Ludeon Studios has released RimWorld: Odyssey, a significant new expansion for the popular sci-fi colony simulator. This launch coincides with a free 1.6 update, which is available to all players, including those who only own the base game.
Odyssey represents the sixth major expansion for RimWorld and puts a strong emphasis on exploration. Players gain the ability to construct their own gravship to travel across the planet`s surface and discover new biomes, such as the vibrant glowforest, harsh scarlands, icy glacial plains, and volatile lava fields. These diverse environments introduce unique landmarks like cliffs, fjords, and ancient ruins, providing opportunities to find valuable resources.
Beyond planetary exploration, the gravship allows players to venture into space. Here, they can explore derelict orbital platforms, abandoned satellites, and asteroids to scavenge for materials. However, these space voyages are not without peril, as dangerous competition from space scavengers and hostile mechanoids awaits. Successfully navigating space also requires meticulous preparation of the gravship, including maintaining power supply, ensuring oxygen systems function, and building airlocks to prevent sudden depressurization.
Even if players choose not to purchase the Odyssey expansion, they can still benefit from the free 1.6 update released alongside it. This update brings a wide range of quality-of-life improvements to the base game, including a complete rework of map generation, the addition of flight capabilities for winged animals, and significant performance enhancements resulting in notably faster game launch times. A detailed list of all changes is available in the official patch notes.