<p dir="ltr">Marauders is a multiplayer space pirate game (currently in the FIG Open Access program).</p><p dir="ltr">Players get geared-up, form a crew (up to 4 players) and launch into the unknowns of space aboard battle frigates. There they explore a 1990s themed industrialized deep space, raiding asteroid mines, space stations and other players/NPC ships for loot and gear.</p><p dir="ltr">When running around on foot the game is in first-person and when controlling spaceships or turrets on those ships it uses a third-person perspective.</p>

NieR: Automata is an action role-playing game developed by PlatinumGames and published by Square Enix for PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows and Xbox One.

<h2>Overview</h2><p>NieR: Automata is an action RPG directed by <a href="/yoko-taro/3040-96583/" data-ref-id="3040-96583">Yoko Taro</a> and developed by <a href="/platinumgames/3010-6319/" data-ref-id="3010-6319">Platinum Games</a> and published by <a href="/square-enix/3010-104/" data-ref-id="3010-104">Square Enix</a>. It aims to retain the originality of <a href="/nier/3030-26596/" data-ref-id="3030-26596">Nier </a>while presenting more appealing gameplay. It is set in the same universe as Nier but features a separate story in which robots are sent to reclaim Earth from an alien invasion after humanity was exiled to the Moon.</p><h2>Story</h2><p>Nier: Automata opens with 2B and 9S paving the way for a future incursion into machine territory, working to clear out machine threats for the local Resistance. With help from Anemone and later Pascal, 2B and 9S defeat multiple machine threats. During their missions, they witness the birth of and later fight Adam and Eve, physical manifestations of the machine network who reveal that their creators were destroyed centuries ago. 2B and 9S also encounter A2, who is on the run from YoRHa. It is revealed that the machines are beginning to feel emotions and gather in groups, and some like Pascal's group have grown tired of fighting. 9S is eventually captured by Adam, who is killed by 2B. Deprived of his brother, Eve goes mad with grief and drives the machines under his command into a frenzy. 2B and 9S kill Eve, but 9S is infected with the machine's logic virus, forcing 2B to kill him. Despite his body dying, 9S's personality is saved on the local machine network, allowing his transfer into a new body. The second playthrough follows the opening narrative from the perspective of 9S, offering new insight into the machines and Adam and Eve. 9S also learns that humanity has been extinct since the events of Nier aside from a server on the moon holding humanity's DNA and history. YoRHa and its mission were created to keep the androids from losing morale. He also encounters a glitch when performing a standard server sync, and halts the procedure for both himself and 2B.</p><p>The apparent deaths of Adam and Eve throw the machine network into chaos, prompting YoRHa to launch a full-scale invasion. 2B and 9S form part of the vanguard, but a logic virus attack turns every YoRHa unit aside from 2B and 9S hostile. The two retreat to the Bunker, which is subsequently overrun—the "glitch" 9S encountered was, in fact, a hole opening in YoRHa's virus defenses, leaving the entire squadron vulnerable. Infected herself, the Commander orders 2B and 9S to the surface then self-destructs the Bunker. 2B and 9S are forced to separate on the descent when attacked by rogue YoRHa, and 2B ends up infected with the logic virus. Saved from rogue YoRHa by A2, 2B uploads her memories into her sword and tasks A2 with completing her mission. 9S sees A2 kill 2B, and ignorant of their interaction angrily swears revenge against A2. Alongside this, a structure called the Tower created by the machines rises above the land. The story then divides between A2 and 9S, with their respective Pods 042 and 153 interacting with each other.</p><p>A2 continues 2B's missions against the machines. During her story, Pascal's village is attacked when machines begin going berserk, and when A2 and Pascal fight off a machine attack the "children" of his village commit suicide in fear of being killed. A2 has the option of either wiping Pascal's memory at his request, killing him, or leaving him. Meanwhile, 9S investigates the Tower and its purpose: he learns that YoRHa androids and machines are constructed from the same materials, and the Tower is preparing to launch something he assumes is a missile directed at the server on the moon. During his quest, 9S is tormented by the loss of YoRHa and 2B and becomes emotionally and mentally unstable. 