Obsidian Entertainment’s sci-fi RPG, The Outer Worlds, has been re-released as The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition for new-gen systems. While fans can enjoy the updated version, the upcoming sequel, The Outer Worlds 2, is expected to take the series to new heights with improved technical capabilities and an expanded audience appeal, thanks to the support of Xbox Game Studios. With the backing of Xbox Game Studios, Obsidian can further develop the IP while retaining the original sci-fi elements that made the first game unique. N-Rays, a fascinating aspect of the game, have captured the attention of many fans.
During the early 20th century, scientists believed in the existence of N-Rays, a type of radiation, but their experimental interpretations were later proven to be incorrect. In contrast, The Outer Worlds universe employs the idea of N-Rays to create a retro-futuristic society that deviates from real-world history.
The first installment of The Outer Worlds series was lauded for its exceptional sci-fi features, particularly N-Rays, which served a more profound purpose than just being a damage type. The game’s lore was heavily influenced by N-Rays, emphasizing the immense differences between the game’s fictional universe and the actual world. Fans invested in the game’s story will appreciate the studio’s meticulous attention to detail.
In the game, N-Rays is a peculiar form of radiation that can penetrate armor, multiply on impact, and inflict severe harm on organic matter, making them a significant feature of the game’s ranged weapons and enhancing the game’s lore. The upcoming sequel has the potential to showcase how science has evolved differently from real-world events, thus expanding the already impressive worldbuilding and bringing even more variety to the game.
The setting of The Outer Worlds 2 is ripe with possibilities for bizarre inventions, drawing inspiration from the earliest findings of modern physics. One of the standout examples is the introduction of N-Rays as a damage type, a unique and fictional concept that does not exist in the real world. In contrast, other damage types like corrosion, physical, and plasma have some basis in reality.
By leaning into the pulp sci-fi themes in the sequel, Obsidian has the potential to craft a more profound and intriguing narrative that will engage players and unravel the mysteries of The Outer Worlds 2. This approach could lead to a more profound understanding of the game’s lore and spark greater interest among gamers.
Including N-Rays in The Outer Worlds, two can add depth to the game’s alternate universe. While a French physicist first proposed the concept of N-Rays in the early 1900s, it was later discredited, and the phenomenon has no scientific basis in reality. By incorporating this fictional form of radiation into the game, Obsidian Entertainment is creating a unique and intriguing sci-fi world that operates under different laws of physics than our own. The new star system in the sequel provides an ideal opportunity to showcase the game’s alt-history elements, including advanced technologies not bound by classical physics. This approach could set The Outer Worlds 2 apart from other RPGs and offer players an immersive and unforgettable gaming experience.
Initially considered to be a scientific explanation for the oddity of objects emitting more light without a corresponding increase in temperature, N-Rays was eventually debunked.
However, in The Outer Worlds, N-Rays are depicted as swirling violet beams with explosive, nebula-like patterns that suggest a connection to cosmic phenomena exploited by weapon manufacturers. The fact that N-Rays is based on a false scientific breakthrough adds an extra layer of intrigue to the game’s worldbuilding. N-Rays may have originated as an experimental accident or a marketing tactic used to sell Halcyon’s proprietary technologies, reflecting the game’s dark humor. This unconventional approach to worldbuilding creates a strong foundation for a science-oriented sequel, with N-Rays as just one example of how Obsidian can explore the game’s unique universe.