How Long is the Artemis Path in No Man’s Sky? A Comprehensive Guide

The Artemis Path in No Man’s Sky is a pivotal questline that significantly enriches the game’s narrative and overall experience. If you’re wondering just how much time to dedicate to this storyline, the answer is: The Artemis Path typically takes players around 20-30 hours to complete, assuming you focus primarily on the main objectives. However, this can vary depending on your playstyle, whether you engage in side activities, and your familiarity with the game’s mechanics. It’s important to note that this duration is not fixed and can extend if you choose to delve deeper into exploration or base building. Now, let’s dive deeper into this topic and some frequently asked questions.

Understanding the Artemis Path

The Artemis Path is a key narrative element introduced in the Atlas Rises update, and it’s often intertwined with the original Atlas Path. Many consider it an integral part of the main storyline, guiding you through a series of quests that uncover the mysteries of the universe and your place within it. It involves interacting with various characters, solving puzzles, and traveling across multiple star systems. This narrative depth is what makes it such a compelling aspect of the game, engaging players both in story and the expansive universe around them.

Why Does Playtime Vary?

Several factors influence how long it will take you to complete the Artemis Path:

• Exploration Tendencies: Players who are naturally inclined to explore each planet thoroughly or those who spend considerable time on base construction and resource gathering will naturally have a longer play time.
• Side Activities: Engaging in activities like refining resources, trading, freighter management or multiplayer will significantly add to your time.
• Familiarity with Game Mechanics: New players will spend more time learning the ropes, which will naturally extend the time needed to complete the Artemis Path.
• Personal Play Style: Those that play more casually will often take longer to progress through the path.

Related Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further illuminate your understanding of the Artemis Path and its place within No Man’s Sky:

1. Can You Finish the Atlas Path After Artemis?

Yes, you can complete the Atlas Path after the Artemis Path. The Atlas Rises update intertwined these two major storylines. Previously, players who completed the Atlas Path before the update had to redo parts of it as the Artemis path was introduced. Many players often complete the Atlas Path first, as it was the original main quest, before moving on to the Artemis path.

2. How Long Would It Take To Fully Explore No Man’s Sky?

Trying to explore every corner of No Man’s Sky is a near impossible feat. With over 18 quintillion planets (18,446,744,073,709,551,616), at a blistering pace of one second per planet, it would take approximately five billion years. This vastness highlights the game’s scale and the essentially infinite gameplay possibilities.

3. How Long is the Main Story in No Man’s Sky?

When focusing primarily on the main objectives, the main story of No Man’s Sky, encompassing both the Atlas and Artemis Paths, is roughly 30.5 hours. However, achieving 100% completion can take around 140 hours, indicating that there’s much more to the game than simply following the main story.

4. Which Path Should I Finish First, Atlas or Artemis?

The Atlas Path was the original main quest, while the Artemis Path was added later. Many players and guides recommend completing the Atlas Path before the Artemis path because the Atlas was the first quest, and its original progression makes sense before engaging the story elements of the Artemis path.

5. Is the Atlas Path Worth Completing?

Yes, the Atlas Path is worth completing. It unravels the lore behind the Atlas, leading you closer to the galactic core. It provides a different narrative and can lead to important game progression. Completing the Atlas Path unlocks a path to a Black Hole that takes you closer to the galactic core.

6. Does the Atlas Path Ever End?

Yes, the Atlas Path does end. After finishing the path, you’ll be directed to a Black Hole, which will allow you to travel slightly closer to the center of the galaxy. After this, you are no longer tethered to the Atlas, and you are free to continue exploring as you see fit.

7. What Happens When You Finish the Artemis Path?

At the end of the Artemis Path, you face a choice known as “The Purge” that results in you moving to another galaxy. This “reset” doesn’t start you over, instead, it propels you to a new galaxy. Choosing to “birth a star” accomplishes the same effect, as these are linked. The path is a key method for changing galaxies. The atlas path will not change your galaxy.

8. Is Earth in No Man’s Sky?

No, Earth is not a playable location in No Man’s Sky. The game’s universe is procedurally generated, creating an infinite number of planets but not including the specific planet of Earth.

9. Is No Man’s Sky an Endless Game?

Yes, No Man’s Sky is an endless game. Due to the procedural generation, the game universe is virtually infinite. This means the possibilities for exploring are immense and there is always something new to discover.

10. Is No Man’s Sky Map Infinite?

While not technically infinite, the universe of No Man’s Sky is gigantic with over 18 quintillion planets. This makes the game’s map practically infinite for the purposes of gameplay and exploration.

11. Is It Possible to Visit Every Planet in No Man’s Sky?

No, it is not realistically possible to visit every planet in No Man’s Sky. Due to the sheer volume of planets it would take billions of years. Even in a lifetime of play it would be impossible.

12. Should I Birth a Star or Walk Away?

It is heavily recommended that you birth a star at the end of the Artemis path. This action unlocks the Star Seed blueprint, which is very useful for further exploration. This also teleports you to a new galaxy.

13. Is the Atlas a God in NMS?

While not universally accepted, many Korvax and Gek view the Atlas as a god. In contrast, most Vy’keen oppose this view, considering the Atlas a false god. This difference in beliefs adds an interesting lore element to the game.

14. Does No Man’s Sky Have Multiple Endings?

Yes, there are multiple endings in No Man’s Sky. Completing the Atlas Path unveils the story of the Atlas. “Birthing a star” by following the Artemis path takes you to another galaxy.

15. What is the Best Planet Type in No Man’s Sky?

While personal preference plays a big role, a Paradise Planet is often considered the best planet type. These planets are ideal for living on due to their lush landscapes, agreeable weather, and abundant resources. Other favored planet types for living on include Lush, Exotic, and Water Worlds.

Conclusion

The Artemis Path in No Man’s Sky is a compelling narrative experience that can take a player 20-30 hours to complete, but it is an important and core piece of the game. With the flexibility of No Man’s Sky, players may find themselves spending more or less time along this path based on their own playstyle, exploration and side quest desires. Coupled with the vastness of the universe and the intertwining storylines, the Artemis Path is a journey that should be experienced by every traveler in No Man’s Sky.