I still remember it well: when No Man's Sky was released in 2016, I was immediately enthralled. The idea of an entire universe that is procedurally generated and includes a multitude of alien worlds, planets and life forms gives the impression of a science fiction dream. However, it turned out that the expectations of the game did not match the actual features. Many fans felt disappointed, and Hello Games faced major challenges.
Nine years later, there is no longer any sign of this. No Man's Sky is an outstanding example of how a game can be successfully redesigned. With the new Voyagers update, the Space adventure has seen significant progress.
A No Man's Sky that never stops growing
The 6.0 update contains numerous improvements and bug fixes. The update extends No Man's Sky with features that will surprise even experienced players. For the first time, it is possible to completely customize the interior of the spaceships. The new corvette class is characterized by its size, modularity and accessibility. It has a cockpit, living quarters and a kitchen where meals can be prepared for the crew.
For me as a sci-fi and exploration fan, this is exactly the nerve that Hello Games needed to strike. The ship now gives the impression that it is my home - and not just a means of transportation between the stars. A special feature is the ability to bring friends on board as fellow passengers and travel through space together. However, the update offers even more improvements: Multiplayer missions, a new spacesuit, revamped lighting and even the integration of NVIDIA DLSS 4 for smoother gameplay, especially in VR.
From the biggest disappointment to the biggest comeback
That No Man's Sky is being celebrated today is nothing short of a miracle. Because after the disastrous launch in 2016, the brand seemed to have been burned. Many of the features announced at the time, such as multiplayer, base building and missions, were simply missing. But instead of giving up, Hello Games began to implement everything bit by bit.
Initially, base building, vehicles and story elements were added, followed by a full multiplayer experience with the NEXT update. VR, expeditions, seasonal missions and countless new game modes followed later. Today No Man's Sky no longer has anything in common with the original version - and I mean that in the best sense of the word.
For me personally, it is one of the most impressive games ever. I've spent countless hours in the cockpit, cataloging planets and building my own little base on a poisonous green moon. No Man's Sky is by no means just a game, but an ongoing project, a digital universe that continues to unfold with each passing year.
Voyagers, visions and the future
The fact that No Man's Sky still feels so lively in 2025 is not only due to the updates, but also to the clear philosophy of Hello Games. The studio, which currently employs around 50 people, focuses on long-term development rather than quick successors. And it pays off: over 100,000 simultaneous players on Steam prove that this strategy works. Without microtransactions, without paywalls - instead with honest work, continuity and passion. That's a rarity these days.
Hello Games is also looking ahead with the upcoming open-world game Light No Fire, which takes place on a single giant planet, long beyond the edge of the universe. They want to use the findings from No Man's Sky directly. Many of the technologies from the Voyagers update will also be used there. It seems that every new feature in No Man's Sky at the same time a testing ground for the future.
No Man's Sky was and remains one of my favorites
In the history of video games, there have been No Man's Sky managed to transform itself from a disaster into a legend. From a once overambitious flop to perhaps the most consistent long-term project in gaming history, the science fiction adventure has not only burned itself into the hearts of gamers, but after this long period of time also serves as a memorial to hasty releases and greedy publishers.
I am honestly glad that No Man's Sky all these years. Because now, after this long journey, I am being rewarded for not giving up. Today I am gliding through a huge, living universe in which every galaxy, every planet and even the smallest moment is tangibly breathing. What was once just a promise has finally become a reality (and almost within reach.)
