Hello Games has launched the Cosmos update for No Man's Sky, coinciding with the game's 10th anniversary. This significant update introduces a "complete overhaul of space," bringing features such as alliances, orbital bases, the ability to purchase and inhabit personal space stations, and the long-awaited possibility of flying to the system's sun.
Space, which Hello Games notes has seen less development since the game's initial release compared to other aspects, is now the focus of a substantial revamp. The developers aimed to make space feel more alive and habitable, leading to the implementation of mechanics allowing players to own space stations and construct star bases. Players can purchase a space station in their chosen solar system, customize its interior and exterior, and invite others to visit.
Beyond space stations, players can now build modular, free-floating bases anywhere in space. These structures can serve various purposes, from starship refueling stops and military outposts to orbital restaurants.
The update also enhances asteroid belts, which now feature both rock and ice formations that yield valuable crystal resources. Some exceptionally large asteroids are now large enough to land on and build upon.
Exploration in new systems will yield new points of interest, including space outposts where players can trade with alien species, acquire maps, gather information, and accept missions. Additionally, space hulks can be found and salvaged using a new gravity gun. Recovered scrap can be fed into a ship's new tractor beam, but attempting to salvage too much can cause the hulk to explode. Bio-wrecks are also present, some of which are infested with hazards that players can clear out.
New to the Cosmos update is an alliance system, enabling players to collaborate on building networked empires of space stations and compete on leaderboards for the largest, wealthiest, or most prominent alliance.
To commemorate the anniversary, a limited-time expedition called 'Our Journey Continues' is available. This expedition acts as a retrospective, guiding players through milestones that represent each of No Man's Sky's 40 major updates since its 2016 launch. It includes a "spacelog" featuring facts and developer commentary for each update, offering a look back at the game's evolution.
The Cosmos update is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Mac, PlayStation VR1 & 2, PC VR, and via Game Pass. Full patch notes can be found on the Hello Games website.