No Man's Sky

 PC
User Score
4.0

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 2694 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 819 out of 2694
  2. Mixed: 284 out of 2694
  3. Negative: 1,591 out of 2694

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  1. ImFireblade
    Aug 15, 2016
    10
    It's so good this game.People are overhyped and says "bad gameplay,no multiplayer,low FPS" and they vote 0.
    For me is so smooth and is always around 60 fps.
    For the bad gameplay is normal,this game is not for all...It's all exploration and crafting and for the people that doesn't like this kind of game simply don't buy it and don't vote. For the multiplayer the game on steam was tagged    It's so good this game.People are overhyped and says "bad gameplay,no multiplayer,low FPS" and they vote 0.
    For me is so smooth and is always around 60 fps.
    For the bad gameplay is normal,this game is not for all...It's all exploration and crafting and for the people that doesn't like this kind of game simply don't buy it and don't vote.
    For the multiplayer the game on steam was tagged single player since it was on the market.
    So be informed before buying a game and don't go to vote 0 if you didn't have what you expected.    … Expand
  2. mega_karaoke
    Aug 17, 2016
    7
    No Man's Sky succeeds in its core goal: providing a pretty chill space exploration game with basically endless places to go. Most of the rest of the game is less successful. (Apart from the soundtrack which is quite excellent.)

    Unlike a lot of the reviewers here, I've not experienced the technical issues, crashes, or low FPS with my modest (i5 3570 + RX470) system. I have about 10    No Man's Sky succeeds in its core goal: providing a pretty chill space exploration game with basically endless places to go. Most of the rest of the game is less successful. (Apart from the soundtrack which is quite excellent.)

    Unlike a lot of the reviewers here, I've not experienced the technical issues, crashes, or low FPS with my modest (i5 3570 + RX470) system. I have about 10 friends on Steam with the game, all without major issues. (One friend couldn't get the game to work at all but was running really old drivers. An update fixed the problem.)

    Pros: relatively easy to learn, some pretty interesting stuff to see, limited loading screens (let's be real, "warping" is just a loading screen), excellent soundtrack and audio design in general

    Could use some work: performance is okay but not great (anti-aliasing options could use some help), physics engine is questionable at times, inventory space is perhaps still too limited and becomes a (boring) mini-game of its own

    Cons: user interface clearly designed for consoles, NPC and building variety limited, no ability to easily backtrack to previous systems (just need a warp option in the list of discovered systems), combat systems and enemy AI too simple

    Overall, I think it's worth a trial (buy on Steam for easy refund in case your system doesn't like it) if you're interested in wandering around in alien worlds for a bit and okay with not having much in the way of structured gameplay or "stuff to do."    … Expand
  3. Ozimandeus
    Aug 13, 2016
    9
    The ultra negative reviews are frankly, shameful, this is one of the best sci-fi space trading games to come out in a very long time indeed. Those giving the game less than a 7, have either no idea how to play this kind of game. Or worse are doing so because they get off on libel. I suspect its a bit of both. Don't listen to the hate filled rubbish on steam and meta-lie. This is a Gem of a game.
  4. Levethian
    Aug 30, 2016
    8
    Modded inventory & flight. Operates well on my gtx760 set-up, fortunately. The algorithms used to generate planets are impressive, as is the tech that does away with loading screens. Most things feel 'natural', with attractive art & sound. Pop-in is ugly when flying, although 'places of interest' are visible much earlier. Feels like enough to 'do' to satisfy the occasional aimlessModded inventory & flight. Operates well on my gtx760 set-up, fortunately. The algorithms used to generate planets are impressive, as is the tech that does away with loading screens. Most things feel 'natural', with attractive art & sound. Pop-in is ugly when flying, although 'places of interest' are visible much earlier. Feels like enough to 'do' to satisfy the occasional aimless wanderer, but not enough to immerse yourself into the galaxy's lore.

    I adore this game, but it isn't for everyone. I benefited from not seeing much of the pre-release trailers.

    After a few hours locations begin to repeat themselves. After several hours you'll start bypassing locations you already 'know'. And the same eventually becomes true of planets. But there isn't a game that offers what NMS does, for the first dozen-or-so hours of play-time.

