It’s been almost five years since the initial release ofNo Man’s Sky, the sci-fi exploration title from indie studio Hello Games. Following a rocky launch, the game has been steadily improved and updated over the years. The latest update, 3.3, introduces a brand new way to playNo Man’s Sky.
Expeditions is a game mode which will allow players to embark on a shared voyage across the universe. In the new mode players all start on the same planet, and begin their journey as a team. The lack of meaningful multiplayer was one of thebiggest criticisms ofNo Man’s Skyat launch, and expeditions may be the best solution so far. For those looking to dive into this exciting new way to playNo Man’s Sky, here’s our complete breakdown of the mechanics.
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Setting Out Together
The entiretheme of the Expeditions updateis exploring with friends, just asNo Man’s Sky’s Companions update focused on taming creatures, and its Origins update focused on planetary diversity. An expedition game begins with all players spawning on the same planet. However, unlike in the regular game mode, players in expeditions won’t need to slowly build up their resources.
Each player embarking on an expedition will start with a random collection of technology, customization options, ships, and weaponry. This means that all the players can get a head start on the game, allowing everyone to quickly begin exploring the stars. The random assortment ofNo Man’s Sky’s shipswill be particularly useful in helping the players get off the ground.
Milestones and Phases
Each expedition inNo Man’s Sky’s latest updateis broken down into phases. These phases represent the overall progress of the expedition, and players will need to complete each one to progress to the next. These phases are designed to guide players through the universe ofNo Man’s Sky, providing them with fresh challenges as they go. When a player completes a phase, they will unlock a unique and powerful reward, exclusive to those undertaking the expedition.
In order to finish a phase, players in the expedition will need to complete eight Milestones. These start simply enough, with First Steps, a phase one milestone, merely requiring players to reach their starship. However, they grow progressively more difficult as the expedition advances. Just like when completing phases, players will also gain rewards for each milestone they complete. These includepowerfulNo Man’s Skyloot, as well as a unique milestone patch to celebrate the achievement.
One milestone that reappears in each phase is Rendezvous X. This milestone requires players to reach a pre-determined point in the universe, where they can regroup with other players and share what they’ve discovered so far. It’s these Rendezvous points which make up thejourney part of theNo Man’s Sky’s Expedition game mode, keeping all the players moving in the same general direction.
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Expedition Themes and Conclusion
Rather than being a single journey for players to follow, new expeditions will begin regularly. Each new expedition will have a different duration and length, as well as explore a different theme. In addition, they will all offer exclusive rewards and bespoke challenges.
Every time a new expedition begins, it will require players to make a fresh start with a randomized character and set of technologies. At the end of the expedition, the associated milestones and their rewards can no longer be earned. However, players won’t have to leave behind their characters. Once an expedition ends, all save games connected to it will be converted intoNormalNo Man’s Skysaves. This will allow players to continue the story of their voyage, and discover new secrets in the universe.
No Man’s Skyis available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