9S eventually gains access to the Tower with help from Devola and Popola, who sacrifice themselves to fend off the attacking machines—they are revealed to be the last surviving versions of the android type that triggered the end of humanity as experienced in NieR: Replicant, thus suffering persecution by other androids. They are programmed to feel perpetual guilt and try to atone for their actions. A2 follows 9S inside, where the machines' controlling artificial intelligence confronts them both—A2's backstory as the survivor of a precursor unit to the YoRHa that was designed to be destroyed is revealed, and 9S learns that the logic virus attack on YoRHa was part of the plan to perpetuate the ruse of humanity's survival and trap both machines and androids in a repeating cycle of war.</p><p>When they meet at the top of the Tower, A2 reveals the truth about 2B; her real designation was "2E" (E = Executioner), a YoRHa unit designed to repeatedly kill 9S whenever he discovered the truth about humanity and YoRHa—2B suffered greatly from her role, and wanted to help 9S through A2. 9S, by now driven insane and infected with the logic virus, challenges A2 to a fight. The player then selects which character to control. In the Ending C, should the player choose A2, 9S is defeated, and A2 first cures him of the logic virus, then sacrifices herself to destroy the Tower while Pod 042 takes 9S to safety. In the Ending D, should the player pick 9S, the two kill each other, and in his final moments the machine artificial intelligence tells him that the Tower has changed its function due to the machines' evolution and is instead firing an ark containing the essence of machine kind—including the still-living Adam and Eve—to find a new world. During the credits, Pods 042 and 153 speak to the player upon finding that the data for 2B, 9S and A2 are still intact. If the player agrees to save the data, this triggers the True Ending, Ending E: Pods 042 and 153 reconstitute the androids' memories and experiences and reconstruct their bodies—despite the possibility that the three would merely repeat everything, the Pods hold faith that they will forge a new future.</p><h2>Characters</h2><figure data-align="right" data-size="small" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/11/119879/2896727-5707895593-2_B.p.png" data-ref-id="1300-2896727" data-ratio="2.078125" data-width="320" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 320px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:207.8%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/11/119879/2896727-5707895593-2_B.p.png" data-ref-id="1300-2896727"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/scale_small/11/119879/2896727-5707895593-2_B.p.png" srcset="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/11/119879/2896727-5707895593-2_B.p.png 320w, https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/scale_small/11/119879/2896727-5707895593-2_B.p.png 307w" sizes="(max-width: 307px) 100vw, 307px" data-width="307"></a></figure><p>There are three main characters that feature as the events and story of the game progresses. They are listed below:</p><p>1. <a href="/yorha-no2-type-b/3005-34229/" data-ref-id="3005-34229"><b>YoRHa No.2 Type B (2B)</b></a></p><p>- The main female character of the game. A member of special Android task force YoRHa, she is sent to Earth on a mission to return Earth to the humans that once inhabited it, and to destroy the robot menace that the alien invasion left behind.</p><p>2. <a href="/yorha-no9-type-s/3005-36339/" data-ref-id="3005-36339"><b>YoRHa No.9 Type S (9S)</b></a></p><p>- The main male character of the game. Teaming up with 2B, the pair work together on their mission to reclaim Earth from the robots that now inhabit it.</p><p>3. <a href="/yorha-type-a-no2/3005-36362/" data-ref-id="3005-36362"><b>YoRHa Type A No.2 (A2) </b></a></p><p>- A mysterious character of whom not much is known. A main character in the stage play preceding the game, she was once a member of YoRHa, but disappeared and became a wanted fugitive.