    Hopefully 'Hello Games' will release more locations, more generative mini-quests, and more easter-eggs to keep things enticing, as well as increased optimisation and unlock PC-options to, for example, heftily increase pop-in distances. Mods are already on the scene, and the modding community will probably 'finish' the game before anyone else does.    … Expand
  5. isvein
    Aug 18, 2016
    8
    After 14hours into the game, it is not so bad that a lot of people say it is, but it is not a game for everyone (but what game is?) NMS is about exploring, and the exploring and traveling IS the game.
    As of now you can get into some fights, but not anything massive, at least not that I have seen yet.
    Storage managment and the know of what to keep and what to not keep/mining is a big    After 14hours into the game, it is not so bad that a lot of people say it is, but it is not a game for everyone (but what game is?) NMS is about exploring, and the exploring and traveling IS the game.
    As of now you can get into some fights, but not anything massive, at least not that I have seen yet.

    Storage managment and the know of what to keep and what to not keep/mining is a big part too, as you have limited space in both suit/backpack and ship, but you can always send stuff from yourself to the ship, but not the other way if you are too far away from the ship. (but you can discard stuff from the ship wile you are away from it )

    Yes, there is a lot missing in the game, but I still enjoy the content so far.
    If you like games like Journey, then NMS may be one you like too.

    The best anyone can do is to play it for themself and make up their own oppinion, because this game has got too much hate than it deserves.    … Expand
  6. itsLukeNunn
    Aug 12, 2016
    10
    I don't get why people are hating on it so bad, Sean Murray said what the game entails and it's exactly that! The game is beautiful and just amazing to walk around and explore. Also I can't wait to see what the future holds for this game, I bet the updates are gonna bring some amazing things!

    If you love space, buy it, if you love exploration, buy it, this game really is one of a kind!
  7. nazkira
    Aug 16, 2016
    9
    These low raters basically don't know what they're talking about (or what this game is about.) I have a mid-range machine and haven't had any problems whatsoever (Windows 10, 8GB RAM. i5-4670k, Radeon R7-265). My system isn't really up to this game, but I get 30+ FPS on most planets, at all times, unless there are lots of trees. I've never had a crash in this game.

    I play any decent    These low raters basically don't know what they're talking about (or what this game is about.) I have a mid-range machine and haven't had any problems whatsoever (Windows 10, 8GB RAM. i5-4670k, Radeon R7-265). My system isn't really up to this game, but I get 30+ FPS on most planets, at all times, unless there are lots of trees. I've never had a crash in this game.

    I play any decent space sim/game. Eve, Star Citizen, Elite:Dangerous, X series by Egosoft, etc. If you're that kind of gamer, you'll like this game -- guaranteed. It's the latest of that kind of game, and it's probably only going to get better.

    I'm picky and I'm 40+. If you're like me, you get what I'm saying and where people like us come from. Just get this game. You'll get all the story you need when you gaze over an alien moon, its planet filling the horizon, with your trusty ship in view. Pondering the cosmos.    … Expand
  8. greninjaX
    Sep 26, 2019
    0
    awful, awful game made by lying developers. do not buy no man's sky or you will cry
  9. konciipt
    Aug 12, 2016
    10
    Great optimizing even with a top rig.
    We were told the truth about multiplayer.
    Game is like they sold it out to us.

    The steam reviews are full of praise too, people aren't crashing, game is working as it should, lag problems non existent and no FPS issues.
    It is a mess!
  10. DeepspaceAU
    Aug 12, 2016
    10
    What spoilt fools many of us have become. Attacking this game just because it's different. So it doesn't follow some of the conventions. This game is incredible. It's art. I have been playing it for a good 8 hours straight now without a break. I have been hypnotised. I can't remember when I did that last with any title, and I play a lot of games. Even the Witcher 3 or Skyrim didn'tWhat spoilt fools many of us have become. Attacking this game just because it's different. So it doesn't follow some of the conventions. This game is incredible. It's art. I have been playing it for a good 8 hours straight now without a break. I have been hypnotised. I can't remember when I did that last with any title, and I play a lot of games. Even the Witcher 3 or Skyrim didn't capture me this much. This game is unique, strange and atmospheric. So many people are punishing it for not following some of the 'rules' of modern AAA gaming. It isn't an AAA title, and maybe the only mistake Hello Games made was not in the game, but was associating Sony, the epitome of typical gaming, on board. This reminds me of Starflight, Outcast, Elite, Privateer, Escape Velocity and some of the classic PC games of the past (and FTL's inventory system!), before games became mainstream and sanitised. If you 'get it', you don't need to be convinced. If you don't get it, you never will. Go back to Assassin's Creed or something.… Expand
  11. AlfieParanoia
    Aug 12, 2016
    10
    60FPS at 1440 on Ultra (single 980TI).

