Space exploration game the game's director tried to temper expectations.
Then the game came out and even investigated the developers for false advertising. Fast forward two years, and now Hello Games is putting the finishing touches on a new expansion for the game called "NEXT."
Related: No Man's Sky Is Finally Getting REAL Multiplayer Two Years After Launch
An advance look at the NEXT expansion shows off that long-awaited multiplayer gameplay. The trailer follows a pilot through a number of environments. Right away it becomes clear that Hello has refined the visual experience. Planets and creatures sport more detail on these newly shiny worlds. Other pilots run through the background collecting materials or jumping into spacecraft. Once in orbit, they watch as a fleet of larger ships warps into view.
Part of NEXT's contribution to full multiplayer includes the chance for players to run their own fleet. They will be able to collect and command a number of freighters to participate in dogfights or deep-space exploration. They'll even be able to customize and build their own freighters and crew them with friends. While No Man's Sky was criticized for being isolating, this expansion clearly places the priority on team play.
brought in a new story and some limited multiplayer. These updates offered some reward to players who had stuck out the experience, but the game still had a ways to go. NEXT looks to address the biggest issues fans have brought up over the last two years.
NEXT launches next week alongside the game's debut on Xbox One. That version includes every update and expansion made for the game so far. With new features and a new console to draw players from, they hope to reclaim some of the excitement they enjoyed early. Before it hit the shelves, No Man's Sky promised gamers a universe of worlds they could explore together. Now it looks like it's finally ready to deliver.
More: No Man's Sky: A Beginner's Guide to the NEXT Update
Source: Hello Games