No Man’s Sky remains a polarizing game almost six years after its launch. While I’m a die-hard fan who’s spent hundreds of hours exploring and building in the endless universe, I can’t deny that it’s not perfect. Many longtime players have moved on to other games, while others have tried it for the first time and found it exciting, only to lose interest over time.
A user who played No Man’s Sky years ago recently gave the game another go, and they’re pleasantly surprised by what they’ve found. Despite having a very different expectation of what the game would be like after such a long break, they still enjoy exploring, building, and relaxing under glass ceilings while witnessing the unpredictable wonders of planetary weather.
Another user played No Man’s Sky when it first came out and is just as disappointed by the experience today, despite a similar playtime. This user cites uninteresting gameplay as a major issue that persists to this day and prevents No Man’s Sky from being anything more than mindless fun.
Many others echo this sentiment, agreeing that No Man’s Sky can become repetitive and lacking in clear objectives. However, many also appreciate the atmospheric elements and continuous updates that have been added over the years.
At the core of No Man’s Sky is the mission to reach the center of the galaxy. This requires players to upgrade their warp drives and collect fuel along the way. Many players found the process underwhelming, as it involves visiting the same planets and gathering the same resources repeatedly.
Some also believe this mission is what causes the game to fall short, as it doesn’t incentivize long-term investment because you’re constantly moving between planets. Others believe that base building was introduced to combat these criticisms, but the feature underwhelms because it was added later in response to player complaints about the game feeling empty.
No Man’s Sky is obviously more complex than this, and people have different expectations that can’t be satisfied in a single game. Those who enjoyed No Man’s Sky found it relaxing and enjoyable, while those who didn’t find it boring or didn’t think it lived up to its potential.
If you’re still interested in No Man’s Sky, I highly recommend trying it out in VR. The immersion is different, and it feels like you’re actually there, building bases and relaxing under glass ceilings. You can also check out some of the other best space games if you’re looking for different experiences.
