Outward 2: Earth‑Eating Simulator Launches Steam Open Beta

Fans of the original Outward already know that life in the world of Aurai is a relentless headache—one that you actually enjoy. You’re not a prophesied hero, you don’t inherit powers, and a careless mistake can have a wolf finish you off in two bites. That brutal yet honest formula drew more than three million players, and at the PC Gaming Show 2026, Nine Dots Studio revealed that the Outward 2 beta will now open to everyone on Steam today.

Alongside the announcement came the definitive Early Access launch date: July 7, 2026 on PC via Steam, Epic, and GOG. To survive this extreme survival‑role‑play madness, you’ll want to recruit a trusted friend for co‑op adventures.

The sequel refines every element that made the original great, all while preserving its hallmark difficulty. Players start from scratch, choosing between three opening scenarios and eleven backstories that shape their grim destiny. Defeat isn’t a simple “Game Over”; the journey continues, forcing you to live with the fallout of your failures.

Gameplay-wise, combat is expected to be noticeably smoother—one of the few rough edges of the first game—and introduces the “Exercise” system, where passive skills sprout and evolve based on your real playstyle. Magic now revolves around rituals: to set enemies ablaze, you must first activate rune stones and craft a circle on the ground, eliminating the old habit of firing free fireballs from a distance.

Your backpack remains your lifeline. Every free slot is gold, so you must carefully decide whether to carry potions, food, or camping gear. During combat, the mechanic of dropping the backpack to dodge remains intact. The developers have also added a beautiful new feature: you can acquire a pack mule to haul your gear. However, the mule is vulnerable, so protecting it will become another major concern on your journey.

To commemorate the announcement, the studio launched the #ExploreAurai contest on their social media platforms. Starting today, players who join the beta and upload their best screenshot or video (be it an epic victory or a ridiculous death) before June 25th, tagging the brand and a friend, stand a chance to win two early access keys for July 7th. Outward 2 promises to refine a cult classic, without losing its edge. It’s a rugged, challenging, and personality-filled journey that we should embark on right away by downloading the beta. Time to don the coats and sharpen the machetes.

Gustavo Sobrero, known as El Cenizas, is the Editor-in-Chief of [IRROMPIBLES]. Raised by a community of flamenco enthusiasts with theatrical aspirations, he inherited their talent for dramatic posing in group photos. He spent his youth investigating if fish have regional accents while experimenting with “blub”. He is absolutely certain that no one reads this information in profiles (he plans to prove it with this text). They can follow him on Twitter (@ElCenizasWTF) and Instagram (@el_cenizas).