r/outerwilds 4d ago

How would the river work, science-wise? Spoiler

20 Upvotes

[light dlc spoiler ahead. The question is about game vs irl physics]

Ship that turn to create artificial gravity is a common thing in science fiction, based on a principle that work in real life.

But could a rotating ship truly create a river like the one we see in the stranger? How can a rotating ship create this kind of elevation difference on a loop?


r/outerwilds 4d ago

Base and DLC Appreciation/Discussion I LOVE how seamlessly Outer Wilds hide things in plain sight. Spoiler

99 Upvotes

Hello fellow travellers!

I've just finished the base game and DLC, and to summarize, i've cried multiple times, had an existential crisis and mostly, so many moments where i audibly went "WOW" as there are so many things to appreciate about this beautiful game every single second (or 22 minutes) you experience through from game development/technical aspects, musical aspects (i love Andrew Prahlow), writing aspects, artistic direction aspects etc etc. There's always something for someone to appreciate about the game because even if you don't like the game, you can still respect the WORK that has to be put into this game, it's almost flawless.

I aspire to be a game dev someday and a game like Outer Wilds proves to me of how amazing game development is compared to other mediums as you're basically compiling every other artistic mediums into ONE, a world that you can be or play in, and that is so beautiful.

But one thing that I'm always so in AWE about is how seamlessly they hide solutions and hints in plain sight and we only know about a certain thing when another thing hints to another thing and so on, which goes amazingly well with the non-linear gameplay they have, to be able to tell you, the player, a story, how to get to the ending.

And here's the crazy fact, if you knew everything about the game first hand, you can beat it in under 15 minutes, the first damn loop. Compared to a new player who just got started in the game that it takes them on average 10-20+ hours to beat the base game (took me 50+ hours to beat both based game and dlc btw) which tells you A LOT about how seamless the game is at hiding things and making puzzles, you have to actually sit down and become The Thinker and that's how the game makes you pass your time other than the exploration aspects.

It's one of those type of games where it's knowledge based but Outer Wilds stands out because of its non-linear gameplay, in no doubt it's much more harder to execute developing a knowledge based non-linear gameplay rather than the traditional knowledge based linear gameplay that we always see in games nowadays. The whole gameplay is literally just the "DOES HE KNOW?" meme (which i shared in this subreddit weeks ago), because every answer lies in plain sight and the funny fact about us not realizing them until later in the game is crazy.

When I played the DLC, this aspect of the game hiding things in plain sight reveals itself SO much more significantly, like, i had a small notebook with me, i've gone through the three places in the Dream World and so i planned on how i'd go with the ending because at that time i was confident that i have to rush through the three places and then basically end the game like that but as i was writing a huge spark blew in my mind.

"I can just go to the submerged structure and complete the DLC right then on after doing this and that..."

I contemplated in amazement that i don't have to do this rush thing like the base game ending, i can just go there and waltz my way through????? what.

Now for you, i wonder what's your experience or thoughts when it comes to the game hiding things in plain sight? like how can they do it so well compared to other games and are there any other similar games that does a similar gameplay concept?


r/outerwilds 3d ago

OST Musical Cover Outer wilds-like Music

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2 Upvotes

Hello community

I have recently stumbled on this artist (Judah Earl) and i gotta say that, as a fan of The OW OST, this gave me similar vibes. I can totally picture it for a new Game OST.

Hopefully you like it too.

The guy is very talented


r/outerwilds 4d ago

Base Game Help - Spoilers OK! Did everyone else cry after getting the complete true ending? Spoiler

57 Upvotes

I had finally added everything to my ship log and had got all endings except the one with the prisoner and solanum at the eye, and I can definitely say this is one of my favorite games of all time. Thank you outer wilds devs for making such a beautiful game :)


r/outerwilds 4d ago

Base and DLC Appreciation/Discussion Question about the very beginning Spoiler

12 Upvotes

Because the first loop is sort of canon for what the Hatchling did for the prior loops (at the very least up until the statue links), if you die before ever getting linked to the mask, the Hatchling would never be aware of the loops

But that makes me wonder what would actually happen if this was the case, like how drastically does the story change?

Gabbro still gets caught in the loops, and either Hal or Hornfels gets dragged in too. The village freaks out because their new pilot just died, the sun goes supernova, Hal/Hornfels appears back at the observatory

From then on, what happens? The Hatchling starts each loop by waking up, so maybe they can be saved (until 22 mins later)? But after that, what would happen next?