</p><p>Several side characters also appear in the game:</p><p>4. <strong>YoRHa Commander</strong></p><p>- Working from the Bunker, the orbital home of YoRHa, the Commander oversees your operations over the course of the game.</p><p>5. <strong>Operator 6O &amp; 21O</strong></p><p>- Servicing 2B and 9S respectively, these characters transmit mission information and conduct daily reports.</p><p>6. <strong>Adam and Eve</strong></p><p>- The mysterious antagonists of the game, the "machine brothers" are elusive and extremely powerful.</p><h2>Multiple Endings</h2><p>One of NieR: Automata's defining characteristics is its use of <a href="/multiple-endings/3015-27/" data-ref-id="3015-27">multiple endings</a>. There are 26 different endings in total; one for each letter of the English alphabet which makes up a part of the ending's title. A majority of these endings include various <a href="/bad-endings/3015-8058/" data-ref-id="3015-8058">bad</a> or <a href="/joke-ending/3015-5657/" data-ref-id="3015-5657">joke endings</a> where a character fails to complete a task or walks away from an objective. When a player triggers one of these endings, text will appear on screen describing the fate of a character and the credits will scroll by very quickly. Once one of these alternate endings is triggered, the player will be brought back to the main menu where they will be able to continue the story from their last save.</p><p>NieR: Automata has five main story endings: Routes A through E. After the player completes the first ending, Route A, a message signed by Square Enix PR will appear. The message thanks the players for playing NieR: Automata and encourages them to play through the story again in order to see additional story elements and gameplay systems. With each subsequent playthrough, the player learns more about the main characters, the other androids, and the machines, in addition to seeing new events that weren't featured in the previous routes.</p><h2>Soundtrack</h2><figure data-align="right" data-size="medium" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/24/240025/2956116-nier_automata%20%28original%20soundtrack%29.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2956116" data-ratio="0.85142857142857" data-width="1400" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 1400px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:85.1%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/24/240025/2956116-nier_automata%20%28original%20soundtrack%29.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2956116"><img alt="NieR: Automata Original Soundtrack Cover" src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/scale_medium/24/240025/2956116-nier_automata%20%28original%20soundtrack%29.jpg" srcset="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/24/240025/2956116-nier_automata%20%28original%20soundtrack%29.jpg 1400w, https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/scale_super/24/240025/2956116-nier_automata%20%28original%20soundtrack%29.jpg 960w, https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/scale_medium/24/240025/2956116-nier_automata%20%28original%20soundtrack%29.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" data-width="480"></a><figcaption>NieR: Automata Original Soundtrack Cover</figcaption></figure><p>NieR: Automata's original soundtrack is composed by <a href="/keiichi-okabe/3040-98154/" data-ref-id="3040-98154">Keiichi Okabe</a>, Keigo Hoashi, and Kuniyuki Takahashi. Several songs change dynamically by adding and removing vocals and instruments based on where the player is located in an area and during certain events. Several songs also have <a href="/chiptune/3015-3745/" data-ref-id="3015-3745">chiptune</a> style versions that play during the game's <a href="/hacking/3015-1154/" data-ref-id="3015-1154">hacking</a> segments.</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col">No.