No Man's Sky

 PlayStation 4
User Score
4.8

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 5473 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,123 out of 5473
  2. Mixed: 648 out of 5473
  3. Negative: 2,702 out of 5473
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  1. MikeMenkes
    Aug 9, 2016
    9
    4 hours in, you have to understand what this game is to understand its potential. Its a sandbox exploration game. No, it has not been perilous, although I've died once when overdoing farming and attracting the attention of drones. There have been tense moments as my environmental shield depleted or in the one dogfight or when breaching a security wall and having to fight my way in. If4 hours in, you have to understand what this game is to understand its potential. Its a sandbox exploration game. No, it has not been perilous, although I've died once when overdoing farming and attracting the attention of drones. There have been tense moments as my environmental shield depleted or in the one dogfight or when breaching a security wall and having to fight my way in. If a planet is dull, move on. They won't all be spectacular. If you were expecting an action go play an action game. This more like Minespacecraft. As we go deeper, I expect we will be seeing more and more mystery. If you can't play a game which gives you breathing space to be what you want in the game, don't play this one. It is exactly the game Hello said it would be.… Expand
  2. psgamer4
    Aug 9, 2016
    10
    The scores of zero are just absolutely ridiculous. I wouldn't rate this a 10/10, it's a 8/10, but potentially better as I've only sunk 10 hours into the game and my impressions of it are improving every hour as I learn more about the game. At the end of the day, I wouldn't be surprised if this game crept into the 10/10 category after I sink 30+ hours into it.

    Let's clarify one thing...    The scores of zero are just absolutely ridiculous. I wouldn't rate this a 10/10, it's a 8/10, but potentially better as I've only sunk 10 hours into the game and my impressions of it are improving every hour as I learn more about the game. At the end of the day, I wouldn't be surprised if this game crept into the 10/10 category after I sink 30+ hours into it.

    Let's clarify one thing... A lot of the 0/10's are either:

    A. Xbox trolls. No explanation needed.

    B. PC gamers that are heavily invested in Elite and other space games, not sure why they even care. It's obvious, because they say they played the game for hours, but decided they would go back to Elite. Yup... you have a powerful PC, but decided to get this game on PS4? Sure ya did. Doubt they even played it.

    C. People who didn't understand what they were getting into. You don't buy Super Mario Bros and complain that it's not a FPS, then rate it a 0/10 on Metacritic.

    It delivers what it promises: Explore. Fight. Trade. Survive. If you expected something different, then that's your own fault. If you take the game for what it is, you will enjoy it. Just don't buy it and expect to hop in a deathmatch with your friends. This game is not that and I'm glad it's not trying to be that, we already have a lot of those games. This game is a work of art, very unique, and beautiful at it's core. There is nothing out there that you can compare with No Man's Sky.    … Expand
  3. AlexPixels
    Aug 9, 2016
    8
    The start is confusing in terms of what to do and how to do it, but after a while it becomes extremely fun and adventurous wondering what lies on the next planet you can see silhouetted in the night sky of the currently planet sized planet your on. This game is a fun relax game which is a breath of fresh air with all the competitive games coming out (Over watch, Battlefield 1, Call ofThe start is confusing in terms of what to do and how to do it, but after a while it becomes extremely fun and adventurous wondering what lies on the next planet you can see silhouetted in the night sky of the currently planet sized planet your on. This game is a fun relax game which is a breath of fresh air with all the competitive games coming out (Over watch, Battlefield 1, Call of duty) coming out, this is a nice sit down after a long day and exploring space and it's mysteries.… Expand
  4. SovereignJerk
    Aug 11, 2016
    10
    After a little more time with No Man'S Sky I decided to rewrite my review. I originally gave it a 9/10, but I've decided it's earned it's 10/10.

    First of all this game simply isn't for everyone. That's ok, I get that. But for the people that I know will absolutely love this game, this review is aimed at you. If you have any passion for astronomy, or science fiction the likes of which    After a little more time with No Man'S Sky I decided to rewrite my review. I originally gave it a 9/10, but I've decided it's earned it's 10/10.

    First of all this game simply isn't for everyone. That's ok, I get that. But for the people that I know will absolutely love this game, this review is aimed at you. If you have any passion for astronomy, or science fiction the likes of which you find in pulp magazines or obscure online communities, this game is for you. If you loved Noctis IV, Star Control 2, Elite, the X series, this game is for you. If you love Starbound, RimWorld, Terraria, MineCraft, this game is for you.

    It's an accomplishment that few others have managed to rival, let alone come near to rivaling.

