What is No Man’s Sky?
No Man’s Sky is a science fiction video game made by Hello Games, a British game company helmed by Sean Murray. It uses procedural generation to simulate its colossal cosmic sandbox. Although the default modifiers pace the story and game-play progression the best, No Man’s Sky offers the tools to tailor an experience just right for you. You can play in one of 2 overarching modes: Survival and Creative. After which you can tweak specific values. Survival will provide a more authentic experience. Since Creative will simply give you instant access to all resources, equipment, and technology. The mode is there only for the sake of players who want to build structures without the restriction of finite materials.
Customizable Player Experience
For the sake of evaluating the game in its forte, this review will surround the basic survival mode without extra alterations. Once you actually make a new game you will awaken on a randomly selected planet of approximately 18 quintillion. The tutorial teaches you the basic necessities of maintaining your suit equipment such as your life support and mining beam as well as your ship fuel. The lessons are very thorough, though they serve as a double-edged sword. The methodical instruction all but eliminates the possibility of misunderstanding or misinterpretation. However, this simultaneously will annoy players who do not need that level exposition, but will be forced to endure it regardless. You can continue to receive tips and extra help after the tutorial, however it is entirely optional.
Unique Planet Characteristics
There are vastly different planet biomes that make each world unique. You can land on a “Paradise Planet” that has a breathable atmosphere, greatly reducing the rate at which your life support drains, and in some cases completely eliminating that drain. This type of planet typically has flourishing plant and animal life with luscious trees and passive fauna. There exists a polar opposite of this planet type referred to as “Barren Planets” or “Dead Planets”. These planets often have blasted atmospheres, meaning they will drain the entirety of your life support in a mere couple of minutes after landing on them. Additionally, these planets have nearly non-existent fauna or flora, so there are minimal options to replenish on the fly if you don’t already have those consumables on hand.
Fulfilling Game-play Loop
No Man’s Sky has a satisfactory progression system. As you continue to explore new worlds; and by extension new resources; you will unlock many interesting pieces of equipment. These are split into two categories: technology and upgrade modules. Technology will enable new functionalities and game-play mechanics. Some examples are the jet-pack that allows you bound big distances at once and reach previously unattainable heights & locations, or the advanced mining beam that allows mining of denser and more advanced resources in addition to extracting a larger amount of a resource when mining it. Unlike technology, upgrade modules do not enable new mechanics, but instead serve as passive stat buffs to your installed technology. Such as decreasing heat accretion or increasing damage by the mining tool and weapons or decreasing ship fuel consumption allowing more launches before having to refuel. Your exploration endeavors feel properly rewarded.
Content Is Not Repetitive
There is much more to find than just the planets themselves. Along with the several curiosities found on planet surfaces, including, but not limited to: crashed freighters that can be scavenged for valuable materials or abandoned star-ships that can be repaired & claimed as your own. There are also deep-space enigmas called “anomalies,” which are random encounters.
Immersive Atmosphere
The soundtrack enhances the already amazing experience. There is a score for minor exploration strides like landing on a previously undiscovered planet or upon completing a challenge from the game’s “milestone” achievement system.
Similar Destinations, Different Journeys
In summary, No Man’s Sky puts the player on an enigmatic and extraterrestrial journey through the stars. The player is left with a sense of fulfillment with every step you take. Playthroughs are not diverse in the technology you can obtain, but instead it is how that technology is used, and where and what you will do with that technology. How the player will be remembered by the galactic communities. Will you be the savior that cleanses the universe of crime? Will you be an adventurous trader with stock containing the most rare oddities and trinkets? Will you be resented as a highly dangerous pirate that plunders even the most secure goods and valuables. How the player will embed their name in history molds the experience. Not everyone will enjoy their experience for the same reason as others. That is what makes the game legendary.
