When it comes to eventful journeys, the one that Hello Games has been on since it unveiled No Man’s Sky to the world is unrivaled. Following the survival game's first appearance back in 2013, the UK-based indie studio has had to contend with floods, public expectations, and a polarizing release period. Thanks to some substantial updates and effort, those controversial issues are seemingly in the past for the game and studio. Today, No Man’s Sky is in a far better shape than when it landed on PC and PS4 in 2016.
Nearly a decade after it first embarked on that journey though, Hello Games’ time with No Man’s Sky shows no signs of coming to an end any time soon. Speaking recently in the wake of the game’s Nintendo Switch port announcement, the studio’s co-founder Sean Murray stated that Hello Games doesn’t view the experience as being anywhere close to finished. That’s easy to believe, as this week on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, the game’s substantial 3.80 Sentinel update landed as a free patch. Named after the Sentinel drones that have been pestering players for years in-game, the update includes a lot of detail to digest.
No Man’s Sky’s Combat Overhaul
Considering how long the game has been playable, it’s impressive just how much new content Hello Games has put into No Man’s Sky’s 18th major update. Despite focusing for much of that time on the sense of exploration that players experience, the game does feature more violent mechanics too.
It’s not entirely shocking that the Sentinel update focuses primarily on breathing new life into how combat plays out. To make fighting back against the hazards of the universe more enjoyable, Hello Games has overhauled combat in several significant ways. For starters, every Multi-Tool system in the game has received a glow-up, with muzzle flashes, lighting effects, and new projectile types, all being added into the mix.
Visual effects designed to make weapons more appealing are only the start of the process, though. WIth the Sentinel update installed, No Man’s Sky players will also be able to feel the benefits of the patch too. Beyond the addition of a new Cloaking Device, the Neutron Canon, and Paralysis Mortar, the ability to add stun and incineration effects to weapons is also now possible. The Multi-Tool can similarly be set up to deal extra damage to enemies that have previously been tagged for good measure. In general the flow and feel of combat has been fundamentally changed by more under the hood tweaks and balances as well, so that it now feels far more satisfying.
Like the titular update suggests, the robotic Sentinels that have acted as the game’s intergalactic police since No Man's Sky's launch are also a big part of what’s been renovated. Beyond making the Regular Sentinels more formidable fighters, specific classes like the Heavy Combat Drone, Repair Drone, and Summoner Drone, have also joined the party. These new robots can utilize terrifying flamethrowers and shields, which should make them more of a headache to players. To balance this out, Sentinel nests will also be accessible with generous rewards for those brave enough to venture into them.
No Man’s Sky’s New Story Content
In addition to their increased combat standing, No Man’s Sky’s Sentinels are being leveled up from a lore perspective as well. Since the game’s debut in 2016, the background and motivations of the floating police-keeping force has been explored to a certain extent in-game already. However, No Man’s Sky’s latest update will ratchet things up a notch, with players being able to take on new missions that relate specifically to their origins. Beyond searching through the Sentinel Pillars that are home to this lost knowledge, new story content will be accessible at the Space Anomaly, alongside a new Expedition that’s set to launch the week after the patch's debut.
No Man’s Sky’s Robotic Companions
Based on the fact that most of No Man’s Sky’s newest update revolves around the Sentinels, directly and indirectly, it makes sense that players can now get their hands on their own floating robotic companions as well. Two distinct versions are subsequently available in game, following the Sentinel update. The first, a smaller floating drone-like ally, is not too dissimilar from the Ghosts that Bungie created for its Destiny’s franchise. Travelers who want a bit more muscle are also covered though, as a giant AI-powered mechanical escort can also alternatively be assembled.
No Man's Sky is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and is in development for the Nintendo Switch.