In summer, the ambitious space simulation No Man’s Sky will be released for PC and PS4. We take a look at what to expect in this online game.
No Man’s Sky is an upcoming adventure survival space simulation developed and published by indie studio Hello Games. According to the developers, the game focuses on “discovery and survival in an infinitely procedurally generated galaxy.“
A huge online game world awaits you
There is often discussion about map size in upcoming games. Especially in MMOs, like The Division, players worry in advance if the game will provide enough space to freely explore. In No Man’s Sky, you definitely need not worry about that.
The game advertises that you can travel to every planet or every hill you spot on the horizon. You can seamlessly fly from one planet to another. Every star in the sky is said to be a sun with its own solar system that you can visit.
According to recent estimates, there are about 18 trillion planets in No Man’s Sky. That is an incredible number ‒ with 18 zeros! No matter which planet you travel to, which oceans you dive into, which mountains you climb, only you decide where to go.
You will be provided with an unimaginably vast galaxy as a playground. All of these planets could not have been created by hand. They are procedurally generated, so to speak, “automatically”.
This galaxy of No Man’s Sky is a shared world: You are connected online with other players. The catch in No Man’s Sky is, however, that the game world is so large that you will very rarely meet another player. A true online experience is probably not to be expected.
According to Sean Murray, the game creator of the space simulation, 99.9% of the galaxy will never be visited:
It is either quite beautiful or seriously depressing.
Discover things no one has seen before
In No Man’s Sky, you explore previously unknown solar systems and discover unique life forms. Each landscape of each planet differs from the others, and each planet is inhabited by different species. In addition, ancient artifacts are said to be scattered everywhere that could reveal the secrets of this universe. Many planets are expected to never be discovered, and in most cases, you can assume that the planet you will visit has not been seen by anyone else before.
This also means that you will not find a Let’s Play or online guide on the internet that will answer your questions about specific planets or help you in various situations. You will be the very first on the planet. This is what true discoveries are about.
By the way: In this galaxy, there are also unknown races and factions that want to communicate with you or are hostile. There will also be opportunities to learn a little lore about the various cultures. These beings also have relationships and rivalries with each other.
Danger lurks in No Man’s Sky
In No Man’s Sky, it’s not just about discovering alien worlds, but also about sheer survival. In every solar system, on every planet, in every ocean, and every cave, danger can await you. And you are indeed vulnerable.
Both your ship and your equipment can be destroyed. Every encounter with an alien species shall challenge your skills. Whether it is spaceship battles or first-person combat on planets, you will encounter enemies who want to kill you. It is advisable not to die. Because one single mistake – and you could lose everything. In No Man’s Sky, every victory and every defeat is supposed to have lasting consequences.
Your weapons, suits, and ships need upgrades
In No Man’s Sky, there are many different elements to discover. These are based on our periodic table, but some are also fictional. With this, you can craft consumables and technologies that will be useful during your journey.
Your weapons, suits, and ships can be customized. Extensive customization and modification options are expected to be available.
Does No Man’s Sky support VR technology?
It has not yet been confirmed whether No Man’s Sky will support virtual reality. However, Sony stated that it is certainly an interesting speculation. It is also no secret that the developers of No Man’s Sky, Hello Games, have played around with VR technology. For a space and exploration game, where you can admire picturesque landscapes, the new technology is definitely appealing.
No Man’s Sky will be released on June 22, 2016 for PlayStation 4 and PC.