</th><th scope="col">Title</th><th scope="col">Artist</th><th scope="col">Length</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Significance</td><td>Keiichi Okabe</td><td>2:38</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>City Ruins (Rays of Light)</td><td>Keiichi Okabe</td><td>6:21</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Peaceful Sleep</td><td>Keiichi Okabe</td><td>6:49</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Memories of Dust</td><td>Kuniyuki Takahashi</td><td>5:28</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Birth of a Wish</td><td>Keiichi Okabe</td><td>4:39</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>The Color of Depression</td><td>Keiichi Okabe</td><td>3:16</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Amusement Park</td><td>Keigo Hoashi</td><td>6:18</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>A Beautiful Song</td><td>Keigo Hoashi</td><td>4:04</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>Voice of no Return</td><td>Keiichi Okabe</td><td>3:50</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>Grandma (Destruction)</td><td>Kuniyuki Takahashi</td><td>5:28</td></tr><tr><td>11</td><td>Faltering Prayer (Dawn Breeze)</td><td>Keigo Hoashi</td><td>3:10</td></tr><tr><td>12</td><td>Emil's Shop</td><td>Kuniyuki Takahashi</td><td>5:27</td></tr><tr><td>13</td><td>Treasured Times</td><td>Keigo Hoashi</td><td>3:44</td></tr><tr><td>14</td><td>Vague Hope (Cold Rain)</td><td>Keigo Hoashi</td><td>3:34</td></tr><tr><td>15</td><td>Weight of the World (English Version)</td><td>Keiichi Okabe</td><td>5:44</td></tr><tr><td>16</td><td>Significance</td><td>Keiichi Okabe</td><td>2:38</td></tr><tr><td>17</td><td>City Ruins (Shade)</td><td>Keiichi Okabe</td><td>6:00</td></tr><tr><td>18</td><td>End of the Unknown</td><td>Keiichi Okabe</td><td>4:29</td></tr><tr><td>19</td><td>Voice of NO Return</td><td>Keiichi Okabe</td><td>2:51</td></tr><tr><td>20</td><td>Pascal</td><td>Keiichi Okabe</td><td>4:45</td></tr><tr><td>21</td><td>Forest Kingdom</td><td>Keigo Hoashi</td><td>5:51</td></tr><tr><td>22</td><td>Dark Colossus (Kaiju)</td><td>Keigo Hoashi</td><td>6:04</td></tr><tr><td>23</td><td>Copied City</td><td>Keigo Hoashi</td><td>3:58</td></tr><tr><td>24</td><td>Wretched Weaponry</td><td>Keiichi Okabe</td><td>7:03</td></tr><tr><td>25</td><td>Possessed by Disease</td><td>Keiichi Okabe</td><td>5:00</td></tr><tr><td>26</td><td>Broken Heart</td><td>Keiichi Okabe</td><td>3:29</td></tr><tr><td>27</td><td>Wretched Weaponry</td><td>Keiichi Okabe</td><td>3:05</td></tr><tr><td>28</td><td>Mourning</td><td>Keiichi Okabe</td><td>4:50</td></tr><tr><td>29</td><td>Dependent Weakling</td><td>Kuniyuki Takahashi</td><td>5:03</td></tr><tr><td>30</td><td>Weight of the World Kowaretasekainouta - Marina Kawano</td><td>Keiichi Okabe</td><td>5:43</td></tr><tr><td>31</td><td>Rebirth &amp; Hope</td><td>Keigo Hoashi</td><td>0:36</td></tr><tr><td>32</td><td>War &amp; War</td><td>Keigo Hoashi</td><td>4:31</td></tr><tr><td>33</td><td>Crumbling Lies (Front)</td><td>Keigo Hoashi</td><td>3:25</td></tr><tr><td>34</td><td>Widespread Illness</td><td>Keigo Hoashi</td><td>3:17</td></tr><tr><td>35</td><td>Fortress of Lies</td><td>Keiichi Okabe</td><td>2:47</td></tr><tr><td>36</td><td>Vague Hope (Spring Rain)</td><td>Keigo Hoashi</td><td>4:38</td></tr><tr><td>37</td><td>Song of the Ancients (Atonement)</td><td>Keiichi Okabe</td><td>5:08</td></tr><tr><td>38</td><td>Blissful Death</td><td>Keiichi Okabe</td><td>2:35</td></tr><tr><td>39</td><td>Emil (Despair)</td><td>Keigo Hoashi</td><td>4:44</td></tr><tr><td>40</td><td>Faltering Prayer (Starry Sky)</td><td>Keigo Hoashi</td><td>3:43</td></tr><tr><td>41</td><td>Alien Manifestation</td><td>Keiichi Okabe</td><td>6:26</td></tr><tr><td>42</td><td>The Tower</td><td>Keiichi Okabe</td><td>7:42</td></tr><tr><td>43</td><td>Bipolar Nightmare</td><td>Keigo Hoashi</td><td>4:57</td></tr><tr><td>44</td><td>The Sound of the End</td><td>Keigo Hoashi</td><td>5:23</td></tr><tr><td>45</td><td>Weight of the World / Nouveau-FR Version Emi Evans)</td><td>Keiichi Okabe</td><td>5;43</td></tr><tr><td>46</td><td>Weight of the World / The End of YoRHa</td><td>Keiichi Okabe</td><td>5:38</td></tr></tbody></table>

E3 2016: You Got a Little Bullet Hell in My RPG in NieR: Automata

E3 2018: Xbox One Players Will Finally Become As Gods in NieR:Automata

A fantasy Arkanoid-style game for multiple platforms. As an eccentric wizard who transforms into a ball, you must lift the evil curse that has been placed on your kingdom!

