No Man's Sky

No Man’s Sky is no doubt a magnificent feat in game development. I am left humbled by all that I have seen and intend on continuing my journey in an attempt to see as much as possible, well aware I will never see it all.

76%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, optimization

81% User Score Based on 197,653 reviews

Critic Score 71%Based on 49 reviews

Platforms

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About

"No Man's Sky" is a single-player and multiplayer role-playing game, with co-op capability for 2 players. The game offers a procedurally generated universe with 29 updates, including Worlds Part I, where players can explore unique planets, encounter various lifeforms, and face dangerous pirates. The ultimate goal is to reach the center of the galaxy, encountering various challenges along way, in order to uncover the true nature of the cosmos.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

+121

81%

Audience ScoreBased on 197,702 reviews

story4.9k positive mentions

grinding7.7k negative mentions

The game features stunning visuals and a breathtaking atmosphere that enhances the exploration experience.
No Man's Sky offers a procedurally generated universe with endless exploration, crafting, and base-building opportunities, making it highly replayable.
The developers have committed to continuous free updates and content expansions, fostering a strong sense of community support and ethical monetization.

The story is often criticized for being minimal, repetitive, and lacking depth, with quests devolving into uninspired errands.
Many players report ongoing stability issues, including frequent glitches, crashes, and performance problems, particularly in multiplayer mode.
The gameplay loop can feel grindy and tedious, leading to a sense of monotony for some players despite the vast universe.