    Not everyone will agree with this, but those people aren't who this game was meant for. Hello Games and Sean Murray had a vision, that they laid bare since he beginning. That vision has come to reality and it is magnificent. I am excited to see where they take it from here.    … Expand
  5. ahdavies6
    Aug 11, 2016
    10
    It's as simple as this: do you like the idea of spending lots of time exploring, by yourself, just for the sake of exploring? If the answer is yes, buy this game, STAT. If the answer is no, you're probably not going to enjoy it very much. Users (and many critics) are comparing it to their own hopes of what it could have been, but if you hold this game to exactly what the developers said itIt's as simple as this: do you like the idea of spending lots of time exploring, by yourself, just for the sake of exploring? If the answer is yes, buy this game, STAT. If the answer is no, you're probably not going to enjoy it very much. Users (and many critics) are comparing it to their own hopes of what it could have been, but if you hold this game to exactly what the developers said it would be, you see it for what it is: a masterpiece of procedural generation, and a strikingly beautiful indicator of where gaming may head in the future.… Expand
  6. jasonsalley
    Aug 10, 2016
    10
    This game is not for everyone. If you need combat, and constant action this game is not for you. If you like exploring and grinding this game is for you. That should have been very apparent pre-release.

    The bizarre hostility towards this game from, probably **** is likely largely from people who haven't played it, aren't going to play it and just think they know they hate it. There is    This game is not for everyone. If you need combat, and constant action this game is not for you. If you like exploring and grinding this game is for you. That should have been very apparent pre-release.

    The bizarre hostility towards this game from, probably **** is likely largely from people who haven't played it, aren't going to play it and just think they know they hate it. There is absolutely no way you can play this and give it anything less than a 6.

    That being said you have to take what has been said about this game on both sides with a grain of salt. It may be breathtaking in scope and size but as far as I have seen it's mostly the "same" on the planets (I've only been to about 5 so far.). But that doesn't mean it isn't a fantastic game.

    I believe they will add more as time goes on (because they said they would)    … Expand
  7. LukaasMarx
    Aug 11, 2016
    10
    this game is so good, and unique.. but it's not for everyone.. i always love the universe.. and i got so imersive into this game, i love how the game works and makes me wanna discover all different planets.. i think i play 70+ hours and i still into this,, the review is 50/50 i think half of people gets whats is the meaning of the game
  8. TempestLight
    Aug 10, 2016
    10
    Ten years in the making. An (almost) overly ambitious change in environmental story telling, with proceduraly generated planets; taking the assembly of which away from artists and leaving to the computer system you are using. A huge amount of media coverage and hype. Set backs, delays, hear-say, rumor and speculation.

    Now it is here. No Man's Sky available on the PS4 and by the 12th of    Ten years in the making. An (almost) overly ambitious change in environmental story telling, with proceduraly generated planets; taking the assembly of which away from artists and leaving to the computer system you are using. A huge amount of media coverage and hype. Set backs, delays, hear-say, rumor and speculation.

    Now it is here. No Man's Sky available on the PS4 and by the 12th of August, for PC owners too; and, so, what are we left with? An experience that can be conveyed as simply 'outstanding'.

    All games, to different degrees, use the virtual environments within them to help tell a story, or more accurately to create an experience. Since virtual environments became a viable option for the home computer game market; some games have, in the past, demonstrated that even when other elements that we have come to expect in many genres of gaming (such as story-telling, characterization, clear plot progression) fail, those games have still held the attention of many players who find something in the experience that overrides those components.

    Well, let us not jump to the conclusion that there is no story or plot here! However, like the best open world rpgs; that story is largely created by you and your interaction with the most immense playing area that we are ever likely to see. The main thread that acts as a form of direction for the general player. is the simple objective of reaching the center of the universe. However, don't be fooled by that; as even that task is not a small feat and the sheer enormity of this mega-verse comes in to sharp focus.

    No Man's Sky is a game that can just keep on going and going. Although certain elements of game-play will become repetitive (this is a capitulate of all games); the possibilities for exploration, creating in-game player items; combat; and soon multi-player interaction mean that even if the 'end' of the game is reaching the center of the universe, that is not really an end; but, potentially, just a beginning. Perhaps, as if only just having completed the Introduction to a huge epic book that you will write for yourself.

    We recently saw a huge influx of open world games (Fallout4, The Witcher3, MGS5, GT5, Mad Max, etc.), but as it stands; No Man's Sky could easily declare itself as an open Universe game.

