The time has come to expand on the experience for The Outer Worlds 2 with the first of a two-part story expansion, Side Effects Guaranteed, arriving on December 2. After a distress signal from a derelict ship is picked up, you and your crew quickly get embroiled into the story of an abandoned settlement, a power struggle for the future of the Sub Rosa criminal organization, and the fate of a team who has been subjected to something that will cause them all to die from explosive cell death. Really, it’s more a liquefaction than explosion, but it means death nonetheless.
A brand new story filled with moral quandaries and consequences big and small isn’t the only thing you’ll experience in the first DLC. An Earth Directorate Commander should always be sure to have a weapon at their side, and there are five new weapons to add to the arsenal. Such as the Immobilizer. Think of it like a gun that makes gravity forget to exist around its target, allowing them to float in the air, so you can switch to another weapon and pick them off as you like. Great for combining with grenades for anti-gravity explosions or the Tactical Time Dilation device for slowing down time and getting some critical shots in.
There is also the 1/6 Resolver that allows every sixth bullet that is fired from it to pack an extra special punch. For those who built their characters just right, they won’t have to empty the gun every time to get that critical hit, either. Other weapons include a weapon that does additional damage to creatures, a special Tossball Stick, and a new plasma weapon for some energy fun.
Yet it isn’t all about the weapons. Side Effects Guaranteed will also bring with it a level cap increase up to 36, new perks, new flaws, and a new Sub Rosa radio station with 20 new songs. There is also the all-new region of Elysium Valley to explore with unique quests and new facilities to make your way through. That’s a lot of new!
While the events of the DLC do trigger right before the point of no return in the main game, there is also a way to jump easily into the action. From the main menu if you start a new game, you will see an option to start Side Effects Guaranteed directly. This will load a pre-made character at level 27 that you can assign skill points and perks to so you can experience the DLC however you’d like and get started right away.
Not happy with the character you made (or the one you already have)? Coming to everyone at the same time as the release of Side Effects Guaranteed is a new update that will allow players to respec their character at any time. And for those who want more skills to play around with, a new addition to the custom game options allows you to adjust how many skill points you get per level. Find the balance that is right for you. Or become an Earth Director demi-god. Your worlds, your way.
But remember, however you decide to deal with Sub Rosa or the subjects of Elysium Valley will have consequences. Side effects, some might say, that will lead directly into the next installment of The Outer Worlds 2 two-part story expansion when it releases in the spring of 2027. Until then, may skill catch you where fortune fails. Side Effects Guaranteed releases on December 2nd or is available in the Premium Edition or Premium Edition Upgrade for The Outer Worlds 2.