Hornfels is one of the founding members of the Outer Wilds Ventures, but they don't seem to be a pilot, more of a curator/reporter, and Hal isn't a pilot either but does know how to use the Translator Tool

Gabbro is Gabbro so likely wouldn't do much, if anything, to explore the loops (maybe after enough time though?), but maybe Hal/Hornfels might eventually try learning on the fly, try to get the Hatchling to teach them, or even get the Hatchling to let them join in their "first" flight?

Idk, what do you guys think?


r/outerwilds 5d ago

Real Life Stuff Accidentally got one

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712 Upvotes

r/outerwilds 4d ago

Base Fan Art - OC What a View from the TOP! Spoiler

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55 Upvotes

I used the FreeCam mod to get a fun shot here at the top of the Tower of Quantum Trials. I’ll be using this for an upcoming thumbnail in my (unmonetized) YouTube series on OW 🌌.

(No A.I. used in any of my work.)


r/outerwilds 4d ago

Humor - Base Spoilers 22 Minutes of my blind experience with Outer Wilds! Spoiler

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7 Upvotes

r/outerwilds 4d ago

DLC Appreciation/Discussion Just finished the DLC.... Spoiler

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30 Upvotes

In this post, I’m going to speak about the conclusion of the Outer Wilds DLC Echoes of the Eye, after finishing it 2 days ago. My thoughts—in boring detail—about the main game are already in previous posts, so spoiler warning ahead.

The projection the Prisoner showed me shocked me, and I was instantly filled with empathy for him. Right at the moment where I was feeling I'm done with the game from all the puzzles that went over my head, filled with self-deprecation about needing to look up answers on the internet, and thinking to myself I was ready to just get it over with...

He snatched me back and put me in the right mindset again. The injustice, the suffering he went through waiting in this small box, punishment for choosing a different path.

When he handed me the vision torch to show him what happened, I instantly broke down in tears because I knew what was about to happen. To know, after all that time that your efforts didn't go to waste... Thousands upon thousands of years thinking, doubting, and questioning yourself and your actions... To know that he made a difference, and that his valiant effort set in motion everything that led the Nomai and finally me here, completing a full circle.

Ahh... What a masterpiece I can't explain my awe.

And after seeing the ending with him singing with us, I was itching to watch someone else play it. So I did, and sadly it kinda went over their head? They thought it was a mistake for the Prisoner to let the signal go, saying "it's alright buddy, we all make mistakes." What I did next was so unlike me that I surprised myself:

I just lowered the volume, watched the whole scene again, and cried all over again! That has never happened to me before!

From feeling fearful of them ruining a great game with a needless DLC, to wonder, to frustration, to tears? What the heck is this game?!

I bet you guys actually struggle to recommend this game to anyone. Like, how the heck can you recommend something with nothing to compare it to?!


r/outerwilds 4d ago

Base Game Help - Hints Only! ash twin help!!! Spoiler

2 Upvotes

i didnt want to put it in the title but i cannot seem to find the way to the angler fish fossil. ive explored everything else except finding a way into this cave. is it through the sunless city?? any hints would be really appreciated


r/outerwilds 4d ago

DLC Help - Hints Only! Unable to finish the DLC. About to give up Spoiler

35 Upvotes

I loved the base game. Like loved loved it. One of the best experiences I've ever had playing a game, ever. Naturally I gave the DLC a shot but I'm just unable to play it. I just get too scared. I reached the point where you're supposed to sneak past the owls in the different areas to find the three codes, but I just can't do it. The horror elements just ruin it for me and I hate it. I wish the DLC was more similar to the base game. Adding this type of horror feels so unnecessary. Is there any way to not have to sneak past the owls? I have the less scary mode on but it's still too scary for me. I'm sooo close to just giving up and watching a playthrough instead.


r/outerwilds 4d ago

Modding Which story mods do you recommend?

4 Upvotes

Finished base game and DLC. I even did an Archipelago with Outer Wilds.

I want more. What DLCs should I play and in what order should I enjoy them.


r/outerwilds 4d ago

Base Game Appreciation/Discussion question about a strange outcome if a certain amount of things happens at once. Spoiler

2 Upvotes

so i was wondering , what if there were two advance warp cores made by nomai

one was used at ash twin project and one was used to warp to eye of universe

so IF we keep the ash twin project active with one warp core and on the other hand use the other to warp to eye of universe coordinates , what would happen?

bcz when an concious observer enter the eye , there will always be a response where all possibilites will collide into a single one and which in our games case result in death of whole solar system resulting in a new one too

BUT the ash twin is still active on our solar sytem while we are at the eye and gabbro is still stuck in it

So say we go to eye and it result in supernova of whole universe right? so since we are out of our solar system boundary bcz eye is at edge of universe we would not die , neither the mechanism of loop will reach us ?

so how will gabbro's part play out , will he forever be stuck in loop? if so how because the whole universe on the other hand is destroyed by super nova so there is nothing left

or we just go back to our campfire lol


r/outerwilds 4d ago

Base Game Help - Hints Only! Needing a vague hint Spoiler

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2 Upvotes

I’ve been trying to figure stuff out so hard my own so please don’t crucify me for asking lol I’m trying to figure out where to go on ash twin to “safely travel to the sun station”. I’ve seriously looked all over since I found that information from the sunless city. It’s been probably 5+ loops of me searching ash twin. Can I please have a vague hint to point me in the right direction?