    This game really is something quite unique; it hits you with completely immersive atmospheric and environmental story-telling and then gives you enough trinkets on top to keep you entertained and curious enough to just want more. That is the essence of gaming, the basics; and on that solid base we have a gem. A masterpiece that is pushing the boundaries; and not everyone will be intelligent enough to understand why.

    No Man's Sky is readily welcomed by this reviewer, who strongly feels that he will continue returning to this game long after I have achieved any goals that I set mid-term.    … Expand
  9. True__Fiction
    Aug 10, 2016
    10
    It looks good, it's fun to play, there is a lot to explore, the dev's WILL add more. The developers at Hello Games have done an incredible job with the hand they've been dealt. The release version is not a perfect 10/10, but I trust that by the time they are done with this game it will be. While it may not be perfect right now, if this was the end product I still think it would have beenIt looks good, it's fun to play, there is a lot to explore, the dev's WILL add more. The developers at Hello Games have done an incredible job with the hand they've been dealt. The release version is not a perfect 10/10, but I trust that by the time they are done with this game it will be. While it may not be perfect right now, if this was the end product I still think it would have been worth every penny. Don't listen to the people giving this game a low score. It may not be what you were expecting, but it is still a great game.… Expand
  10. foofiders
    Aug 11, 2016
    10
    easily best game i have ever played, incredibly, massive, tons to explore, even more to do. I have never been amazed by a game this much in years. 10/10
  11. Ikenda
    Aug 3, 2017
    9
    I understand people nagging about the boredom of No Man's Sky. What they don't understand is that they simply don't like survival-exploration games. I love them. And No Man's Sky is the biggest and most ambitious. Imagine if they put more things in the future as the trend is today with dlc, free or not. I love it. 40 hours in since launch and infinity awaits.
  12. vreynauld
    Aug 14, 2016
    2
    No Man's Sky is a shining example that procedurally generated content is only as strong as the gameplay elements around it and cannot, with its current limitations, be the core gameplay in and of itself. Exploration wears thin after only a few hours once it sinks in that each planet is very similar to the last and there's almost no diversity in design. There's no rhyme or reason to how theNo Man's Sky is a shining example that procedurally generated content is only as strong as the gameplay elements around it and cannot, with its current limitations, be the core gameplay in and of itself. Exploration wears thin after only a few hours once it sinks in that each planet is very similar to the last and there's almost no diversity in design. There's no rhyme or reason to how the system designs planets so you may just stumble across a planet that's listed as Extreme Heat, suffers from periodic fire storms that pushes the temperature over 250C, and has not a single bit of water, yet somehow has more animals and plant life than a temperate water world. I'd like to say this is an exaggeration but it isn't.

    The other AI lifeforms in this game are stereotypes: greed driven trader race, mindless warrior race, advanced electronic race. They don't do anything of consequence except sit around in various huts waiting for you to stumble by to solve their ridiculously easy puzzles. Your existence as a player is solely to go from planet to planet, destroying the natural resources to build more fuel and materials in order to go to another planet and do the same thing. Over and over again. In a quest to... well, do nothing really. There's a quasi-goal of getting to the center of the galaxy but nothing ever explains why this is meaningful.

    This is probably one of the most shallow games I've had the misfortune of playing. The survival elements barely exist because the game almost never puts the player in dire situations and is guilty of giving the player all the tools necessary to avert any crisis early in the playtime. The exploration is just dull and unrewarding and the items you can learn to craft are so few that you'll have learned them all - with exception to the damned Atlas Pass v2 and v3 - in less than 10 hours if you explore an entire system or two.

    Make no mistake, this game isn't getting hate because people dislike the genre, it's getting hate because it's a terrible game. It tries to do a bunch of different things and fails at all of them (and frequently reminds you of these failures with crashes to the dashboard and a frustratingly clunky UI).    … Expand
  13. dunnyone
    Aug 18, 2016
    8
    All these negative reviews. Did everyone here who gives this gem a low score, actually play the game? Did you even experience it? After coming off Dark Souls series, FTL and a hundred other games that just want to face f--k you, No Man's Sky is a pleasure. I did not follow the hype, and I hate survival games, but I love this.

    A little preface: my father recently passed away and of    All these negative reviews. Did everyone here who gives this gem a low score, actually play the game? Did you even experience it? After coming off Dark Souls series, FTL and a hundred other games that just want to face f--k you, No Man's Sky is a pleasure. I did not follow the hype, and I hate survival games, but I love this.

