I've given it 2 - not because it is essentially linear, not because it is short, not because you get to a point where the kind of ending it does have is predicable, not because you walk around and interact very little with the world and finally not because there is virtually no replay-ability but because of all those things together. It is a good looking game, there a couple of "Boo!" moments that work quite well and they have the horror mood down pat. For those who have read a little you might even find some references to the works of H P Lovecraft which I thought was a nice touch. A game to kill some time with and enjoy on that level but nothing to get excited about.
No Man's Sky is one of my all time FAVOURITE GAMES! Many years ago when I got my first PC I bought a then newly released game called Riven (now available at GOG). I was completely hooked by that game. Just loved to wander around and look at everything. Ok the game play is stunted by todays standards but it was gob smacking back then. I'm running NMS on a 3 year old PC and I've had no problems with the game hanging or crashing. None. Can't say the same for some other new release games I've gotten. Most programs and games have issues when they are first released, updates and bug fixes have long been the way of things. NMS is the perfect game for going at your own pace. There is nothing compelling you to engage in a race for the centre of the Galaxy. Some people think that is the entire object of the game but you don't have to do that. If you like the spaceship you have you can keep it for as long as you like. If you just want to explore the planet you are on for as long as you like, you can. I'm not a hard core gamer, I don't pay any attention to games gossip or marketing hype - I never even heard of this game until a few weeks ago when all the negativity bleed through into my consciousness. When I read up about it I thought it actually sounded pretty cool and I was willing to give it a go - GOG money back guarantee right so nothing to lose. GOG can keep my money - I love this game, it is the perfect game for me because I just want to explore. It really isn't outcome focused so I can see myself dipping into this game off and on for years. This is a new kind of game and a lot of gamers really aren't attuned to it. If you can come to it with an open mind and bypass the hate campaign you might like it too.
I can buy this on disc for less than half the price at my local games store. Say no more.
