No Man Sky offers a procedurally generated universe that no other game, as of yet, can render on such a scale; geometrically and harmoniously refined in shapes, an art style rich in colours and textures; of beautiful, harsh, dangerous, tranquil, bizarre, etc. environments, which are either abundant and immersive, or barren and yet imposing. Fertile worlds offer the opportunity of discovering creatures that can be majestic, enchanting, violent and ugly; a universe that you can explore to your heart’s content across hundreds of galaxies. The sounds and music complement each planetary system you enter, every planet you land on, each cave you explore, and each sea you dive into. Did I mention how great the sound track is? Well it is, Music for an Infinite Universe, 65DAYSOFSTATIC. Encountering Lore is a discovery in itself. Instead of a single story, the focus is presented as a consistent narrative from different perspectives as you explore. Dave Gibbons (Watchmen, Kingsman, 2000 AD) and James Swallow (Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Star Trek), have contributed to the lore of the game. Of course no one will ever see it all, but it’s a fascinating creation all the same. Simply put, your role is that of a lone explorer, seeking out worlds for the purpose of researching, cataloguing and naming; worlds, flora and fauna. Learning the languages of the alien races you meet, working towards completing your starship, your exosuit and your multi-tool. A lonely, science-fiction adventure of exploration if you like, which you embark on and that should be appreciated for the journey, and not the end. But a creation on such a scale does have its limits, it’s only to be expected. It has been said that it is an ocean a mile wide, but shallow in content. Which to be honest is true, the game is incomplete, it is lacking in content and people have been very vocal in their complaints, which is clear from the reviews. There are posts/reviews that detail these deficiencies, which might over time be remedied, if its creators choose to improve the experience with more content. The flaws have been documented, they are known, and it’s up to Hello Games to take their ‘labour of love’ from this beginning, where it is now, to where they dreamed it would go and where their customers were hoping it should be. Do I recommend it, personally I do, and I continue to enjoy the journey, which is why I have decided to give it a positive review. But in the end you should do your research and decide if it’s for you or not. The journey is long, and a love for exploration is a key prerequisite.