    A little preface: my father recently passed away and of course, there is a lot of guilt and regret that follows the death of a parent. When I discovered that I can name planets, animals, galaxies and so on, I started naming everything after my dad or, "is he here?" "Planet Dad" and so on. In a sense, my trip through the galaxy becomes an epic journey to connect with my father on some level, even though I can't. In my mind, he is literally one planet or galaxy ahead of me, and since the game is "endless" I can continue to mourn and play.

    Besides this unforeseen positive effect, the game is marvelous. You can't die (well, you can, but it's highly unlikely), the music is a delight and it runs like a polished game should (even though it has many rough edges). Besides, when was the last time you took a moment to relax and just stare into the distance once you've ascended a giant mountain. No game has kept me this captivated and content.

    10/10 would play for therapy again.    … Expand
  14. Lunossm
    Aug 11, 2016
    5
    Esperava um pouco mais além da exploração de mundos, a falta de multiplayer também é desanimadora. O game possuía elementos para se tornar uma grande franquia, masquem sabe em uma segunda versão os erros não sejam corrigidos(ou quem sabe em uma dlc)
  15. Cmdrsabre
    Aug 12, 2016
    8
    The Game is a controversy itself. It depends on what you expect.
    It is not:
    - Master of Orion (Diplomatics and technology) - Elite Dangerous (trading and fighting) - Star Citizen (everything) - Multiplayer But it gives a great experience if you love to roam a around in strange new worlds, explore thins, be the first to see something and name it. Gather resources by trying to avoid    The Game is a controversy itself. It depends on what you expect.
    It is not:
    - Master of Orion (Diplomatics and technology)
    - Elite Dangerous (trading and fighting)
    - Star Citizen (everything)
    - Multiplayer

    But it gives a great experience if you love to roam a around in strange new worlds, explore thins, be the first to see something and name it. Gather resources by trying to avoid to destroy the nature (or you will be punished be drones). You will learn about technology and culture of a galactic race, trade goods with them to earn credits to buy other goods or even new ships. to have more capacity or better weapons, etc. But that's just a tool for you, to explore more und more. You can spend days exploring just one planet and will not even know half of the planet.
    If you love what you read here, you will love No Man's Sky. If you want more or something different, well then the game is not for you.
    I'm very curios what the developers bring with add-ons. As far as they announced, they don't know it and want too see what people like and want...
    Well for my part: Much bigger ships for interplanetary mining and trading
    And yes, multiplayer could be much fun, but I don't know how to fit it in, not to destroy the lonely-explorer feeling. Maybe a option for friends to start on the same planet...    … Expand
  16. DeviMon1
    Aug 12, 2016
    8
    This is exactly what I was hoping for. Space Opera science fiction is my favorite genre for movies and novels, yet I have never found a space flight game that could really pull me in. After only 6-8 hours with this game, I am happy to say I have found one for me. This game has a ton of depth, a very interesting universe to explore and decent combat mechanics. I was surprised that theThis is exactly what I was hoping for. Space Opera science fiction is my favorite genre for movies and novels, yet I have never found a space flight game that could really pull me in. After only 6-8 hours with this game, I am happy to say I have found one for me. This game has a ton of depth, a very interesting universe to explore and decent combat mechanics. I was surprised that the masses were as interested in this game as they were when it was announced, it seemed like a pretty niche game. I can't help but feel like a lot of the negative reviews are people who the game quite simply wasn't made for.

    If you are an action game junkie or someone that only ever plays AAA games, be wary, this is an independent game that got its scope blown up because of hype. It may not be your cup of tea. However, if exploring space and experiencing the scope of the universe while surviving in hostile environments and just enjoying the immersion of it all, sounds like your cup of tea, you should definitely pick it up.    … Expand
  17. VinsonMor
    Aug 12, 2016
    7
    Game Reviews

    No Man’s Sky No Man's Sky is a technological and artistic wonder, but - as a game - it's not very good. I'm sure by now you've heard all the press about the 80Q (Quadrillion) stars out there. That they're all generated by some art-code love-child called procedural generation. People say this is an epic achievement in game design. It is. That's all true. And the    Game Reviews

    No Man’s Sky
    No Man's Sky is a technological and artistic wonder, but - as a game - it's not very good.

    I'm sure by now you've heard all the press about the 80Q (Quadrillion) stars out there. That they're all generated by some art-code love-child called procedural generation. People say this is an epic achievement in game design.

    It is.

    That's all true. And the fact Hello Games does it in a way that is compelling, interesting, and believable should earn them the Academy Award for Technical Achievement (or whatever the game equivalent is).

