A recent update has brought exciting improvements to the Switch edition of Outer Wilds, introducing enhanced visuals, performance upgrades, and bug fixes. This marks the second update for the game on the Switch since its launch.
When Outer Wilds was announced for the Switch last November, it sparked enthusiasm among Nintendo fans. Despite some graphical compromises upon its release, particularly due to the Switch's hardware limitations, the latest update has addressed several visual shortcomings, though the changes are not drastic.
The April 22 update for Outer Wilds on the Switch focuses on enhancing six key visual elements, such as the water on Giant's Deep, murals in the Old Settlement, holograms on Giant's Deep and the Vessel, and light resolution in Dark Bramble's fog. Moreover, the update tackles various bugs, including issues like infinite load screens and collisions, while also improving stability and performance during extended gameplay sessions.
The patch not only fixes numerous bugs but also enhances the overall immersive experience of this atmospheric indie game. From preventing the Nomai shuttle from floating away on Ember Twin to correcting music glitches, the update ensures a smoother gameplay experience.
While the next update's release date remains unconfirmed, players can indulge in Outer Wilds' hidden secrets scattered across its universe, offering a delightful exploration experience. PC users, in particular, can further elevate their gaming experience with various mods, although these are not accessible to Xbox, PlayStation, or Switch players.
Detailed Patch Notes for the April 22 Update
Gameplay
- Corrected music issues during dark sequences in Echoes of the Eye
- Fixed getting stuck viewing slide reels without button prompts in Echoes of the Eye
- Prevented the Nomai shuttle from drifting off on Ember Twin
- Ensured scouts cannot photograph characters prematurely
- Addressed out-of-order slide reel images in Echoes of the Eye
- Various collision fixes
Art & Visuals
- Enhanced hologram animations on Giant's Deep
- Fixed hologram glitches in the Orbital Probe Canon
- Corrected environmental animations in Echoes of the Eye
- Improved resolution of specific elements
- Upgraded water visuals on Giant's Deep
- Increased mural resolution in the Old Settlement
- Enhanced hologram resolution in the Vessel
- Improved light resolution in Dark Bramble's fog
- Resolved lighting issues during photography in Dark Bramble
- Refined ship cockpit damage visuals
- Fixed color discrepancies of Nomai platforms
- Rectified assets appearing incorrectly
- Various texture and material fixes
- Lighting adjustments and minor visual corrections
Tech
- Enhanced asset loading and unloading, particularly in Echoes of the Eye, to prevent white areas and collision issues
- Resolved infinite load screen when quitting to the main menu in Echoes of the Eye
- Fixed frozen image issue at the end of Echoes of the Eye
- Stability improvements for extended play sessions
- Performance enhancements
UI
- Fixed rare problem of Scout's photos not displaying