You spent hours perfecting your character’s appearance in The Outer Worlds 2, choosing every detail from hairstyle to facial features. But five minutes into the game, a bulky helmet covers all your hard work! The good news is that you don’t have to choose between style and stats. The Outer Worlds 2 includes a simple toggle that lets you hide your helmet while keeping all its protective benefits. This guide will show you exactly how to hide your helmet and manage companion helmet visibility, so you can enjoy both fashion and function in your space adventure.
Key Takeaways
- Hide your helmet through Settings → Gameplay → General → Show Player Helmet → Hide
- Companion helmets have three options: Default (visible while exploring, hidden on ship), Always On, or Always Off
- Hiding helmets is purely cosmetic and doesn’t affect stats or protection bonuses
- The feature works in both first-person and third-person camera modes
- You can verify helmet visibility through the inventory screen or idle camera view
How to Hide Your Helmet in The Outer Worlds 2
Hiding your helmet in The Outer Worlds 2 is a straightforward process that takes just a few seconds. The developers at Obsidian Entertainment understood that players want to see their character’s face, especially with the new third-person perspective. Here’s exactly how to do it:
- Pause the game to bring up the main menu
- Go to Settings from the menu options
- Navigate to the Gameplay tab under the General section
- Find the “Show Player Helmet” option in the list
- Toggle it to “Hide” to make your helmet invisible
Once you’ve made this change, your character’s headgear will no longer appear during normal gameplay or cutscenes. The best part? You keep all the armor rating and statistical bonuses from your equipped helmet. This The Outer Worlds 2 helmet toggle feature is perfect for players who want to maintain their character’s unique appearance without sacrificing gameplay advantages.
To confirm that the setting worked, you can either check your character model in the inventory screen or use the idle camera option to see your character from a third-person view. If you don’t see the helmet but it’s still equipped in your inventory, the setting is working correctly.
How to Manage Companion Helmet Appearance?
The Outer Worlds 2 doesn’t just let you control your own helmet visibility, it also gives you options for your companions. Your companions are a big part of the game experience, and being able to see their faces during conversations and combat adds to the storytelling. Here’s how to manage The Outer Worlds 2 companion helmet settings:
- Go to Settings → Gameplay → General (same menu as before)
- Look for “Show Companion Helmets” in the options list
- Choose from three settings:
- Default: Helmets are visible while exploring dangerous areas but automatically hidden in safe zones like your ship
- Always On: Companion helmets are always visible, even in safe areas
- Always Off: Companion helmets are always hidden, regardless of location
The Default setting offers a nice balance, showing helmets when they make sense for protection while letting you see your companions’ faces during downtime on your ship. If you prefer to always see their expressions, choose Always Off. For a consistent armored look, select Always On.
Just like with your character, these The Outer Worlds 2 companion appearance settings are purely visual. Your companions retain all defensive bonuses and statistical benefits from their equipped helmets, even when they’re not visible. This means you can optimize their gear for stats without worrying about ruining their visual design.
Why Should You Hide Your Helmet in The Outer Worlds 2?
There are several good reasons to take advantage of the helmet hiding feature in The Outer Worlds 2. It’s not just about vanity, though that’s certainly part of it! Here are the main benefits:
Aesthetic Freedom: The Outer Worlds 2 character customization system is detailed and robust. When you spend time creating the perfect look for your character, it’s frustrating to have it hidden under a helmet. Hiding your helmet lets you showcase your character’s unique appearance, from their hairstyle to their facial features, while still benefiting from the best protective gear you find.
Improved Visibility: Some helmets in the game are quite large and can obstruct your view of the game world. This is especially noticeable in the new third-person mode, where a bulky helmet might take up a significant portion of your screen. Hiding your helmet gives you a clearer view of your surroundings and the UI elements.
Better Storytelling: The Outer Worlds 2 is a story-rich RPG with lots of dialogue and character interactions. Seeing your character’s face during these moments makes the experience more immersive and personal. The same goes for your companions, their facial expressions and reactions add depth to the storytelling.
Role-Playing Enhancement: If you’re into role-playing, you might want your character to have a specific look that doesn’t include a helmet. Maybe you’re playing a charismatic leader who needs to be face-to-face with people, or perhaps you just prefer the aesthetic of your character without headgear. The The Outer Worlds 2 armor visibility feature gives you this flexibility.
Common Issues When Hiding Helmets?