    But unless you're in The Industry (like me), that is probably hard to appreciate on it's own...especially after you've shelled out $60! But if you've made that poor decision - as I did - you'll have to live with the fact you now own a storied piece of academic gaming history with no real commercial merit. Kinda like owning an OUYA. Also like me. Okay, so I am an epic sucker for unrealized potential.

    And Unrealized Potential is the subscript for No Man’s Sky.

    Right from the get-go, there is very little "game". In order for a game to exist (or at least be interesting) you have to have an objective. At the start, the objective is "fix this busted ass spaceship you're standing next to". Interesting, but far from epic. But as a dutiful gamer, I did as I was told. This led to several hours of fixing this thing or that which was significantly purloined by all the optional side-questing (I'm easily distracted). I really should put "side quest" in quotes, because these shiny objects I was lured toward didn't fit into some grand story arc either. They just were question marks...?...on the map I stumbled upon in my random exploring. Most led to marginal increases in my wealth - achieved through the mind-blowing game mechanic of opening chests - but every once in 2-3 hours I got a much needed upgrade to my limited starting inventory slots.

    Ten-odd hours in and I still had no idea what I was doing or why. Some of this was not undesirable. I had some fun cataloging new discoveries, leveling up my mining tools, and exploring new worlds. Until I realized every world looked like Utah on hallucinogens. Forget that crazy trailer you saw with the brontosaurus and triceratops creatures stomping through flowing fields of purple wheat. Nothing in the game actually looks like that. NOTHING.

    Okay, at least nothing of the 0.00000000000019% of the NMS universe that I saw.

    Instead imagine visiting the Moon, with some plants, odd crystals, and deer-like thingys...all cast in various psychedelic colors.

    Then repeat that. Over, and over. With the occasional generic encampment with 2-3 interactive console and pithy story segments.

    Even the character/item advancement is bland and frustratingly bloated. Instead of earning permanent upgrades, you have to use your valuable inventory slots to hold upgrades for your, weaponry, mining equipment, etc..

    I bet you’re super psyched now huh?

    I shouldn’t be so harsh. It’s not that exploring isn't fun. It is. Marginally so. For the first ten hours. Then the rest is rinse-and-repeat. Again, there is no game here. There's no objective. It's exactly UNlike Skyrim which has layers of story, a tapestry of small-medium-large quests, and honed character advancement. In NMS there is just never-ending exploration among worlds that are kinda all the same.

    Don’t fear: there is one objective in the game. To get to the center of the universe! There’s only one problem: it takes too durn long to achieve. I had spent my first ten hours accumulating my first 5M credits. (We'll put to the side for a second that was achieved through a series of excruciatingly monotonous mining exercises that made Minecraft seem like a day in a forest made of chocolate, rainbow sprinkles, and cherry juice).

    To the Center of the Universe, I came up with roughly 100 hours of gameplay remaining....in a repetitive...boring...wasteland...that looks like Utah...on LSD.

    Keep in mind my estimate was for straight-line space travel, which would make sense given space is a frictionless, mostly empty, vacuum, but in NMS you actually have to backtrack between stars. So assume 100+ hours.

    No thanks.

    You probably never want to play this game now. No, you should! Definitely. In fact, I feel so strongly you should I can easily predict there will be a time - years from now - when you'll be talking with your kids at home or coworkers at the office about the latest VR blockbuster and someone will say it's what NMS should have been. If you don't play this "game", you won't get that reference! And I'm sure that reference will be made as NMS is a notable bookmark in the pages of technical, artistic, and - okay fine - game design.

    So, wait for the inevitable price discount. Feel okay at $40, better at $20, and rapturous at $10.

    But no matter what, play it. It's an achievement.

    (Just not a very fun game.)    … Expand
  18. dave307
    Aug 11, 2016
    10
    great game not what I was expecting but still a joy to play. the game has a beautiful art style which is surprising in a procedurally generated world. it's the most fun I've had in ages

