The Outer Worlds
The Outer Worlds

Difficulty Settings

Adjust The Outer Worlds difficulty settings anytime to tailor your playthrough. Change settings on the fly to match your combat encounters or narrative focus.

·Multi-source verified (76/76)

Difficulty Settings

The Outer Worlds offers a range of difficulty settings to suit every type of player, from those looking for a narrative-focused journey to those craving a true challenge. You can adjust these settings at any time during your playthrough via the in-game menu, making it easy to tailor the experience to your current comfort level or specific combat encounters.

Adjusting Difficulty

To change your difficulty:

  1. Pause the game by pressing the appropriate button for your platform (e.g., Options on PS4, Menu on Xbox One, Esc on PC).
  2. Navigate to the "Settings" menu.
  3. Select "Gameplay."
  4. Locate the "Difficulty" option and choose your desired setting.

while you can switch between difficulties freely, certain achievements or trophies might be tied to completing the game on specific higher difficulties without changing them.

Difficulty Levels Explained

Here's a breakdown of each difficulty setting and what you can expect:

Story (Easy)

  • Enemy Health & Damage: Significantly reduced. Enemies pose little threat, allowing you to focus on the rich narrative and character interactions without constant combat pressure.
  • Companion Effectiveness: Your companions are more robust and deal increased damage, making them highly effective in combat.
  • Resource Management: Less critical. You'll find ample ammunition, healing items like Adreno, and crafting materials.
  • Ideal For: Players who want to experience the story, explore the Halcyon colony at their leisure, and enjoy the dialogue and choices without getting bogged down by challenging combat. Perfect for a first playthrough or those new to RPGs.

Normal

  • Enemy Health & Damage: Standard. Enemies provide a moderate challenge, requiring some tactical thought and proper gear.
  • Companion Effectiveness: Companions are helpful but won't carry you through every fight. Strategic use of their abilities is beneficial.
  • Resource Management: Important but not overly punishing. You'll need to keep an eye on your ammo and healing supplies, especially before major engagements.
  • Ideal For: Players looking for a balanced experience that combines engaging combat with story progression. This is the recommended setting for most players on their initial journey through the Outer Worlds.

Hard

  • Enemy Health & Damage: Increased. Enemies hit harder and have more health, demanding better combat strategies, optimized builds, and effective use of your companions.
  • Companion Effectiveness: Crucial. Your companions' unique abilities and perks become vital for crowd control, damage output, and tanking.
  • Resource Management: Critical. Ammunition can become scarce, and healing items like Adreno should be conserved for tough fights. Crafting and weapon maintenance are more important.
  • Ideal For: Experienced RPG players or those who enjoy a more challenging combat experience. Expect to utilize all game mechanics, including Tactical Time Dilation (TTD), Flaws, and Perks, to their fullest.

Supernova

  • Enemy Health & Damage: Severely increased. This is the ultimate challenge, turning even common encounters into life-or-death situations. Enemies are aggressive and highly lethal.
  • Key Restrictions & Mechanics:
    • Permadeath for Companions: If a companion falls in combat, they are permanently dead. This adds immense weight to every decision and battle.
    • Saving Restrictions: You can only save your game while on your ship, the Unreliable, or at designated beds in safe zones. This makes exploration and questing much riskier.
    • Hunger, Thirst, and Sleep: You must manage your character's basic needs. Failing to eat, drink, or sleep regularly will incur severe debuffs. Stock up on Saltuna Fission Blocks, Purpleberry Juice, and find beds often.
    • Fast Travel Restrictions: Fast travel is limited, forcing you to traverse environments more carefully and encounter more enemies.
    • Injuries: Taking too much damage can result in lasting injuries that require specific medical items or a visit to a doctor to heal.
  • Ideal For: Players seeking the most immersive and punishing experience The Outer Worlds has to offer. This difficulty requires meticulous planning, optimal character builds, expert combat skills, and a deep understanding of all game systems. Not for the faint of heart!