The Outer Worlds 2: Rift Anomaly Locations & Rewards Guide
The vast and corporate-controlled expanse of the galaxy is looking stranger than ever. As spacers begin their journey in The Outer Worlds 2, they'll quickly discover that the new star system is plagued by bizarre, shimmering tears in the fabric of reality. These "Rift Anomalies" are a core new mystery, and our comprehensive guide is here to explain what they are, how to deal with them, and what fantastic rewards await those brave enough to study them.
From the sun-scorched deserts of one world to the neon-drenched corridors of another, you're bound to stumble upon these strange phenomena. At first glance, they appear as twisted, reddish pockets of displaced reality, distorting the air around them like a heat haze. Be warned: approaching these anomalies unprepared is a fatal mistake. Your character will be instantly disintegrated, a grim lesson in the dangers of tampering with the unknown.
What Are Rift Anomalies in The Outer Worlds 2?
Rift Anomalies are one of the central plot devices and a major new gameplay mechanic in The Outer Worlds 2. These strange tears in spacetime are a direct consequence of the colony's reliance on faster-than-light travel. Lore discovered early in the game suggests these rifts were created by the widespread and perhaps unstable use of corporate Skip Drives, punching holes in the universe with every jump.
Visually, they are unmistakable. You'll see a pocket of space where the world looks warped, with objects and light bending unnaturally around a shimmering, reddish core. Getting too close causes visual and auditory distortion, a final warning before you’re turned into cosmic dust. They are not just environmental hazards; they are puzzles to be solved and mysteries to be unraveled, each one holding a potential clue to the overarching narrative.
How to Get the Prototype Rift Device
To safely approach and interact with these dangerous anomalies, you’ll need a special piece of equipment. Early in the main story quest, you'll be tasked with tracking down a brilliant but eccentric scientist who was studying the phenomena. This questline will ultimately lead you to acquire the Prototype Rift Device, a nifty gadget that can also be referred to as the Rift Anomaly Modulator.
This device, once equipped, stabilizes the area immediately around a Rift Anomaly, allowing you to approach it without taking damage. When you get close enough, a new interaction prompt will appear, letting you "scan" or "collapse" the rift. Using the device is the key to not only progressing the main story but also to unlocking some of the game's best secrets and rewards. You cannot miss obtaining it if you follow the main quest, so don't worry about being unable to find it.
Rift Anomaly Locations and Rewards
Finding every Rift Anomaly is a significant undertaking, tied to a specific Trophy and Achievement for the completionists out there. While we are still charting every corner of the star system, here are the general locations of the first few anomalies you can find and the types of rewards you can expect.
- Early Game Anomalies: You will find your first few anomalies on the starting planets as part of the main quest that grants you the Prototype Rift Device. These serve as a tutorial, teaching you the mechanics of scanning them.
- Rewards for Scanning: Each successfully scanned anomaly grants a significant amount of experience points. More importantly, scanning them often yields unique rewards that you can't find anywhere else.
The rewards for closing rifts fall into several exciting categories:
- Unique Science Weapons: Be on the lookout for special, reality-bending Science Weapons. These might include a pistol that fires projectiles that temporarily freeze enemies in a time bubble or a melee weapon that phases through enemy armor.
- Rare Crafting Materials: Collapsing a rift leaves behind exotic particles and components. These are high-end materials used for upgrading your gear and installing powerful, top-tier modifications.
- Lore and Story Clues: Each anomaly contains a data-fragment or a ghostly echo of the past. Collecting these will piece together the hidden history of the star system, the corporation that ruined it, and the truth behind the failing Skip Drives.
- Perk Points: Certain milestone anomalies, such as the first one you close on a new planet, may grant you an extra Perk Point to spend on your character's development, making them well worth seeking out.
We are constantly exploring and will update our guides as we pinpoint the exact location of every single Rift Anomaly in The Outer Worlds 2.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What happens if I approach a Rift Anomaly without the Prototype Rift Device? You will be instantly eliminated. The screen will warp violently, and your character will disintegrate. The game treats it as an environmental hazard, so be sure to acquire the device before you go anomaly hunting.
Can you fight or destroy the Rift Anomalies? No, you cannot damage them with conventional weapons. The only way to interact with and ultimately close them is by using the scan function of the Rift Anomaly Modulator once you get close enough.
How many Rift Anomalies are in The Outer Worlds 2? The exact number is still being confirmed, but based on the associated Trophy/Achievement list, players will need to find and scan several dozen scattered across all the planets in the game to achieve 100% completion.