    it's a crafting survival and exploration game the kind of game I love.
  19. Carsers
    Aug 12, 2016
    9
    For me this game is everything I hoped it would be from when I first heard about it. At the start the game does a good job at pointing you in the right direction for the basics such as crafting. The feeling of loneliness and overall atmosphere is spot on. Graphics up close are a bit poor however on the scale of things look breath taking. Ever being able to look up I wanted to see whatFor me this game is everything I hoped it would be from when I first heard about it. At the start the game does a good job at pointing you in the right direction for the basics such as crafting. The feeling of loneliness and overall atmosphere is spot on. Graphics up close are a bit poor however on the scale of things look breath taking. Ever being able to look up I wanted to see what space would be like, this is the closest you can get to that for now. Planets dwarf you ship on approach and and overwhelm you as you break through the atmosphere. Each planets have so much for you to do and look for, you can spend hours lost inside the caves of a toxic planet, discovering new wildlife or interacting with alien races. The only reason I'm not giving this a 10 is because I would have liked a fully customisable character and the in flight combat is a bit annoying.… Expand
  20. getrektm9
    Aug 15, 2016
    0
    This game "is not for everyone." If you like having fun, "this game is not for you."

    All the landscapes, fauna, and flora are pretty much the same with different skins. There's really nothing to do unless you like looking at sameness. And so much for "explore, trade, fight, survive." The combat is garbage and if you've explored one planet you've explored them all. We'll see if the    This game "is not for everyone." If you like having fun, "this game is not for you."

    All the landscapes, fauna, and flora are pretty much the same with different skins. There's really nothing to do unless you like looking at sameness. And so much for "explore, trade, fight, survive." The combat is garbage and if you've explored one planet you've explored them all.

    We'll see if the DLCs offer any fixes to this game but I'm not going to hold my breath. Bad game is bad.    … Expand
  21. IllusiveRaven
    Aug 16, 2016
    0
    The game is a over priced indie game. Worth $25 most. That being said its not a bad game, is it ground breaking? Is it going to have you sinking hours upon hours exploring these countless random planets? Is it fun? No, no and no. Its just a typical survival game, not the best one at that. With repetitive gameplay, mediocre graphics, (the colour scheme is nice.) how can anyone enjoy puttingThe game is a over priced indie game. Worth $25 most. That being said its not a bad game, is it ground breaking? Is it going to have you sinking hours upon hours exploring these countless random planets? Is it fun? No, no and no. Its just a typical survival game, not the best one at that. With repetitive gameplay, mediocre graphics, (the colour scheme is nice.) how can anyone enjoy putting in hours of their lives into this game? Wait for a sale or pass, its not worth it.… Expand
  22. Mycatrules
    Aug 9, 2016
    10
    This game has been on my watch-list for a long time and i have to say, it may not have lived up to its over-hype, but it did leave a lasting impact on me due to it's amazing soundtrack, art, and worlds. Thank you Hello Games for making this wonderful game. :^)
  23. ProxyNomine
    Aug 9, 2016
    10
    So I have seen some really bad reviews on here and if you have played the game at all you will know right away that they are lies. Some talk about Micro-transaction but the problem is there are NO micro-transactions in the game. They talk about it being empty and only playing for 4 hours on one planet! These are people that are either fake reviews from people that have never played orSo I have seen some really bad reviews on here and if you have played the game at all you will know right away that they are lies. Some talk about Micro-transaction but the problem is there are NO micro-transactions in the game. They talk about it being empty and only playing for 4 hours on one planet! These are people that are either fake reviews from people that have never played or morons that didn't do ANY research before buying and it's not fair to blame the game when the player is to stupid to read.

