Surprise! Seven years after its initial launch—and nearly six months after its sequel arrived—the Outer Worlds is getting grenades. Developer Obsidian confirmed via a detailed post on Steam that they will be pushing updates to the title, finally introducing the explosive throwables that are already a staple in The Outer Worlds 2.

How The Outer Worlds is Getting Grenades and Other Gameplay Fixes

This first modest update serves as a way to test the pipeline and "fix a few issues that are in the game," according to Obsidian. While this initial patch is relatively small, it paves the way for a much larger rollout later this month.

The upcoming larger patch will feature performance fixes, lighting changes, and a "host of other quest and gameplay fixes." Most importantly, this is when the news that the Outer Worlds is getting grenades will officially take effect in the gameplay loop.

Store Changes and Free Upgrades for The Outer Worlds

The second major patch will also trigger significant changes to the game's storefront. Starting May 27, the base edition of The Outer Worlds will be delisted, leaving only the Spacer's Choice Edition available for purchase.

If you already own the base edition, don't worry—Obsidian has assured players that it "won't be going anywhere." However, anyone looking to pick up the game on current-gen systems after May 27 will only have access to the newer edition. To sweeten the deal, owners of the vanilla game on PC (Steam, GOG, or EGS), PS5, or Xbox Series X/S can upgrade to the Spacer's Choice Edition for free between now and May 27.

For those playing on legacy systems, the upgrade process is slightly different:

  • To upgrade from the base game to the Spacer's Choice Edition on Xbox One and PlayStation 4, you must own both the base game and both DLCs.
  • If you meet these requirements, you will not need to use the previously paid upgrade path.
  • The base game and DLCs are also receiving pricing adjustments to $2/99 and $14.99, respectively, on Xbox One and PlayStation 4.

Context for Obsidian's Recent Releases

This surprise update comes at a complex time for the studio. The Outer Worlds 2 underperformed upon release, and Obsidian has confirmed they have no plans to continue the series with a third installment. Additionally, their other recent RPG, Avowed, also missed its targets.

Despite this, Obsidian still has plans for more content within the world of Eora, the setting shared with Pillars of Eternity. On a brighter note, Grounded 2—another 2025 launch—was a significant hit. Notably, Grounded 2 had a much shorter development period of just over two years, compared to the six-plus years required for both Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2.

Full Patch Notes for Update 2.5.7.0

General

  • Companions' status effects are no longer obstructed by their HP bars.
  • Shooting from the Storm Cannon repeatedly at a close target no longer results in severe FPS drops.
  • The heat effect coming out of the Unreliable will no longer stack up each time the player arrives in the ship's proximity.
  • The Font Scaling setting now scales up UI icons appropriately.
  • Fixed "artillery cannon" typo.
  • Fixed "Shipping" typo in Fallbrook.
  • Players can now sleep in either of the two beds when exploring Ash's old Outpost for 'Little Memento' on Monarch.
  • Players are now able to manually save while under the 'Concuss' status effect throughout the title.
  • Fixed an issue with the Super Scoper 3000 zoom where the zoom would not properly display.
  • Felix’s book “Systems and Serfdoms” now appears in his room when acquiring it in Roseway town.
  • The arrow is now greyed out when there are no more options.
  • Status Bar displays all relevant Status Effect icons.
  • The workbench now displays ownership of items when navigating through the workbench during gameplay.
  • The gate will now load correctly while moving from Rizzo’s Distillation Station to the Bridge.
  • The Item repair tutorial will no longer cause a freeze when switching to the inventory tab.
  • SAM’s weapons can no longer be taken and equipped by players.
  • Environment decorations no longer look the same as items the player can pick up.
  • Players no longer become stuck when falling between two crates at the Spaceport.
  • The sights are now centered after modding the Hunting Rifle Hyper with a Funtimes Barrel and a Gyro Sight.
  • Frey's Bar Cart no longer disappears from Unreliable after revisiting Relay GB-23.
  • Mods have correct VFX when inspecting them in the inventory and then viewing them on the ground.
  • The shadows on the cans no longer appear dark when viewing them in the office in Phineas Lab.
  • A companion's armor displays correctly if players wear a different type and modify it in the Workbench during gameplay.
  • All aptitudes are correctly shown being applied when selecting them and viewing the summary screen.
  • Mods display correctly for tinkered Elite Troop Armor.
  • Players will no longer encounter a stuck spot when jumping/crouching into the 2nd floor of the General Store with insufficient Mag-Picks in Edgewater.
  • Fixed a typo with the quest beacon text.
  • Udom Bedford and Vicar Max will now play correct dialogue when attempting to turn in Phineas for the first time.
  • The hacking and picking locks tutorial now triggers correctly when the user has a high lockpick skill during gameplay.
  • Players can no longer get stuck when jumping in between a crate and pipe by the fence at the Geothermal Plant.
  • Fixed an issue with the state of Anton on the Groundbreaker.
  • A Workbench in the Covert Lab correctly unlocks a 'Point of Interest' icon when moving near it.

Design

  • Players will now receive only one +10 from a Bonus Support perk when the companion is in the party.
  • Leveling to multiple of 5 in Player Ship now updates the Companion UI tabs to indicate new Perk point available.
  • Extend-O-Sight properly increases to both Effective and Max Range to 25%.
  • The Paranoid flaw description has been updated to: “Repeatedly getting caught by guards has made you jittery, especially when roaming around Restricted Areas or sneaking.”

Quests

  • Sanjar and Zora are now only present inside the OSI Temple if the Player triggers a truce betwe...