Hello Games has announced that No Man’s Sky update 4.0, called Waypoint, will be released today, saying it’s probably the “biggest generational leap yet” for the game.
The 21st major update brings both a design overhaul and balancing along with hundreds of quality of life improvements, as Hello Games has attempted to unify all of its previous content into a more cohesive gaming experience.
Its inventory system is one example of this, as players, ships and weapons now have a “greatly increased” level cap. Milestones have also been updated and a new information portal makes it easier for returning players to pick back up No Man’s Sky thanks to a summary of their objectives and progress.
New game modes have also been added, with the Relaxed mode allowing players to enjoy the game more as an exploration game and a pure survival sandbox. However, customizable controls for survival, crafting and combat have also been added, meaning players can shape the experience to suit their playstyle.
Given that Waypoint also marks the full 4.0 push for No Man’s Sky, Hello Games said it’s as much laying the groundwork for the future as it is improving what’s already in the game.
“The jump from version 3.0 4.0 is perhaps our biggest generational leap yet. It’s an exciting moment and marks a solid foundation for future updates,” it said.
“As we move forward, No Man’s Sky launches on Switch with its first major update, and it’s no coincidence that many of our changes are focused on making No Man’s Sky more of a pick-up-and-play experience for new and returning players on the same mobile platform.”
A Nintendo Switch version has also been released Today, October 7. Hello Games founder Sean Murray said this in June It “feels both completely natural and completely improbable at the same time”Because No Man’s Sky’s procedural generation meant the Switch port was “a real moonshot for our little team.”
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelancer. He will talk about the witch all day.