    The game is great, if you love survival/crafting and space this is for you. And remember there next update will have base building. Check there official patch notes on there site it's at the bottom where Sean says "base building and owning giant frieghters" so play on everyone!    … Expand
  24. HatakeKakashi55
    Aug 10, 2016
    8
    This is the first review I have ever written on Metacritic, and I feel that with all of the hype and controversy surrounding No Man's Sky, it is a good place to start. Let me simply begin by stating that I intend to be completely honest with this review. Contrary to the multitude of extremely negative reviews, this game is NOT a bad game. It is by no means perfect, and has a multitude ofThis is the first review I have ever written on Metacritic, and I feel that with all of the hype and controversy surrounding No Man's Sky, it is a good place to start. Let me simply begin by stating that I intend to be completely honest with this review. Contrary to the multitude of extremely negative reviews, this game is NOT a bad game. It is by no means perfect, and has a multitude of flaws, however, overall it is a fun and unique experience unlike anything currently on the market. The biggest problem with the game is not the game in and of itself, but more so the way that the game was perceived by the gaming community. When No Man's Sky was first introduced to the public several years ago, hype went through the roof. The beautiful setting, a promise of billions of varied planets, and new and unique game elements such as naming discovered planets and creatures as well as seamless planet surface to orbit spaceship travel all seemed too good to be true. While the trailer did an excellent job of amazing us, it was also rather vague and mysterious. This led to people interpreting the game in all sorts of different ways. Some people imagined massive planetary shoot-outs. Others imagined roaming the stars with friends. Some imagined encountering massive alien cities and deep, complex character side quests within these cities. Because of an initial lack of clarification with what this game actually was meant to be... this game became all things to all people, and our expectations exceeded what was ever even possible or meant to be. Hello Games did try to tone down the hype, explaining that their would be no giant cities, multiplayer would be nigh impossible, and procedural generation would prevent any "scripted" story line. However, this came a bit late, and at this point people's imaginations had taken over. No Man's Sky had become more than an upcoming game, it had become an idea. The idea that a small studio, which actually cared about it's fans, could create a masterpiece that would out-do even the richest of AAA developers. A game that would have everything. A game that would redefine gaming as we know it. Their was no way that this game could ever live up to such lofty expectations, and now fans are faced with the reality that this wasn't the game that "they" as individuals had imagined. While Hello Games tried to tone down the hype and explain that this was primarily an exploration game, people already had their own views of what this game "would and should be" stuck in their heads. When I began playing, I too had my lofty expectations. I really did hope for an infinite space Skyrim/ Minecraft of sorts. However, when I was able to take a step back, and play this game the way that developers had intended for me to play it, rather than the way I had imagined it would be, I found that the game was actually rather good. It may not have been what I wanted or expected, but that didn't mean it was bad. I enjoy being able to go down to a planet and not know what to expect. When you do find other intelligent species (NPC's) scattered sparsely throughout the galaxy it's a cool and rewarding experience. Their are A LOT of things to do, some more in depth than others. The complaint that their isn't enough to do is a rather silly one in my opinion. I've spent hours of fun exploring just one planet, and never getting bored. I've searched caves for rare materials, looked for outposts where I've come across some very interesting NPC scientists, found a distress signal pointing to ruins of an ancient civilization, searched ancient glyphs to learn a new alien language, found chests filled with ship, suit, and weapon upgrade blueprints, documented mushroom deer, come across outposts that had been abandoned hastily in response to what appeared to be experiments gone wrong, Found giant Alien Monoliths which have... done.... something.... cool? and more. And that was all on one planet. This game may not be what you imagined, but it is not bad. Not bad at all. So for now, I'll be drifting among the stars looking for my next planetary adventure.… Expand
  25. mvid
    Aug 10, 2016
    9
    I think this game is brilliant for an indie studio! It may be that the price a slight bit too high right now for what it is, but for people that like the idea of a sandbox space exploration game, the price is still definitely worth it. For everyone else, just a wait a while as I predict it will be going on sale fairly soon (surely will be considerably cheaper by the fall). Is gameplayI think this game is brilliant for an indie studio! It may be that the price a slight bit too high right now for what it is, but for people that like the idea of a sandbox space exploration game, the price is still definitely worth it. For everyone else, just a wait a while as I predict it will be going on sale fairly soon (surely will be considerably cheaper by the fall). Is gameplay repetitive? Sure, but it's kind of addictive, wondering what the next planet will be like. For example, I know there are huge creatures on some worlds, and even though I've been to about 20 planets already I have yet to see any. I only found 1 planet so far with water (and a lot of it!). There was plenty of gameplay to watch before this game officially released. Go watch some gameplay now! If you think it's cool, get it!… Expand
  26. Jacketrooper
    Aug 10, 2016
    0
    They have openly lied about the multiplayer capabilities. That's really all it takes to decide for me, yet the dev keeps denying and dodging this question. It's shady and pathethic.
  27. bilferty
    Aug 9, 2016
    9
    I think it is unfair for anyone to give the game a 0 or 1 because they think it is boring. This game was NEVER sold as anything more then an exploration game. All of those trailer NEVER showed anything besides exploring, naming, basic shooter combat, trading, and space combat. What were people expecting? The Devs never lied about anything (to my knowledge) that is missing. It is exactlyI think it is unfair for anyone to give the game a 0 or 1 because they think it is boring. This game was NEVER sold as anything more then an exploration game. All of those trailer NEVER showed anything besides exploring, naming, basic shooter combat, trading, and space combat. What were people expecting? The Devs never lied about anything (to my knowledge) that is missing. It is exactly what It looked like. You find cool trippy looking planets, befriend cool trippy looking creatures who you give trippy names, and you harvest trippy plants and minerals. Then there are also cool little word puzzles to solve to get you better gear to get closer to the center. I love this game. Meditative fun exploration and survival. If you are looking for grand space sim or a grand story look elsewhere, but even still the game does not deserve a 0. What is has it does well, a 0 would be a broken game. I can't give it a 10 based on the same logic, a 10 is a perfect game, and no one thing in this world is perfect, but No Man's Sky is damned close.… Expand
  28. Vble
    Aug 9, 2016
    3
    Exploration is fantastic in the first few hours as you try to let your imagination and high hopes carry you through the endless yet utterly dull universe.