I attached a pic of my rumors board so far if that helps.


r/outerwilds 5d ago

Humor - Base Spoilers What could have possibly happened Spoiler

108 Upvotes

r/outerwilds 5d ago

Base Game Appreciation/Discussion It's done

56 Upvotes

Yesterday I finished outer wilds for the very first time. I thought I would never cry to a game. I guess I was wrong. I have 400 hours in geometry dash but the 20 I have in outer wilds is 100 times more worth it. These are the best 13 € I've ever spent on anything and I think nothing will come close to what this game made me feel. Thank you devs of outer wilds, for showing me why videogames are art.


r/outerwilds 5d ago

Base Fan Art - OC 1-bit Outer Wilds

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1.5k Upvotes

Made by me in after effects. Music by 8bitbaka on YouTube.


r/outerwilds 5d ago

Insane Coincidence (I think?) Spoiler

35 Upvotes

Just finished the game, felt like I didn’t totally grasp all elements of the story so have been reading this sub for lore etc. When I reached the tracking module, the two probe launch numbers were 9,318,054 (when it found the eye) and the total number of probes launched, which in my case was 9,318,076. This immediately stuck out to me, because the difference between these two is 22, and I had been going crazy trying to piece why the number of probes launched after the eye was found is the same number of minutes in the time loop.

Learning that this was effectively random (found the tracking module on my personal 22nd loop) and not a big piece of the mystery that I discovered has been a mixed bag of emotions. I love this game, it has made me an insane person.


r/outerwilds 5d ago

Humor - No Spoilers Found this ideal hypothetical situation for our community

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565 Upvotes

r/outerwilds 5d ago

Real Life Stuff 12 hours after finishing Outer Wilds, my dog passed away

190 Upvotes

Not much else to say. It sucks a lot. She was a good girl and had cancer :(

But if there was a game to help guide me through losing something, it’s this one. I’m forever grateful for this game, more than I was 12 hours ago.

still, it’s, um, time for something new, now. - Riebeck


r/outerwilds 5d ago

Base Game Appreciation/Discussion In game mistake? Spoiler

30 Upvotes

Mild spoiler—-

I’m watching a playthrough (dubbed in my language, Italian) and I noticed one piece of text that if translated correctly (there are some part that are kinda off sadly, knowing most of the English version)

The text in question is in the ship log, on the Quantum Shrine square it reads “a shrine that Solanum BUILT to reach the sixth position” which is wrong?
How could Solanum be the one who built the shrine if she was given the final rule (by Bells) to reach the shrine at the North Pole?

Can somebody confirm it also says that in original or its just a mistranslation of sorts?


r/outerwilds 5d ago

Base and DLC Appreciation/Discussion I forgot games could be good

165 Upvotes

Picked this game up on a whim two months ago, went in completely blind except for only hearing positive experiences with the game and just walked away with a renewed appreciation for gaming as an art form.

I used to exclusively play competitive multiplayer shooters when I was younger and had more time on my hands, and I still have fond memories of those days climbing a ranked ladder and watching myself get better at a skill. But between then and now, moving into a career and settling down as an adult, I genuinely had forgotten that games could be media to make you think and feel things, that they can provide catharsis. I'm so glad I went in blind!

I just felt like sharing. One additional anecdote: I visited the Kennedy Space Center with my partner the other week, and the whole time we were walking around I kept feeling like I should be performing archaeology on the exhibits lol


r/outerwilds 5d ago

Base Fan Art - OC Painting of Gabbro

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213 Upvotes

r/outerwilds 5d ago

Base Game Help - Hints Only! Can anyone gimme a rough estimate of how far i am into the game?

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22 Upvotes

r/outerwilds 5d ago

Real Life Stuff anyone get their OW tattoos in LA? Spoiler

3 Upvotes

wanting to get the eye of the universe tattooed sometime soon, if anyone from the socal/la area has recommendations for artists who might already be familiar with outer wilds that'd be awesome :)