story
27,034 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
76%
7%
The story in *No Man's Sky* is often described as minimal and fragmented, primarily serving as a backdrop to the game's expansive exploration and sandbox mechanics. While some players appreciate the philosophical themes and lore that unfold through quests and interactions, many find the narrative to be repetitive and lacking depth, often reduced to fetch quests and basic objectives. Despite its shortcomings, the game's ongoing updates and community-driven content have revitalized interest, making it a notable redemption story in the gaming industry.
- “The game offers you both an engaging story and a functionally limitless universe to engage with.”
- “Each story is our story, and with 18 quintillion fully explorable planets, and plenty of ship varieties, No Man's Sky sells on the immersion factor like no other space exploration game.”
- “The story is interesting (if a little hard to follow sometimes), flying around is fun, the planets are visually interesting, finding a place to build a base is engaging, base building is fun, and there's a lot to do.”
- “The story feels like a series of uninspired errands: 'go here, talk to someone,' with no compelling context, memorable locations, or interesting characters to keep me invested.”
- “The story leaves a lot to be desired, with quests devolving into a basic 'go to x and interact with object' quest with like a sentence or two of lore given to the player through some mysterious transmission as a reward, only for it to happen again in a repetitive & uninteresting cycle that gets tedious far too quickly for what is such an expansive cool world/game.”
- “The main story is lacking… a lot. The quests are very repetitive, and the writing is too equivocal for its own good.”
gameplay
16,478 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
68%
11%
The gameplay of No Man's Sky has evolved significantly since its rocky launch, with numerous updates introducing new mechanics, features, and quality-of-life improvements. Players appreciate the vast, procedurally generated universe that offers endless exploration, crafting, and base-building opportunities, although many note that the core gameplay loop can become repetitive and grindy over time. While the game excels in visuals and atmosphere, some mechanics still feel shallow or poorly integrated, leading to mixed feelings about the overall depth and engagement of the gameplay experience.
- “After 48 hours of gameplay, I did 2 expeditions, grinded a sentinel rifle multi-tool to S class, and have the starship from the cursed expedition as my primary one with full upgrade slots.”
- “The gameplay loop—gathering resources, upgrading your equipment, and pushing further into the unknown—strikes a perfect balance between challenge and reward.”
- “The gameplay is a great mix of exploring, surviving, and crafting, so there's always something interesting to do.”
- “The gameplay is quite repetitive with lackluster story/writing, similar to Starfield.”
- “The gameplay loop is boring as hell unless you like building identical box bases.”
- “The core gameplay loop is still incredibly dull with resources that you endlessly need to harvest for no other reason than because.”
graphics
11,497 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
56%
6%
The graphics of "No Man's Sky" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and vibrant art style, which many players describe as breathtaking and reminiscent of classic sci-fi aesthetics. While the game has made significant improvements since its initial release, some users report performance issues and graphical glitches, particularly on lower-end systems. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to create immersive environments that enhance the exploration experience, despite occasional technical shortcomings.
- “The graphics are stunning — the colors, textures, atmosphere — it looks like you're traveling through a living painting.”
- “The game shines with stunning visuals, breathtaking planets, endless exploration, cool ships, base building, space battles, and even multiplayer.”
- “The graphics are incredibly beautiful and the setting and tone are very peaceful and trippy.”
- “Very outdated mid 2010s gameplay and graphics.”
- “The graphics are of low quality.”
- “The graphics are pretty broken right now.”
grinding
7,973 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
96%
The grinding aspect of "No Man's Sky" has received mixed feedback from players. While some enjoy the grind as a means of progression and find it satisfying to gather resources, upgrade equipment, and build bases, many others describe it as tedious and repetitive, particularly in the early stages of the game. The gameplay often revolves around resource collection and crafting, which can feel like busywork, leading to a sense of monotony for some players. Overall, the game offers a vast universe to explore, but the grind can be a significant factor in the experience, making it essential for potential players to consider their tolerance for such mechanics.
- “Progression isn't grindy at all but rather satisfying.”
- “The visuals are amazing, the music is great and the overall gameplay is rewarding while not tedious or overly grindy.”
- “There is pretty much no grinding at all, resources are abundant and there is so much to do.”
- “Tedious, boring, mind-numbing, and so forth.”
- “The game is very grindy and very repetitive.”
- “The gameplay loop amounts to grinding resources to sustain yourself long enough in order to grind resources to build up better production facilities in order to grind resources.”
optimization
6,539 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
52%
35%
The optimization of "No Man's Sky" has seen significant improvements since its rocky launch, with many players noting that performance has become more stable and smoother over time, particularly after updates that introduced Vulkan support. However, issues persist, especially for users with AMD graphics cards, who report ongoing stuttering, frame drops, and general performance inconsistencies. While some players enjoy a seamless experience on high-end systems, others continue to struggle with optimization challenges, leading to mixed reviews regarding the game's overall performance.
- “The game is well-optimized, you can even play it on lightweight machines.”
- “Thanks to Hello Games’ commitment to optimization, the game runs smoothly on the Steam Deck with customizable graphics settings to balance performance and visual fidelity.”
- “The performance and graphics are top-notch and well optimized, making it both beautiful and smooth to play, which enhances the immersion.”
- “The game also suffers from extreme optimization issues, slow and laggy load screens and a general lack of refinement.”
- “The performance is terrible, which I could understand if it had amazing graphics, but I don't find it that visually appealing.”
- “The game is poorly optimized, even running on high end machines with the latest RTX cards.”
stability
4,919 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
93%
The stability of No Man's Sky has been a significant point of contention among players. Initially released as a buggy mess in 2016, the game has seen substantial improvements over the years, yet many users still report frequent glitches, crashes, and performance issues, particularly in multiplayer mode. While some players find the bugs amusing or manageable, others express frustration over game-breaking glitches that can lead to lost progress, indicating that the game remains a mixed bag in terms of stability.
- “Everything is working as it should, no glitches, smooth play and an interesting story so far.”
- “The game runs great, looks great, and the endless universe wows me.”
- “This game is well refined and bug free for the most part.”
- “There are many visual glitches - small ships appear as massive versions dissolving through the scenery at times.”
- “It's a shame it falls down with a buggy engine and atmosphere-busting logic.”
- “The game is just such a buggy mess; I get stuck in walls, my storage containers on my freighter won't spawn, and the terrain swallows my bases all the time.”
music
2,406 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
49%
2%
The music in "No Man's Sky" has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, primarily composed by the band 65daysofstatic. Players appreciate the soundtrack's ability to enhance the sense of exploration and wonder, with many describing it as beautiful, relaxing, and fitting for the game's expansive universe. While some find the music repetitive over long play sessions, the overall consensus is that it significantly contributes to the game's ambiance and enjoyment, making it a standout feature.
- “The space and planetary exploration is fun, the landscapes and all the views are stunning, the gameplay keeps you hooked and enjoying, and the music transports you to those magnificent places in the cosmos.”