<h2>Overview</h2><figure data-align="left" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/9/97089/2125148-3.png" data-ref-id="1300-2125148" data-size="medium" data-embed-type="image" data-ratio="0.5625"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:56.3%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/9/97089/2125148-3.png" data-ref-id="1300-2125148"><img alt="Tarot has seen better days." src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/9/97089/2125148-3.png" srcset="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/9/97089/2125148-3.png 384w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" data-width="384"></a><figcaption>Tarot has seen better days.</figcaption></figure><p>Wizorb combines the block-breaking-with-power-ups of <a data-ref-id="3030-15107" href="/arkanoid/3030-15107/">Arkanoid</a> with an <a data-ref-id="3015-3603" href="/rpg-elements/3015-3603/">RPG</a> overworld and story. You play as Cyrus, a powerful wizard who is the only person capable of saving the Kingdom of Gorudo, which has fallen under an evil curse. The people and animals of Gorudo have been turned into monsters, with the sole exception of the village of Tarot.</p><p>Tarot has had all of its buildings destroyed, and four of its children kidnapped, but the residents are otherwise unharmed. While in Tarot, Cyrus can walk around, speak to the townsfolk, spend his gold on town repair efforts, and later buy power ups. Whenever you leave the village, you're presented with a map screen which eventually contains 5 worlds, where the bulk of the gameplay takes place. Each world contains 12 stages, followed by a boss stage. Each world past the first contains a hidden side path with a special reward.</p><h2>Gameplay</h2><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/4/40823/1813972-wizorb_castle.gif" data-ref-id="1300-1813972" data-size="medium" data-embed-type="image" data-ratio="0.5625"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:56.3%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/4/40823/1813972-wizorb_castle.gif" data-ref-id="1300-1813972"><img alt="Wizorb's graphics and music are inspired by NES games." src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/4/40823/1813972-wizorb_castle.gif" srcset="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/4/40823/1813972-wizorb_castle.gif 384w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" data-width="384"></a><figcaption>Wizorb's graphics and music are inspired by NES games.</figcaption></figure><p>Once you select a world and enter it, Cyrus starts to work his magic. He transforms himself into an orb, and his staff becomes the paddle that you reflect the orb off of. The stages consist of a variety of blocks and occasionally contain enemies, both of which you must destroy to complete each stage. The longer the orb bounces off of your paddle and the blocks, the faster it gets. If you let the orb get past your paddle, you will lose a life.</p><p>The blocks can sometimes contain items that will fall to the bottom of the screen, which you must touch with the paddle to collect. These include gold coins, gems, mana potions, keys, and extra lives. The blocks can also contain curses that range from stealing your money to immediately destroying your paddle and costing you a life, should you fail to avoid them. Some stages have optional shops and bonus areas that can be accessed by hitting doors on the edge of the screen. These shops (and the shop in Tarot) are the only place you can obtain the game's power ups. You can also purchase a mana refill or extra lives.