At this point, No Man’s Sky might be the most developed non-MMO in history. Despite Hello Games working on a whole new open-world project the size of Earth, the allure of their initially rocky but now celebrated space sim keeps drawing them back for more updates.
The latest update, dubbed Worlds Part 1 or No Man’s Sky 5.0, promises to make the galaxy more beautiful and immersive than ever before. The patch notes, now live, reveal a plethora of enhancements, including new technology, flora, fauna, and gameplay elements.
Sean Murray, head of Hello Games, mentions, “I think we’re adding things the community has almost given up hope on ever happening.” This includes a significant overhaul of the game’s water technology, introducing waves and reflections that make ocean planets feel entirely new. Additionally, planets now feature simulated wind patterns and dynamic waves that respond to weather conditions.
Other visual upgrades include new volumetrics and atmospherics, with rolling fog, rain, blizzards, and lava sparks combining with wind and clouds to create more lifelike and dynamic planetary environments. This makes exploring planets a richer and more engaging experience.
On the gameplay front, ships can now land on water, expanding exploration possibilities. New flora and fauna have been added, along with a “very Starship Troopers-inspired” expedition, likely a nod to the popular space-themed shooter genre.
You can watch Sean Murray explain all these changes in detail in the No Man’s Sky deep dive video, where the studio showcases the new tech and gameplay enhancements. And if you think this update might finally satisfy the developers’ urge to continually improve the game, think again. Murray hints that “Worlds Part 1” is just the beginning, with more updates to follow.
No Man’s Sky continues to evolve, offering players new and exciting ways to explore its vast universe. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a new player, this update promises to deliver a more vibrant and immersive space adventure.
