For gamers running aging hardware, watching modern game trailers can often feel like a countdown to an inevitable GPU meltdown. The constant push for hyper-realistic lighting and complex physics makes it difficult to know if your current rig can actually handle the next big release. However, players with less-than-ideal setups can breathe a sigh of relief regarding Outward 2, as the upcoming survival RPG is surprisingly accessible across various hardware tiers.
Outward 2 Performance and "Potato" Settings
Nine Dots is launching their highly anticipated sequel in early access on July 17, and it seems they have prioritized optimization. In a recent promotional video featuring a literal talking potato, the developers demonstrated that the game remains playable even on extremely low-end hardware.
Interestingly, "Potato" isn't just a slang term used by the community; it is an actual quality setting within the game menu. This ensures that players with older components can still experience the world without needing a high-end rig.
The performance breakdown for the game is as follows:
- Max Settings: Requires at least a GeForce RTX 4080 and 32 GB of RAM.
- Medium Settings: Runs on a GTX 3060 with 16 GB of RAM.
- Potato Settings: Functional on a GTX 750 TI with 8 GB of RAM.
Even at these ultra-minimum settings, the game maintains a target of 30 FPS and retains a decent visual standard, which is a massive win for budget-conscious gamers.
System Requirements for Outward 2
While knowing the game can run on a "potato" is comforting, it is important to check the official specifications before launch day. Here are the complete system requirements provided by Nine Dots Studio:
Minimum Requirements:
- OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i5-4460 / AMD Ryzen 3 1200
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti / AMD Radeon RX 560
- DirectX: Version 11
Recommended Requirements:
- OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i7-8700K / AMD Ryzen 5 3600
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 / AMD Radeon RX 580
- DirectX: Version 12
The original Outward was beloved for its deep, unforgiving survival mechanics that made every magical spell and long-distance journey feel like a high-stakes gamble. If Nine Dots carries that same DNA into the sequel, the accessibility of these settings will make the experience available to a much wider audience.
If you are looking to jump in early, keep an eye out for a closed beta scheduled to begin on May 26. While specific entry details haven't been released yet, it offers a chance to test the survival RPG mechanics before the full early access launch in July.