</p><h2>Power Ups &amp; Abilities</h2><p>The game has five power ups. You lose all of your current power ups whenever you lose a life. The power ups are:</p><ul><li><span><b><span>Long Wand</span></b>, which extends the length of your paddle. The most common power up.</span></li><li><span><b><span>Slow Orb</span></b>, which reduces the starting speed of the orb by half, making it take much longer for the orb's speed to get out of hand.</span></li><li><span><b><span>Magnet</span></b>,</span> <span>which causes the orb to stick to your paddle each time it touches the paddle. The orb only leaves the paddle once you press the button to launch the orb.</span></li><li><span><b><span>Strong Orb</span></b>, which</span> <span>causes the orb to deal twice as much damage as normal, allowing you to quickly dispatch enemies, and allowing you to quickly destroy blocks that take multiple hits.</span></li><li><span><b><span>Multi-Orb</span></b>, which</span> <span>gives you three orbs instead of one. When this power up is active, you only lose a life (and your power-ups) if all three orbs get past your paddle, and any time you transition to a shop, bonus area, or the next stage, all three orbs are restored.</span></li></ul><p>In addition to the passive power ups, there are also five spells you can cast, provided you have the mana.</p><p>The first primary spell is Fireball, which can be shot out of the paddle, and is equivalent to a single hit from the orb. If you try to cast a Fireball at the instant the orb is touching the paddle, you will instead cast Magma Orb, which briefly allows the orb to penetrate through blocks as it destroys them, instead of bouncing off them.</p><p>The other primary spell is Alter, which creates a gust of wind that alters the trajectory of the orb. If you try to cast Alter at the instant the orb is touching the paddle, you will instead cast Control, which briefly gives the orb wings and allows you to directly move it around using the analog stick/mouse; this also reduces the orb's speed once the spell wears off. If you try to cast Alter after just losing a life and the orb is still on the paddle, ready to be launched, you will instead cast Teleport, which allows you to place the starting point of the orb, even allowing you to move the orb to places that are still fully enclosed by blocks.</p><h2>Pricing &amp; System Requirements</h2><p>The Xbox Live Indie Games version of Wizorb is a 156.64 MB download and the full unlocked game costs 240 MS points. The PC version is $2.99.</p><h3>PC System Requirements</h3><ul><li><strong>OS:</strong> Windows XP or later</li><li><strong>Processor:</strong> Dual-core processor (Intel Dual Core 2.0 GHz or AMD Athlon X2 5200+ 2.6 GHz)</li><li><strong>Memory:</strong> 1 GB RAM</li><li><strong>DirectX®:</strong> 9.0c</li><li><strong>Hard Drive:</strong> 250 MB HD space</li><li><strong>Sound:</strong> DirectX 9.0c compatible sound card</li></ul><h3>Mac System Requirements</h3><ul><li><strong>OS:</strong> Mac OS X v10.6 or later</li><li><strong>Processor:</strong> Intel Core™ Duo or faster</li><li><strong>Memory:</strong> 1 GB RAM</li><li><strong>Hard Drive:</strong> 250 MB HD space</li><li><strong>Graphics:</strong> 128 MB space</li></ul>

A collection containing both Chaos;Head Noah and Chaos;Child with Noah featuring newly remastered visuals.

A procedurally generated space exploration game from Hello Games, the creators of Joe Danger.

