How Many Hours Does it Take to 100% No Man’s Sky? A Deep Dive
Figuring out how long it takes to 100% complete No Man’s Sky is a bit like asking how long it takes to count every grain of sand on a beach. It’s a vast, procedurally generated universe with seemingly endless possibilities. However, we can give you a fairly comprehensive idea. While a casual playthrough focusing on the main objectives may take around 30 ½ hours, achieving full 100% completion is a vastly different endeavor. You can expect to sink roughly 140 hours into the game if you’re aiming to see and do everything. But, keep in mind, this doesn’t mean you will see EVERYTHING the game has to offer. 100% completion, in the context of most players, refers to obtaining all achievements, completing all story lines, reaching the center of the galaxy, maxing out all of the milestones, and experiencing most of the game’s content. It doesn’t mean visiting all of the planets.
Reaching 100% completion in No Man’s Sky is a significant time investment, even with efficient gameplay. The game’s emphasis on exploration and discovery makes it very easy to get sidetracked. You’ll find yourself spending countless hours building bases, perfecting your fleet, and cataloging exotic creatures. The beauty of No Man’s Sky lies in its endless nature, so while 140 hours is a good estimate for achievement hunters, your personal journey can be much longer.
Understanding the Scope of Completion
Main Objectives vs. 100%
The core storyline in No Man’s Sky provides a sense of direction, but the real appeal lies in the freedom the game offers. Sticking to the main objectives will give you a good taste of the game, but only scratches the surface of what it has to offer. 100% completion, on the other hand, means diving deep into every aspect of the game. This includes not only completing all the missions, but also maxing out milestones, expanding your base, and acquiring a robust fleet. It’s a journey that requires dedication and a love for exploration.
The Procedural Universe
The truly mind-boggling aspect of No Man’s Sky is its procedurally generated universe. This means that the game doesn’t rely on pre-built content, but creates content as you explore, on the fly. It has over 18 quintillion planets to visit, a fact that’s often highlighted. Even if you could visit one planet per second (which is impossible in practice), it would take billions of years to see them all. Therefore, while you can complete the games “achievements” you will never fully explore the entire universe.
What Makes 100% Completion Time-Consuming?
Exploration and Discovery
The heart of No Man’s Sky lies in exploration. Each planet is unique, with different flora, fauna, and resources. Discovering and documenting these planets takes considerable time. Players aiming for 100% will often spend hours just roaming around, scanning creatures, and noting the planet’s characteristics. This is a significant portion of the gameplay that adds many hours to overall completion times.
Base Building and Management
Base building is another key activity in No Man’s Sky. Constructing intricate bases, upgrading them, and expanding the technology within takes time and resources. There are limits on base size (16,000 objects per save, and a 3,000 part upload limit), but getting to that stage involves a lot of grinding and exploration for the right materials. Players aiming for full completion will want fully fleshed-out bases on multiple planets, adding more to the playtime.
Milestones and Achievements
Milestones are awarded for specific in-game actions, such as discovering planets, killing creatures, exploring underwater, and achieving survival in harsh conditions. Achievements are tied to completing objectives and exploring various aspects of gameplay. Fully maxing out all milestones and achievements contributes significantly to the total playtime of a 100% save file.
Resource Gathering and Trading
Gathering resources is a fundamental aspect of gameplay. Upgrading your technology and building bases requires vast amounts of materials. Trading resources and goods with other civilizations also consumes a lot of time, adding to the overall completion effort. Finding the best trading routes and methods for gathering resources is an ongoing process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 FAQs about No Man’s Sky, giving readers even more insight into the game and its completion aspects.
1. How long is one “Sol” in No Man’s Sky?
One Sol in No Man’s Sky is equivalent to one day in our world, but in real-time it lasts only 15 minutes. This is relevant for activities like getting the Extreme Survival milestone, which takes one Sol to achieve in an extreme environment.
2. Is the No Man’s Sky map endless?
No, the map is not truly endless. It has 18,446,744,073,709,551,616 worlds or 18 quintillion. While this is a mind-boggling number, it is not infinite.
3. Is No Man’s Sky worth playing alone?
Yes, No Man’s Sky can be enjoyable alone. However, many players find that connecting and playing with others enhances the experience.
4. Can a 10-year-old play No Man’s Sky?
Yes, the game has a mode for creative building. With a “light” T rating, most aspects of the game are appropriate for children as young as 9 or 10 years old.
5. What is the end goal of No Man’s Sky?
The overarching goal is to reach the center of the galaxy. Reaching the center will transport you to another galaxy to explore, and this cycle can be repeated.
6. How big can my base be in No Man’s Sky?
There is a limit of 16,000 base objects per save file. Additionally, there’s a 3,000 component upload limit per base.
7. How long would it take to visit every planet in No Man’s Sky?
Even at a rate of one planet per second, it would take approximately 584 million years to visit every planet in the game.
8. How far do black holes take you?
Black holes typically move you approximately 7,000 light-years closer to the center of the galaxy (+/- 1,000 ly). There are also hyper black holes that can take you over 300,000 light years toward the center.
9. What should I do if I’m stuck?
If stuck, try restarting the app. If this does not work, contact the game’s support.
10. How many planets are in No Man’s Sky?
There are over 18 quintillion planets in the game.
11. Is No Man’s Sky a scary game?
While not primarily horror, elements like the Abyssal Horror and other creatures add danger and thrill. Some biological horrors can be quite terrifying, with challenging combat encounters.
12. Can you be a pirate in No Man’s Sky?
Yes, players can engage in piracy by attacking freighters and ships, and there are now outlaw stations where players can engage with pirate factions.
13. What is the main focus of No Man’s Sky?
The game’s primary focus is on exploration, allowing players to discover its many wonders at their own pace.
14. Has anyone explored all of No Man’s Sky?
No, only a small percentage of the starting galaxy, Euclid (about 1%), has been explored. None of the remaining galaxies have been explored completely.
15. What is the rarest creature in No Man’s Sky?
Rangifae are considered one of the rarest land fauna in the game, with only a 0.25% chance of appearing on any given planet.
Conclusion
Achieving 100% completion in No Man’s Sky is a rewarding but time-consuming endeavor. While the core gameplay can be enjoyed in around 30 ½ hours, completing all activities, unlocking all achievements and completing all milestones will take about 140 hours, depending on your play style and efficiency. The vast, procedurally generated universe offers limitless exploration, making it a game that can be played for an extremely long time, if the player desires.