    Game works great (No stuttering or crushes).

    Gameplay is fun as long as you don't expect "the game to end all games".
  12. SchladenFlaten
    Aug 18, 2016
    8
    Sean Murray (?) and the media really ruined a good game. I mean I like it a lot and can't stop playing it so I am reviewing here for balance but they totally BS'd about so much with this game, I get it but the more you get into, the more like an onion it becomes. It's an odd mix of exploring and choose your own adventure dialog choices.
  13. LazerzZ
    Aug 12, 2016
    10
    This game was created by very very few people and is far begetter than most AAA titles on release, The amount you can do in just the base game is insane, played it for 7 hours straight, cannot wait to see what they add with future updates... The game is exactly what Sean Murray said it would be, and I'm extremely pleased. It doesn't at all deserve all the hate.
  14. nafanyasasha
    Aug 15, 2016
    9
    The game is excellent, what waiting for? I hope to expand the content and patches! there like all problems..(i5 2500/770gtx/12GB) I temporarily returned the money as soon as I corrected all buy the game promise!
  15. Joog
    Aug 17, 2016
    10
    Very nice game, it has the ghost of Molyneux sniffing the game but not as bad as some people make it out to be. Over all i had a hyped start where everything was GREAT, then i got a little disillusioned and wandered around aimlessly when i came down of my hype rush. After that i got a new spark and liked the game again when i just went for a long stroll on one of the planets walking aroundVery nice game, it has the ghost of Molyneux sniffing the game but not as bad as some people make it out to be. Over all i had a hyped start where everything was GREAT, then i got a little disillusioned and wandered around aimlessly when i came down of my hype rush. After that i got a new spark and liked the game again when i just went for a long stroll on one of the planets walking around for resources and petting the animals while scanning for a outpost/hiding place with the facility to call my spaceplane to me.

    The storyline is a story suggestion, the flight controls are a little lacking but only when trying to land and other atmospheric maneuvers, in space i like how it handles.

    I had 2 crashes but that's in +20 hours of gameplay

    bullet points
    [*] No real storyline
    [*] Very big in a relatively small way
    [*] Beautiful
    [*] no handholding gameplaywise. You will have to figure stuff out yourself
    [*] In the beginning it will be more scrounging for parts and resources but later on you will have the 'exploration experience'
    [*] You will have to immerge yourself, it will not do it for you.

    It would be a 7 but the 0 brigade screwed the userscore so iim giving 3 points extra to try and correct this for whatever good it will do.    … Expand
  16. Turnip
    Aug 13, 2016
    5
    You know those old-western saloons with the huge facade, but behind them is but a tiny building? Meant to look really huge and impressive, but in reality is small and bland? That is No Man's Sky.
  17. The-Paddy
    Aug 29, 2016
    10
    I'm loving this game. One of the things I love the most about it is that there is very little trying to kill you every time you turn around and no other players to annoy the crap out of you, like they do in WOW. It's peaceful, it's involving and intriguing.

    So many people are complaining about it, I myself wish they would just shut the hell up and go play something that is more to    I'm loving this game. One of the things I love the most about it is that there is very little trying to kill you every time you turn around and no other players to annoy the crap out of you, like they do in WOW. It's peaceful, it's involving and intriguing.