While the helmet hiding feature in The Outer Worlds 2 is generally straightforward, some players encounter issues. Here are solutions to common problems:
The Toggle Isn’t Working: If you’ve set “Show Player Helmet” to “Hide” but still see your helmet, try these fixes:
- Make sure you’ve saved the settings before exiting the menu
- Restart the game to ensure the setting takes effect
- Check if you’re wearing a special helmet that might override the setting (some unique items have different rules)
- Update your game to the latest version, as bugs in earlier releases might affect this feature
Companion Helmets Won’t Hide: If your companions’ helmets remain visible despite changing the setting:
- Verify you’ve selected the correct option in the companion helmet settings
- Remember that some companions might have story-related helmets that can’t be hidden
- Try toggling between different companion helmet options to reset the setting
- Check if the companion is wearing their default gear, which sometimes has different visibility rules
Settings Keep Resetting: If your helmet visibility settings don’t save:
- Ensure your game has proper write permissions on your device
- Check for cloud save conflicts if you’re playing on multiple platforms
- Verify your game installation isn’t corrupted (you might need to reinstall if the problem persists)
These The Outer Worlds 2 gameplay settings are designed to be user-friendly, but occasional glitches can occur. Most issues are resolved with a simple restart or game update.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anyone found a way to hide helmets in The Outer Worlds 2?
Yes, hiding helmets in The Outer Worlds 2 is easy and built into the game. Simply go to Settings, then click on the Gameplay tab under General. Look for the “Show Player Helmet” option and change it to “Hide.” This will make your helmet invisible while keeping all its stat bonuses. The feature works for both your character and your companions, with separate settings for each. Many players were happy to discover this option, as it lets them enjoy their character customization efforts without sacrificing gameplay advantages.
How to remove companion helmet when it looks like it’s stuck on?
Companion helmets in The Outer Worlds 2 can’t be removed entirely, but you can hide them visually. Go to Settings → Gameplay → General and find the “Show Companion Helmets” option. You can choose between Default (helmets show during exploration but hide on your ship), Always On, or Always Off. If a companion’s helmet appears stuck, try cycling through these options or restarting the game. Remember that some story-related helmets might have different rules, but most companion headgear can be hidden using these The Outer Worlds 2 companion appearance settings.
Why is disabling the ‘show helmet’ option not working for me?
If the helmet toggle isn’t working, first ensure you’ve saved the settings after making changes. Try restarting the game to apply the new setting. Some unique or quest-related helmets might override the visibility setting, so check if you’re wearing special gear. Also, make sure your game is updated to the latest version, as early release bugs might have affected this feature. If the problem persists, check your game installation files for corruption or try reinstalling the game. The The Outer Worlds 2 visual options should work for most standard helmets.
Can you hide companion armor in addition to helmets?
Currently, The Outer Worlds 2 only allows you to hide helmets for both your character and companions. There isn’t a general “hide armor” option for other equipment pieces like chest plates, gauntlets, or boots. The game focuses on helmet visibility because headgear most significantly impacts character appearance and facial visibility during conversations. While many players have requested a more comprehensive transmog or hide armor system, the current The Outer Worlds 2 character customization options are limited to helmet toggles and the actual gear you equip.
Does hiding helmets affect character stats or protection?
No, hiding helmets in The Outer Worlds 2 is purely cosmetic and doesn’t affect your character’s stats or protection in any way. When you toggle the “Show Player Helmet” option to “Hide,” your character still receives all the armor rating, bonuses, and special effects from the equipped helmet. The same applies to companions, their defensive stats remain unchanged regardless of helmet visibility. This system lets you optimize your gear for maximum protection while maintaining the aesthetic you want. It’s one of the best The Outer Worlds 2 armor visibility features for players who care about both fashion and function.
Conclusion
The ability to hide your helmet in The Outer Worlds 2 is a simple yet powerful feature that enhances your gaming experience. By navigating to Settings → Gameplay → General, you can easily control both your character’s and your companions’ helmet visibility without sacrificing any of the protective benefits. Whether you’re passionate about character customization, want clearer visibility in third-person mode, or simply prefer to see your character’s face during story moments, these settings give you complete control over your visual experience.
Remember that all The Outer Worlds 2 gameplay settings are designed to be reversible, so feel free to experiment with different options to find what works best for you. The Default setting for companion helmets offers a nice balance, but you might prefer Always Off if you want to see their faces at all times.
Now that you know how to hide your helmet in The Outer Worlds 2, you can adventure through the cosmos in style while staying protected. Take some time to explore other customization options and settings to make your journey through Halcyon truly your own. For more gaming guides and tips, check out our other articles on game settings optimization and character customization.