<h2>Overview</h2><figure data-align="right" data-size="small" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/18914/2651012-xxx_0155_chris_foss_meteorite_harvester.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2651012" data-ratio="0.86666666666667" data-width="1200" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 1200px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:86.7%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/18914/2651012-xxx_0155_chris_foss_meteorite_harvester.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2651012"><img alt="Much of the aesthetic of No Man's Sky is inspired by the work of legendary Sci-Fi Illustrator Chris Foss." src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/scale_small/1/18914/2651012-xxx_0155_chris_foss_meteorite_harvester.jpg" srcset="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/1/18914/2651012-xxx_0155_chris_foss_meteorite_harvester.jpg 1200w, https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/scale_super/1/18914/2651012-xxx_0155_chris_foss_meteorite_harvester.jpg 960w, https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/scale_medium/1/18914/2651012-xxx_0155_chris_foss_meteorite_harvester.jpg 480w, https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/scale_small/1/18914/2651012-xxx_0155_chris_foss_meteorite_harvester.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></a><figcaption>Much of the aesthetic of No Man's Sky is inspired by the work of legendary Sci-Fi Illustrator Chris Foss.</figcaption></figure><p>No Man's Sky, developed by <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/hello-games/3010-6769/" data-ref-id="3010-6769">Hello Games</a> (makers of <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/joe-danger/3025-2174/" data-ref-id="3025-2174">Joe Danger</a>), was first announced during Spike's VGX awards show on December 7, 2013.</p><p>It features <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/procedural-generation/3015-328/" data-ref-id="3015-328">procedurally generated </a>environments, including planets (with flora &amp; fauna), star systems, and galaxies for the player to explore. Also, like <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/frontier-elite-ii/3030-16330/" data-ref-id="3030-16330">Frontier</a> and <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/evochron-mercenary/3030-32102/" data-ref-id="3030-32102">Evochron Mercenary</a>, the game features a seamless transition between the surface of a planet and space.</p><p>Development of No Man's Sky started in 2012, under the codename "Skyscraper." Heavy inspiration for the game was drawn from the Golden Age of Science Fiction, i.e. authors such as Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein and Frederik Pohl, and notably, the illustrator Chris Foss.</p><p>The game is set for release in August 2016 for both <a href="/pc/3045-94/" data-ref-id="3045-94">PC</a> and <a href="/playstation-4/3045-146/" data-ref-id="3045-146">PS4</a>.</p><h2>Gameplay</h2><p>Hello Games has remained intentionally vague in regards to the gameplay loop in No Man's Sky, but have said that the game will not be a primarily ambient experience, like <a href="/proteus/3030-37608/" data-ref-id="3030-37608">Proteus</a> or <a href="/dear-esther/3030-33629/" data-ref-id="3030-33629">Dear Esther</a>. Players will be free to explore a procedurally generated universe in <a href="/first-person-perspective/3015-330/" data-ref-id="3015-330">first-person</a>, via their own spacecraft. <a href="/the-atlas/3055-6133/" data-ref-id="3055-6133">The Atlas</a>, a translucent diamond-shaped prism with a red bubble inside, is the only current indication towards any in-game fiction or overarching <a href="/goal/3055-226/" data-ref-id="3055-226">objective</a>.</p><figure data-align="left" data-size="small" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/18914/2644187-theatlas.png" data-ref-id="1300-2644187" data-ratio="0.92991452991453" data-width="585" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 585px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:93.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/18914/2644187-theatlas.png" data-ref-id="1300-2644187"><img alt="The Atlas will challenge Explorers attempting the journey to the centre of the Galaxy." src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/scale_small/1/18914/2644187-theatlas.jpg" srcset="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/1/18914/2644187-theatlas.png 585w, https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/scale_medium/1/18914/2644187-theatlas.jpg 480w, https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/scale_small/1/18914/2644187-theatlas.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></a><figcaption>The Atlas will challenge Explorers attempting the journey to the centre of the Galaxy.</figcaption></figure><p>All No Man's Sky players share the same procedurally generated universe, with all of its content being generated under one <a href="/seed/3055-3840/" data-ref-id="3055-3840">seed</a>, and the locations and generated content being kept consistent. However, when a player discovers a new planet or species they will have the option of naming it, thus changing its official designation.