    So many people are complaining about it, I myself wish they would just shut the hell up and go play something that is more to their liking.    … Expand
  18. strangergv1
    Aug 16, 2016
    10
    I played this game and I gave it a 10/10 just because the pathetic maggots that played 0% of No Man's Sky give it a 0/10. I cannot understand that so many people report poor performance and crashing. I am running this game on an system with a AMD FX-8350 4GHZ overclock processor 16 GB memory and a GTX 970, and with settings on high the only issue I am having is occasionally FRS dip/I played this game and I gave it a 10/10 just because the pathetic maggots that played 0% of No Man's Sky give it a 0/10. I cannot understand that so many people report poor performance and crashing. I am running this game on an system with a AMD FX-8350 4GHZ overclock processor 16 GB memory and a GTX 970, and with settings on high the only issue I am having is occasionally FRS dip/ graphic stuttering. Don't pay attention to those that say No Man's Sky is a bad boring game and it's poorly optimized to run smoothly even on a high end computer, it's not true.… Expand
  19. MahOrigin
    Aug 12, 2016
    10
    First thing first, this game is new, and is suffering from many bad performance issues. Personally, I can run it just fine at 60 FPS on medium, and a solid 50 with high. The game has definitely lived up to what I wanted from it. It has many things to do. The game starts out slowly, but once you learn all the controls and how the game plays, you will get used to it. As long as you are goingFirst thing first, this game is new, and is suffering from many bad performance issues. Personally, I can run it just fine at 60 FPS on medium, and a solid 50 with high. The game has definitely lived up to what I wanted from it. It has many things to do. The game starts out slowly, but once you learn all the controls and how the game plays, you will get used to it. As long as you are going into the game knowing what it is like, then you should have a lot of fun. Temporarily, I would recommend holding off on buying it unless you 1. Know you can run it fine, or 2 The FPS issue is fixed. Although, most of the time, the FPS issue is not based on your graphics card, it could be your processor. But for me, this is definitely my favorite game this year by far.… Expand
  20. Ansgarr
    Aug 12, 2016
    9
    The game goes pretty well with my hardware, I don't really have complains, it's a solid 8.5 for me, if the hiden story is surprising or maybe philosophic it's probably a 9.

    Guys, seriously, learn how to configure the graphic settings on a game, you can do it in-game or with the software that your GPU provides you... It's really easy
  21. zimzam01
    Aug 13, 2016
    9
    I've had ALMOST zero issues with this game. One time I did get some slowdown but after exiting out and restarting, no problems. This is a great game with a lot of future potential and I can't wait to see where it goes.
  22. Intonarumori
    Aug 16, 2016
    9
    No Man's Sky is an exploration game. Not much happens. There's hardly any action, hardly anything to 'do', hardly any challenge. What No Man's Sky offers is a galaxy full of pretty sights and the delightful feeling of gradual improvement at a slow but steady pace.

    There have been lots of very negative reviews. While I can certainly sympathize with those who have technical issues with    No Man's Sky is an exploration game. Not much happens. There's hardly any action, hardly anything to 'do', hardly any challenge. What No Man's Sky offers is a galaxy full of pretty sights and the delightful feeling of gradual improvement at a slow but steady pace.

    There have been lots of very negative reviews. While I can certainly sympathize with those who have technical issues with the game I can't subscribe to the point of view that this is in any way a bad game. The gameplay is paper thin, and this is disappointing, but the game has been about exploration and it still delivers on that promise. I would have given the game a 8/10, but I added one point to do my part in offsetting the angry mob.    … Expand
  23. anagain
    Aug 15, 2016
    9
    I'm enjoying the game, and (as someone said in a let's play on YT) that's what matters. A lot of people have gone in to NMS expecting the bee's knees, but if you don't raise your expectations too high then you stand less chance of being disappointed.

    NMS is Minecraft in space, or at least that is how I think of it. If you liked playing Minecraft and just exploring then you'll most    I'm enjoying the game, and (as someone said in a let's play on YT) that's what matters. A lot of people have gone in to NMS expecting the bee's knees, but if you don't raise your expectations too high then you stand less chance of being disappointed.

    NMS is Minecraft in space, or at least that is how I think of it. If you liked playing Minecraft and just exploring then you'll most likely enjoy NMS...because that is what you do. NMS just has more variety of animal and plant life, and some of the vistas are, in my opinion, breathtaking.

    Don't go in to NMS expecting a combat experience of the like of Elite because that's not what the game is. NMS is a sandbox game where you make your story.