- “The soundtrack, composed by 65daysofstatic, perfectly complements the awe of discovering a new planet or the tension of navigating hostile environments.”
- “The music is beautiful and makes sense for what the game is about.”
- “The music is very bad though and should be changed or muted.”
- “The music, while initially interesting, becomes rather aggravating and just as repetitive as the gameplay itself.”
- “The soundtrack was okay, but there are about 3 different songs which play out.”
atmosphere
2,074 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
53%
3%
The atmosphere in "No Man's Sky" is widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive sound design, and the sense of wonder it evokes during exploration. Players appreciate the seamless transitions between space and planetary atmospheres, which enhance the feeling of discovery and adventure. However, some critiques mention that while the game excels in creating a beautiful and atmospheric experience, it can become repetitive over time, with many planets feeling similar despite their unique atmospheric conditions. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its strongest features, providing a captivating backdrop for exploration and survival.
- “The graphics are stunning — the colors, textures, atmosphere — it looks like you're traveling through a living painting.”
- “The atmosphere is 10/10.”
- “The atmosphere is absolutely breathtaking.”
- “Ultimately, I stopped playing because I started to feel that the planets would eventually stop feeling distinct from one another, apart from differences in atmospheres, flora, and fauna.”
- “The only real complaints I have are when entering/leaving the atmosphere there is a slight freeze and not to mention the extreme LOD changes.”
- “The in-atmosphere flying mechanics in this game are terrible.”
monetization
941 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
39%
58%
The monetization model of "No Man's Sky" has been widely praised for its integrity, as the game features no microtransactions, paid DLC, or subscription fees. Players appreciate the developers' commitment to providing continuous free updates and content expansions, contrasting sharply with the prevalent cash-grab practices in the gaming industry. This approach has led to a strong sense of community support for Hello Games, with many players advocating for the game as a model of ethical monetization in modern gaming.
- “For a game that you only pay for once with the initial purchase (no in-game purchases or non-free DLCs), they've put in more work on updating the game since release than anyone would've expected, and they claim this is only the start of what they have planned.”
- “Unlike other games that lock new content behind DLCs and microtransactions, all the updates have been completely free and for all this the game is truly deserving of being called a labor of love.”
- “It's genuinely incredible how long they have supported this game and how good it has gotten over the years with zero paid DLC, microtransactions, or anything, just a continuously updated game to be fixed into what people wanted from it, and at this point even beyond that.”
- “I bought it on day 1 and was saying it was a total scam and different than they were advertising, but now it's actually the game they were selling.”
- “The game is a cash grab.”
- “The advertising was pure con artistry.”
humor
919 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in "No Man's Sky" is frequently highlighted by players, who enjoy the quirky and often bizarre creatures they encounter, as well as the amusing situations that arise from the game's procedural generation. Many reviews mention the joy of naming planets and animals with funny titles, and the lighthearted interactions with alien species, which contribute to a whimsical atmosphere. Despite some frustrations with bugs and glitches, players often find these moments to be more humorous than detrimental, enhancing the overall experience of exploration and discovery in the game.
- “Sometimes you will encounter hilariously dumb-looking animals; the rest are just weird proportional creatures with no distinct features.”
- “The Gek are funny frog-bird aliens, and I get to fly a spaceship as one.”
- “Every day I sign in, there's a new way to be a funny little space guy, and I love it.”
- “This is a good game but there are so many bugs it’s not funny. It’s very annoying seeing all your work you put into a base all messed up because there was an update. I would recommend this game but I wouldn’t pay full price just because of the sheer amount of things wrong with the game at this point. I really hope they fix it soon; if it was fixed, this would be a top-tier exploring game for sure.”
- “Too many bugs, not funny bugs, the kind of bug that drove you crazy.”
- “Funny... but also not funny obviously for all the players experiencing problems.”
replayability
659 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
59%
7%
The replayability of "No Man's Sky" is frequently described as nearly infinite, thanks to its procedurally generated universe that offers endless exploration and diverse gameplay options. Players appreciate the continuous updates and community expeditions that enhance replay value, although some note that the experience can become repetitive over time. Overall, the game is highly recommended for those who enjoy sandbox-style exploration and creative freedom, making it a staple in many gamers' libraries.
- “The gameplay is highly replayable, offering endless possibilities to explore, build, and discover.”
- “With all of these features coming out of the box, and the replay value of the game, No Man's Sky is a gem that should be in every gamer's library.”
- “Infinitely replayable -- I'm still finding new things after 1,000+ hours of gameplay.”
- “The fact that every player's experience is unique due to the procedurally generated universe adds an extra layer of replayability to the game.”
- “This is difficult because it's procedurally generated so replayability and game length would be infinite but all of the recipes and core gameplay don't change, all objects are just repeated with slight tweaks or variations, so for me, this isn't a game I would replay, just one big playthrough and that's it.”
- “The one thing I would criticize would be its replayability, as there's only so much procedural generation can do before repeats start occurring.”
emotional
490 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
4%
The emotional aspect of "No Man's Sky" has garnered a wide range of responses from players, with many expressing deep emotional connections to the game's themes of exploration, loneliness, and redemption. Players have reported feeling a sense of awe and nostalgia, often crying during poignant moments in the storyline, while others have noted the game's ability to evoke feelings of isolation and melancholy amidst its vast, beautiful universe. The game's evolution from a disappointing launch to a beloved title has also been highlighted as a heartwarming journey, fostering a supportive and wholesome community that enhances the overall emotional experience.
- “This game is artistic, subtle, and often incredibly emotional and moving.”
- “The story is compelling, thought-provoking, and shockingly emotional.”
- “No man's sky is more than a game; it’s an emotional odyssey that will leave a lasting impact on your heart.”
- “The repetitive gameplay, lack of meaningful multiplayer, and a boring storyline make it hard for players to remain engaged for any length of time.”
- “These guys built a really neat universe and then ruined it with maybe the most boring storyline ever.”
- “Boring story that loses itself in innuendo and ambiguity; it seemed to me they were trying to play on a particular theme, but was just left unexplored with no specific target in mind.”
character development
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
66%
17%
Character development in this game is largely criticized for being minimal or non-existent, with many players feeling no attachment to NPCs or their stories, which diminishes the emotional impact of the narrative. While some appreciate the character design and customization options, the overall consensus is that the game lacks meaningful character arcs and depth, focusing instead on exploration and crafting mechanics. Players seeking a rich story or deep character development may find this game lacking in those areas.
- “A great game for exploration, base building, and character development.”
- “With a renaissance of gaming coming on, this game hits the mark on every level: building, character development, and exploration whether it is alone or with others.”
- “Each task you do gives another way to learn needed skills and character development.”
- “There is little or no character development, no reason to become attached to the NPCs, so the attempted gut-punches in the story utterly lack impact.”
- “Zero character development or backstory.”
- “The controls are cheap, the animation is cheap, the character development is... non-existent really.”