No Man’s Sky: 5 Best Tips for Beginners

Anyone who’s openly presented with eighteen quintillion planets to explore is bound to feel the weight of the world (or galaxy, in this case) on their shoulders. And so they should, as No Man’s Sky may come across as a relatively straightforward planet-hopping simulator, but the truth is, such a concept has its own network of learning curves and obstacles to overcome. Nothing a few quick tips can’t solve, mind you.

On the off chance that you’ve yet to experience No Man’s Sky in 2023, then be sure to check out our five top tips for fresh-faced voyagers below. Looking to survive in outer space long enough to make a dent in those eighteen quintillion planets? Here’s everything you should know before igniting the launch thrusters.

5. Choose Your Path

The first thing you’re going to ask yourself is this: what, if anything at all, are you supposed to do in No Man’s Sky? Is there a storyline to follow, or is it merely the case of hopping on your ship and fleeting between planets for kicks and Units? Well, there’s a bit of both, really, though the story doesn’t go much further than exploring several planets and expanding on each of their respective backstories. So, while you can, technically, jump straight into the “campaign” and follow a slew of lore-building missions, it isn’t mandatory. Fact is, if you’d much rather skip over it and embark on your own journey — then so be it.

It’s been said that the “storyline” in No Man’s Sky will take you roughly 30 hours to complete. That said, as it doesn’t really have an ending (or at least not in the traditional sense), there aren’t any goals or climaxes to work towards. So, if you had high hopes of engaging in a story-driven adventure, then you might want to reconsider your approach. If, however, you don’t mind embarking on an endless journey that has no “real” purpose other than to offer an extensive range of dynamic worlds to scoot around in — then buckle up, because you’ve got quite the experience ahead of you.

4. Upgrade Your Inventory

One of the main things you’ll be doing in No Man’s Sky is collecting resources to trade for Units, the in-game currency. With said Units, you can not only upgrade your Exosuit to hold additional items, but also increase your cargo capacity on your ship and freighters. And it goes without saying that, being a game that involves endless exploration, you’re going to want to expand that inventory space as early on as possible — if only to prevent numerous runs back and forth between the ship and the resource deposit.

While on the subject of resource deposits, you can find the primary digging spot on any planet by equipping your Analysis Visor. If you can help it, aim to boost your carry capacity as frequently as possible, if only to make later expeditions more efficient and to whittle down any unnecessary obstacles.

3. When in Doubt — Hit the Space Station

If, at any point, you feel lost or confused, and have exhausted all of your options on the planet you’re visiting, then don’t be afraid to resort to the nearest Space Station for a new operation to indulge in. Think of them as communal hubs; they offer countless trading and mission opportunities, NPCs to engage with, and other valuable services that will help point you in the right direction. The Cartographer, for example, can turn your collect navigation data into trusty maps that can lead you to new resources, landmarks, and other noteworthy locations.

Of course, No Man’s Sky isn’t about the destination as such, but the journey itself. Therefore, if you do feel the need to depart and move elsewhere at any point — then go for it. After all, it’s not as if there’s a lack of planets to explore or anything. Just do yourself a favor and seek out any Cartographers you can before moving on, as they’ll provide you with all the right tools and information needed to squeeze certain planets of all their resource deposits to the bone.

2. Sideline the Sentinels

When out hunting for relics and resources, you can expect to run into your fair share of Sentinels—enemy bots that randomly spawn to impede your progress. If this does happen, then you’ll want to find cover and wait for their investigations to come to a close, as engaging in direct conflict can leave you overpowered by an entire army of bots, all of whom will attack on sight.

On another note, you’ll want to harvest as many gels as possible when safe to do so, as neglecting the search will result in a loss of Life Support. And as it turns out, losing all of your Life Support will result in a one-way ticket to instant death, and thus, a step in the wrong direction for your future enterprises. With Dihydrogen and some flora-rooted carbon, you can create some Life Support Gel — so do yourself a favor and keep a healthy amount of gel in your inventory.

1. Scan, Scan & Scan!

Before you set out to build your perfect base and broaden your horizons, you’ll want to get comfortable with your Analysis Visor, as this will not only let you scan for resource deposits, but creatures and all kinds of flora, too. And the best part about doing this is that, well, each new find rewards you with Units — which are needed to do most, if not everything in No Man’s Sky.

Take everything we’ve pointed out in the entires above, and you should have enough to get you through the tutorial planet and into the open skies. As for what you do beyond the stars is entirely up to you. Best of luck, budding space pirate!

So, what’s your take? Do you have any useful tips for No Man’s Sky newcomers? Let us know your thoughts over on our socials here.