When No Man's Sky launched just under two years ago, the general consensus was that it fell short of what had been promised. In the time since, minor and major updates have gradually improved the experience, but those pale in comparison. The game's latest update is poised to revamp the experience in significant ways.

Available for free tomorrow on PC, PS4, and Xbox One, No Man's Sky Next is by far the game's most significant update so far. The pivotal release might as well serve as an informal relaunch for No Man's Sky, which launched conspicuously missing many of the core features advertised pre-launch. Tomorrow's update seeks to course-correct by not only adding those missing components, but also implementing a sweeping visual overhaul and expanding beyond what was originally planned.

Those who lost interest shortly after No Man's Sky's release may be surprised to learn just how much it has changed since 2016. Given the size of the development team, the dedication to deliver what was promised is encouraging. Nonetheless, the lack of a real multiplayer mode has been perhaps the biggest letdown. With No Man's Sky Next, it seems the issue has finally been addressed.

As seen in a recent trailer, players will be able to team up with a small group and explore the universe together, building bases, band together in space battles, and create race tracks for others to play. What's shown looks like a true multiplayer experience, an impressive evolution from what was essentially a single player game at launch.

The Next update will also bring considerable updates to the visuals, including the option to switch between first-person and third-person perspectives, both on foot and in spacecrafts. Further, the well-received base-building mechanic will be revamped with the addition of "hundreds of new base parts," and "dramatically increased base building complexity and size limits."

Finally, tomorrow's update will see players "assemble and upgrade a fleet of frigates and command them from the bridge of your freighter," and "send your fleet out to into the universe, or deploy them to help you as you explore a specific system."

Skepticism, in this case, is understandable given No Man's Sky underwhelming past, but the Next update is just persuasive enough to give hope for the future.

No Man's Sky Next will be available for free on PS4, Xbox One, and PC, tomorrow July 24.

Source: PlayStation Blog