    Personally, I can't wait to see what the next planet has to offer. That's why I'd recommend NMS.    … Expand
  24. Prosmooth
    Aug 18, 2016
    8
    With the first update installed, I'm running it just fine with medium settings on a 5 year old AMD CPU and a GTX 560 TI--with only 6 gigs of RAM. Hardly a hiccup in sight. I did have to wait for the first update to play though--but now that it's patched, it's all good. No more crash at startup. Gameplay is exactly what was promised. I guess some people were expecting Wing Commander withWith the first update installed, I'm running it just fine with medium settings on a 5 year old AMD CPU and a GTX 560 TI--with only 6 gigs of RAM. Hardly a hiccup in sight. I did have to wait for the first update to play though--but now that it's patched, it's all good. No more crash at startup. Gameplay is exactly what was promised. I guess some people were expecting Wing Commander with planets and FPS combat. That's not what this is. This is a chill game. Walk around and look at stuff. Fly around and look at stuff. Very loose plot that involves building your ship and flying to the center of the galaxy. I really like it.… Expand
  25. Mkarzi
    Aug 12, 2016
    9
    I've had no issues loading or playing. Update all drivers before hand and have been enjoying the game immensely. Exactly as promised, explore,survive,trade. Worth the price and the time.
  26. sswam
    Aug 20, 2016
    9
    I'm running the game on a PC with GPU about 50% under spec, and it's still playable. I like the game, a great variety of worlds to explore and animals to discover. It's not perfect, but it is extremely innovative and we should encourage and support it.
  27. artnat
    Aug 26, 2016
    6
    Apart from the technical problems this game desperately needs new content and new gameplay.

    The art direction is great, procedural generation is great. Everything looks cool but it lacks substance. Yes, it was overhyped, but I spent over 20 relaxing hours in it mining and travelling. It has potential to be something greater. Giving it 0's just because it didn't meet expectations is    Apart from the technical problems this game desperately needs new content and new gameplay.

    The art direction is great, procedural generation is great. Everything looks cool but it lacks substance.

    Yes, it was overhyped, but I spent over 20 relaxing hours in it mining and travelling. It has potential to be something greater. Giving it 0's just because it didn't meet expectations is not fair.

    Buy it on sale after they put some content in and you will be satisfied.    … Expand
  28. linkinit
    May 16, 2021
    0
    This game needs to be rescored. All these negative ratings are from years ago on first release and some guy who zero voted all games. Please reconsider and regrade.
  29. Daver49
    Aug 17, 2016
    9
    This is a game to be appreciated by hardcore science fiction fans who also are gamers. It will take you visually back to the wonderous stories of A.E. Van Vogt, Arthur C. Clark and Robert Heinlein. It is evolutionary in character and asks the participant to allow oneself to be changed if the goal is to be attained. The sophistication and inner ethics will probably not appeal to theThis is a game to be appreciated by hardcore science fiction fans who also are gamers. It will take you visually back to the wonderous stories of A.E. Van Vogt, Arthur C. Clark and Robert Heinlein. It is evolutionary in character and asks the participant to allow oneself to be changed if the goal is to be attained. The sophistication and inner ethics will probably not appeal to the impatient or angry who are bent on ever increasing levels of domination, destruction and gore. So, if it has one fault, it is because it is an adult experience, not a teen adventure. However, I think it will eventually develop into a classic because people will eventually realize what the authors are trying convey; an encounter with the mysterious. In this it eminently succeeds.… Expand
  30. Lostprophets4
    Aug 16, 2016
    10
    I haven't had a single problem with all the tech and visual crashing issues that everyone else is having, game runs flawlessly and is super fun. 15 hours on record already!
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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Most Discussed PC Game of 2016
25
#25 Most Shared PC Game of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
61

Mixed or average reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 17
  3. Negative: 2 out of 17
  1. Pelit (Finland)
    Oct 11, 2016
    67
    No Man's Sky breaks the record in falling short of the hype – which is an incredible achievement in the category of super ambitious space games. The huge universe is a repetitive, lifeless and meaningless place, no amount of random generated creatures can change that. The most unforgivable fail is making the spaceship such a pain to fly, which makes exploring the vast universe simply a chore. However, at its best the game is epic and many of the issues should be easy to fix, so this might not be the end of the journey after all. [Sept 2016]
  2. PC PowerPlay
    Oct 2, 2016
    60
    It's partially broken, shallow, repetitive and aimless, but hang me, I still kind of love it. [Issue#255, p.56]
  3. Edge Magazine
    Sep 27, 2016
    60
    While some poorly designed systems and mechanics chip away at your patience, the feeling of flying seamlessly from space down to a peninsula you spotted from orbit never fails to enthrall. [Nov 2016, p.106]
See all critic reviews »