That first lift-off is liberating; few games give you the ability to fly to any location
is earned, a path is presented. Atlas, the mysterious governing force, is beckoning you. It’s all very Arthur C Clarke – there are even monoliths to discover, though the murderous HAL 9000 is replaced in this universe by bipedal sentinels.
Flight is a joy, but the controls feel a little loose and incorporate a cushioning effect that babysits your ability to pilot. Simply put, it means you can’t crash, which is helpful when using pulse bursts to jump between planetary bodies. It won’t be to everyone’s taste, but it does offer the chance to enjoy the stunning views.
Graphics are a real highlight of the game, with planets offering amazing vistas, and alien life, flora and fauna everywhere – and it’s all algorithmically generated. For a team of just 12 developers, it’s a massive achievement, but the experience can feel un-refined at times, and playability suffers as a result.
Those of you old enough to have enjoyed the early Elite games will recognise what’s on offer here – namely, an opportunity to explore an open-ended universe, and one that can be shaped to your preference. Every star is a system that can be visited, and with 18 quintillion of them, every game of No Man’s Sky offers a truly unique experience.
T3 rates The environments are fantastically realised and bathed in glorious lighting effects.
T3 slates The lack of multiplayer makes for a solitary adventure, and a missed opportunity.
T3 says Don’t expect to experience a grandiose storyline – the draw to play stems from a player’s desire to explore the universe; it won’t appeal to everyone.