After a highly criticized launch in 2016, Hello Games' Frontiers update recently launching on September 1st.
As the latest update to No Man's Sky, Frontiers focuses on settlements that can be found or constructed on the game's various planets. These procedurally generated settlements can be overseen by the player, allowing them to add new structures, settle disputes between inhabitants and more. The game's base-building menu has received an overhaul, with a grid system now being used to choose and manipulate parts. However, finding and overseeing settlements is not the only new mechanic that the Frontiers update has brought to No Man's Sky. The recent update also added the Cartographers Expedition, a challenge mode that puts a heavy focus on exploring and mapping planetary systems.
After a notoriously disappointing launch back in 2016, No Man's Sky has recent reached "mostly positive" reviews on Steam. Upon the game's release, a majority of Steam reviews for the game were negative. However, within a year of release Hello Games' efforts to improve and expand the title resulted in greater positive reviews. Now, a little more than five years after launch, the scales have tipped in No Man's Sky's favor with 70% of the game's overall reviews being positive. 92% of reviews within the last 30 days were positive, showing how far the game has come since its 2016 release.
While No Man's Sky launched more than five years ago, efforts have been taken by Hello Games to ensure that the space exploration title does not become too dated. No Man's Sky's visual overhaul update titled Prisms was released on June 2, giving the game a fresh coat of paint along with some gameplay additions. Screen space reflections, new texture effects, and visual enhancements all serve to bring the game's graphics closer to more modern releases. Other updates introduced with Prisms include enhanced weather events and tamable low-flying creatures.
From its release to its fifth anniversary, No Man's Sky has proven to be an amazing success story. While the game launched as one of gaming's biggest disappointments, Hello Games has managed to transform the notorious title into a fun and engaging space exploration experience. Updates like Frontiers and Prisms continue to enhance the intergalactic experience, further increasing the value of this once-infamous game.
No Man's Sky is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Source: Steam