    Let's get straight to the point. While exploring a seemingly infinite universe conceptually is appealing. The graphics are on par with something from last gen at best. There is little to no content to be found and the game is more of    Exploration is fantastic in the first few hours as you try to let your imagination and high hopes carry you through the endless yet utterly dull universe.

    Let's get straight to the point. While exploring a seemingly infinite universe conceptually is appealing. The graphics are on par with something from last gen at best. There is little to no content to be found and the game is more of a mindless resource grind for no apparent reason other than to try and call that some slap of content. There isn't any multiplayer even though the developers spouted that there would be (Albeit Minimal). And even exploring gets dull as you quickly come to find out that everything you explore is EXACTLY like the last, Except it has been given a different color.

    In the end, I would NOT recommend "No Mans Sky" to anyone, Not even to fans of bland exploration genre games. As it is just not worth the 60$ purchase.

    No Mans Sky ends up being another failed game where developers promise the universe (literally) and end up delivering nothing at all.    … Expand
  29. nicevir
    Aug 9, 2016
    10
    Brilliant game! I love the exploration and mechanics of the game. This game is not for everyone but for anyone with an open mind and a love for exploration, then this is for you!
  30. DiarrheaKing
    Aug 10, 2016
    9
    Gaming has come along way. From appealing to super nerds to becoming an incredibly popular source of media consumption. With mass media consumption, sometimes the most popular things can get reduced to the lowest common denominator. Thankfully, the gaming industry, in particular indie developers, can still take risks and produce unusual, creative video games that happen to also to beGaming has come along way. From appealing to super nerds to becoming an incredibly popular source of media consumption. With mass media consumption, sometimes the most popular things can get reduced to the lowest common denominator. Thankfully, the gaming industry, in particular indie developers, can still take risks and produce unusual, creative video games that happen to also to be marketed to the masses.

    While I am not too far in the game yet, No Man's Sky has been an experience that is rather unique. It borrows ideas from many open-ended, exploration games (like Minecraft), but has a clear direction of the type of game it wants to be ~ a game for explorers, not achievers, or multiplayer show-offs, or min-max competitive gamers. People often forget that other people not only have different tastes but also have different personalities, and these different personalities will want different types of experiences. Because of mainstream gaming trends over the past two decades, gaming has produced a certain mainstream audience. This mainstream audience creates a cultural dogma that expects certain characteristics to qualify a game as a "good" game.

    If you want to go in expecting some crazy AAA title experience, don't get the game. If you are expecting deep systems such as complex yet derivative crafting and battle systems that you can get in hundreds of other games, then don't get this game. If you want another linear yet rich experience just like Journey or Abzu, be careful about getting this game. Watch videos and read critic reviews when they come out. The game is pretty much what I expected from previews and I am not disappointed as a whole. Yes, there are many issues in the game, but I've also had many moments of wonder, moments I would not have in most other games.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2016
2
#2 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 96 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 96
  2. Mixed: 54 out of 96
  3. Negative: 1 out of 96
  1. GameCritics
    May 8, 2020
    80
    While I’m sure developer Hello Games is still tweaking things and perhaps even creating more content for No Man’s Sky, the current state of affairs is a strong one. This galactic opus still offers an infinite amount of content for those who want to lose themselves among the stars, but now also contains a concrete throughline that will satisfy a wider array of players. It can be irritating at times, but it’s also full of stunning moments and the satisfaction of building a virtual life among the stars. Four years after launch, it’s finally a journey worth taking.
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  2. BaziCenter
    Feb 10, 2017
    60
    The world of No Man's Sky is insanely vast and beautiful, but there’s nothing to do in it! There’s no goal, no destination, no ending, nothing!
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  3. Easy Allies
    Dec 1, 2016
    60
    While No Man's Sky is engrossing for the first few hours, repetition starts to set in and the proceedings grow dull. The developers stated that they plan to add significant features such as base building which could dramatically change the game for the better. There's a promising foundation present, so it's possible to envision a more substantial game down the line. As it currently stands, though, our excitement to cross the universe faded sooner than we expected.
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