Rimworld Odyssey's new animals will change everything, from food to combat

Rimworld Odyssey is almost upon us, and it's about to change the colony sim's world entirely. The new expansion for one of the most flowing, systemic strategy games on Steam introduces more than 40 animals, ranging from dangerous threats to those that can be tamed, used to help with work, or even raised as faithful bodyguards. While the introduction of a gravship capable of heading out into space is certainly the most dramatic change, these creatures could end up altering your experience even more.

New Rimworld DLC Odyssey introduces a wealth of extra biomes to Ludeon Studios' masterful colony sim, a powerhouse we've long rated among the best management games. It also gives you your very own gravship, allowing you to finally break free from the planet's orbit and explore satellites, orbital wrecks, and asteroids in search of valuable resources and additional potential base locations. But Ludeon has quietly saved perhaps its most significant introduction for last; a vast spread of additional animals, along with fresh ways to train them.

Kicking off the list of more than 40 additions are flying birds. Pink flamingos and herons can be found wading around water, while macaws flit through the jungle. The cute quails might prove too tempting a snack for your colonists to ignore, but a murder of manhunter crows could put you on the back foot if they decide your colony looks like a lunchbox. Head out to the coast and you'll encounter the likes of otters, walruses, seals, sea lions, and sea turtles. Delve into swamps, and colossus toads and bullfrogs await. Visit a beach, and spot hermit crabs and stone crabs.

Porcupines might be rather small, but they can leave you with a nasty injury if you upset one. Toxic areas such as the new Scarlands play home to bog hounds, a pack-hunting breed of dogs that's very much unaccustomed to human company, and will rush to one another's defense. Even more threatening are river-dwelling hippos, or the megafauna of the Glacial Plains; mastodons, greatwolves, and scimitar cats are deadly, but could become valuable companions, or a rather hefty supply of meats and furs.

Few creatures brave the hostile Lava Fields, but you will find the giant lava snail, which is a chunky and helpfully slow-moving source of food. Even more elusive are legendary creatures, typically encountered through specific quests. The Alpha Thrumbo is the most impressive instance of Rimword's iconic creatures, while the Hive Queen is found deep underground and will fend you off with sludge, fast-hatching egg sacs, and flying locusts. Both offer priceless resources, but you could also try to win them to your side.

Odyssey greatly expands the ways animals can be trained to benefit your colony. Cats and pandas can offer comfort and lift the mood, pigs and raccoons can be trained to forage for resources and treats, clawed creatures can be taught to dig at specific mining spots, and earning the trust of predators such as wolves, bears, or big cats allows you to sic them on specific targets when fights break out. Mastodons and elephants, meanwhile, can learn the 'war trumpet,' a terrifying bellow capable of disorienting nearby foes.

Take this one step further with the Alpha Thrumbo's 'terror roar,' which will cause enemies to flee in panic. Manage to bring the Hive Queen to your side, and her acidic spew and aggressive larvae will prove a valuable tool. Even animals that might not initially respond to training can be taught to do so using a sentience catalyst, giving them a brain-boosting injection of ultratech mechanites.

With Odyssey, Ludeon is also introducing fishing, something we've long had to turn to the best Rimworld mods for. This reliable source of food is safer than hunting and available year-round, making it hugely beneficial in winter when crops don't grow and wildlife is scarce. Depending on where you are, you'll encounter the likes of marlin and tuna in the ocean, salmon and bass from lakes, and piranhas in tropical rivers. Your colonists can even jump into the water themselves and swim for fun and relaxation.

Along with providing a valuable food source that can be used for high-quality meals, fish can also be traded with passing caravans. Of course, it's not all plain sailing. Fish responsibly, or you might suddenly find your bounteous lake has run dry. You'll also want to keep an eye on the water for signs of gill rot, a parasitic fungus that could wipe out an aquatic population overnight if left unchecked.

Rimworld Odyssey launches Friday July 11. You can wishlist it here if you want to be sent a notification when it's available to buy. You'll also find the base game at a 20% discount through Thursday July 10 if you've yet to give it a try.

If you simply can't wait that long, we've picked out the best games like Rimworld for more such colony sims and strategy games.

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