Do You Lose Everything When You Complete No Man’s Sky? A Comprehensive Guide
The short answer is: no, you don’t lose everything when you complete the main storyline of No Man’s Sky. While a major shift occurs, akin to starting a “New Game+” in other titles, your progress isn’t entirely wiped. Think of it more as a transition to a new chapter in your galactic saga, rather than a complete reset. The ending of the main quest does not delete your collected items, milestones, or hard-earned progress.
However, there’s a crucial caveat to this seemingly optimistic outlook: gear damage. Upon transitioning to a new galaxy, all of your equipped technology and starship components will sustain heavy damage, requiring significant repair. It’s as if your interstellar travel was a little too rough on your equipment. Therefore, a smart player will prepare beforehand, stocking up on repair materials to address these issues quickly and get back to exploring.
Understanding the Galactic Reset
The ending sequence of No Man’s Sky centers around the concept of galactic rebirth. You’re given a choice to select one of four different galaxy types, each offering a unique gameplay experience. This choice determines the characteristics of the galaxy you’ll be entering:
- Normal (Euclid): The starting galaxy. Balances resources, dangers, and overall experience.
- Harsh (Calypso): Features more frequent extreme weather events and aggressive sentinel activity. A survivalist’s paradise (or nightmare!).
- Empty (Hilbert Dimension): Boasts a higher frequency of lush, paradise planets, but resources can be scarcer.
- Lush (Eissentam): Offers more frequent beautiful lush worlds, making it a popular choice for those who want to build bases in tranquil settings.
Regardless of your choice, you’ll find yourself on the outskirts of your new galaxy. This is a significant shift, but it isn’t a complete loss. You retain:
- Your inventory, including all the materials, resources, and crafted items you’ve accumulated.
- Your milestones and progress in various areas, reflecting your dedication to the game.
- Your blueprint knowledge, meaning you won’t have to rediscover how to build specific technologies.
- Your acquired skills, granting you advantages in exploration, combat, and resource management.
What you will need to contend with is the damaged state of your equipment and the challenge of establishing yourself in a new, unfamiliar galaxy. This creates a compelling reason to continue playing, providing a fresh sense of purpose and exploration.
Preparing for the Transition
The key to a smooth transition is preparation. Before initiating the final sequence, consider these tips:
- Stockpile Repair Materials: Gather ample quantities of essential materials like Ferrite Dust, Carbon, Sodium, Oxygen, and Chromatic Metal. These are fundamental for repairing most damaged equipment.
- Fully Charge Life Support and Hazard Protection: Ensure your exosuit systems are fully charged, as you may find yourself in a hostile environment immediately after the transition.
- Empty Inventory Slots: Maximize your inventory space to accommodate any new resources you acquire in the new galaxy.
- Consider Your Galaxy Choice: Research each galaxy type and choose the one that aligns best with your preferred playstyle. Do you crave a challenge, or are you seeking more peaceful exploration?
- Upload your base: To ensure that it’s safely stored.
The Ongoing Journey
No Man’s Sky is designed to be an endless game, driven by its procedural generation technology. This technology creates a universe of almost infinite possibilities, with over 18 quintillion planets to explore. The story’s conclusion isn’t an ending at all, but a stepping stone into a new, unexplored region of this vast universe.
Whether you’re a seasoned explorer, a dedicated base builder, or a budding space trader, No Man’s Sky offers something for everyone. The true value of the game lies in the freedom to chart your own course, discover new worlds, and shape your own unique galactic adventure. You can learn more about how games can inspire learning at the Games Learning Society located at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the ultimate goal of No Man’s Sky?
The overarching goal is often considered reaching the center of the galaxy. However, once you achieve this, you’re given the option to move to another galaxy. Therefore, the ‘ultimate goal’ is more accurately self-defined, with players setting their own objectives such as building a vast empire, cataloging all lifeforms, or simply exploring as much as possible.
2. How long does it take to complete the main story?
Focusing solely on the main story will likely take around 30-40 hours. However, fully experiencing everything the game has to offer and aiming for 100% completion can easily exceed 140 hours, if not much more.
3. Does No Man’s Sky have an ending?
While there is a main storyline with a concluding sequence, No Man’s Sky is designed to be an ongoing experience. The ending simply provides a transition to a new galaxy, allowing you to continue your exploration and adventures.
4. Is Earth in No Man’s Sky?
No, the Earth planet does not exist as a specific playable location in No Man’s Sky. The game’s universe is entirely procedurally generated, featuring unique and original worlds.
5. Can my base be destroyed by other players?
Yes, if you have your multiplayer settings configured to allow other players to interact with your base, they can dismantle it. You need to carefully manage your multiplayer options to prevent unwanted griefing. Uploading the base helps to create a backup.
6. Do I lose Units (in-game currency) when I die?
You do not lose Units upon death. However, you will lose the contents of your inventory (exosuit, starship, or exocraft depending on where you died), which can be recovered by returning to your death location.
7. What are the core gameplay pillars of No Man’s Sky?
The core gameplay pillars are exploration, survival, combat, trading, and base building. These elements are interwoven to create a rich and diverse gameplay experience.
8. What happens if I choose to “birth a star” at the end?
Choosing to “birth a star” will transport you to a new galaxy, and you will receive the Star Seed blueprint.
9. What are the benefits of following the Atlas Path?
Following the Atlas Path grants you warp drive fuels, some extra words to learn, and a few new technologies. The Atlas Path provides technologies and lore.
10. Can I engage in piracy in No Man’s Sky?
Yes, you can engage in piracy by attacking freighters and other ships. However, doing so will alert Sentinel forces, leading to combat.
11. How much of No Man’s Sky has been explored?
It’s estimated that only about 1% of the first galaxy (Euclid) has been explored. The other galaxies have been explored even less due to their later inclusion to the game.
12. Is No Man’s Sky randomly generated?
Yes, almost everything in No Man’s Sky is procedurally generated, including planets, creatures, ships, and items. This ensures a vast and diverse universe with almost limitless possibilities.
13. How many galaxies are there in No Man’s Sky?
There are a total of 255 unique galaxies in No Man’s Sky.
14. Can I claim a planet as my home world?
Yes, you can claim a planet as your home world by finding a Habitable Base and claiming it.
15. How long is one “Sol” in No Man’s Sky?
One Sol in No Man’s Sky is equivalent to 15 minutes of real-time. This is relevant for certain milestones and challenges that require surviving for a specific number of Sols under extreme conditions.