripple through the colony for years to come.

Morally Optimal Ending

Based on The Outer Worlds 1 patterns, the Phineas ending generally provided better outcomes for common people. This established precedent strongly suggests that similar revolutionary paths in the sequel will prioritize colonial welfare over corporate interests. This path allowed colonists to regain autonomy and provided what many considered the 'good ending' for the common people of Halcyon.

The Iconoclasts championed democratic decision-making for colony affairs. Deserters were welcomed into revived colonies where they contributed expertise to rebuilding. This approach transformed perceived traitors into valuable community assets. This path prioritized individual freedom over corporate control, but it often required sacrifice of immediate material benefits. The long-term consequences include stronger community bonds and sustainable colonial development.

Power/Material Optimal Ending

The Board ending provided corporate rewards and material gains. Players focused on personal enrichment found this route offered superior tangible benefits. High faction reputation with corporate entities provided improved vendor prices, enhanced companion loyalty, access to exclusive quests, and faction-specific rewards.

• Vendor discounts on crucial supplies and equipment
• Exclusive high-tier weapons and armor unavailable through other endings
• Companion abilities enhanced through corporate training programs
• Unique questlines with substantial monetary payouts and rare resources

Corporate control ensured economic stability and hierarchical management. This structure appealed to players who valued order over the chaos of revolution. This path prioritized profit motives and established order over revolutionary change. The point of no return in this route requires players to accept that their choices sacrifice collective freedom for personal gain.

Conclusion & Post-Launch Update Plan

The Legacy of Choice and Consequence

Obsidian Entertainment is known for branching narratives, with Fallout: New Vegas as a precedent. The first Outer Worlds featured complex choice systems with meaningful consequences that built upon this established foundation. The game presented binary endings (Board vs Phineas) with over 20 additional ending variations. This structure meant that while the final decision remained consistent, the resulting outcomes varied dramatically based on player actions.

These variations demonstrate how faction reputation, companion loyalty, and moral choices all affected final outcomes. Each system contributed to determining which ending players would ultimately see. The outcome-determining factors included faction reputation shaping colony-wide results, companion loyalty affecting personal story consequences, and moral choices carrying weight throughout the narrative.

Understanding Points of No Return

Points of no return occurred at critical story moments in the first game. Players encountered these decisive junctures during events at Edgewater, Monarch, and the Embassy. These moments represented places where earlier choices solidified into permanent narrative states. The game signaled these transitions clearly while making them unavoidable once passed.

Sacrifice mechanics added emotional weight to these decisions. Companion death on Supernova difficulty created particularly impactful consequences that affected the ending sequences. The game emphasized complex moral decisions over simple good versus evil choices, forcing players into nuanced ethical positions.

The Value of Multiple Playthroughs

With over 20 ending variations, the first game offered extensive replay value. The combination of faction reputation, companion loyalty, and moral choices created distinct outcomes for each playthrough. Each new game could yield different consequences based on how players handled these elements. Those seeking to experience all endings must navigate sacrifice mechanics and points of no return with different strategies each time.

The consequences of decisions affect the narrative experience. Understanding these systems helps players appreciate the depth of choice available and prepares them for complex decision-making. The established patterns show how deeply choice and consequence are woven into the game's design, resulting in different experiences when players explore different paths.