</p><p>Each new player will start out on a previously-undiscovered planet on the rim of the galaxy. Hello Games have set the expectation that a central goal of the game will be to reach the center of the universe. The <a href="/difficulty-level/3015-183/" data-ref-id="3015-183">game difficulty</a> will increase as players progress towards it, with more malevolent robots going after them, and more hostile planets being generated along the way.</p><p>Gameplay is known to include space and ground based combat, <a href="/open-world/3015-207/" data-ref-id="3015-207">open world</a> exploration, and <a href="/survival/3015-1297/" data-ref-id="3015-1297">survival</a>-based scenarios. Resources (or RESOZU in game) acquired in-game via exploration, cataloging wildlife, combat or trading with aliens will serve as the player's currency. They will be able to spend them on upgrades for the suit (to provide greater resistance to toxic, radioactive and underwater environments), tools for resource acquisition, and <a href="/upgradeable-weapons/3015-133/" data-ref-id="3015-133">weapons</a> for on-foot combat. Ships will also be purchasable, with add-ons such as scientific equipment and propulsion upgrades. <a href="/crafting/3015-934/" data-ref-id="3015-934">Crafting</a> will be another part of the game, with the player having to acquire recipes before creating certain items.</p><p>Being defeated by enemies will lose players their accumulated upgrades, however this is not a game failure state. Players defeated in space, for instance, will be left in a escape pod with their bank balance, and will have to reacquire a spaceship.</p><h2>Multiplayer</h2><p>No Man's Sky is not an MMO. However, online interaction will include an asynchronous pooling of the players' discoveries into a central database, as they collectively catalog the universe. Social features have been confirmed, such as an in-game <a href="/text-chat/3015-6268/" data-ref-id="3015-6268">chat</a> capability, as well as some currently undefined abilities for players to help each other remotely.</p><p>Encounters between players will be possible, but interaction will be limited. Furthermore, discovering other players will be highly unlikely, due to the magnitude of the play area.</p><h2>Music</h2><figure data-align="right" data-size="small" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/18914/2651017-sr_sleeve_front_750.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2651017" data-ratio="1" data-width="750" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 750px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:100.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/18914/2651017-sr_sleeve_front_750.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2651017"><img alt="65daysofstatic's 5th album Silent Running, was an alternative soundtrack the 1972 classic Sci-Fi film of the same name." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" data-width="640" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/scale_small/1/18914/2651017-sr_sleeve_front_750.jpg" data-srcset="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/1/18914/2651017-sr_sleeve_front_750.jpg 750w, https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/scale_small/1/18914/2651017-sr_sleeve_front_750.jpg 640w"><noscript><img alt="65daysofstatic's 5th album Silent Running, was an alternative soundtrack the 1972 classic Sci-Fi film of the same name." src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/scale_small/1/18914/2651017-sr_sleeve_front_750.jpg" srcset="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/1/18914/2651017-sr_sleeve_front_750.jpg 750w, https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/scale_small/1/18914/2651017-sr_sleeve_front_750.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" data-width="640"></noscript></a><figcaption>65daysofstatic's 5th album Silent Running, was an alternative soundtrack the 1972 classic Sci-Fi film of the same name.</figcaption></figure><p>All musical accompaniment to preview gameplay has been by Sheffield based, post-rock act 65daysofstatic. Most predominantly, the track <em>Debutante</em> from <em>We Were Exploding Anyway</em>. Sean Murray of Hello Games says that the act will be producing the soundtrack for the game, and will also releasing a No Man's Sky album.</p><h2>Public Reception</h2><p>When No Man's Sky original released in 2016, it was subject to heavy criticism. No Man's Sky was heavily advertised by <a href="/sony-interactive-entertainment/3010-995/" data-ref-id="3010-995">Sony</a> and hyped by lead developer <a href="/sean-murray/3040-97087/" data-ref-id="3040-97087">Sean Murray</a>, even being featured on late night talk show, The Tonight Show with <a href="/jimmy-fallon/3005-41958/" data-ref-id="3005-41958">Jimmy Fallon</a>. The game set high expectations of an infinite world of unparalleled discovery, countless game mechanics and systems and overall, a kind of game that could last for nearly forever and would be a unique experience. This was not the case as most players were underwhelmed by the overall quality of the game and felt entirely mislead by feature that were either missing, such as Multiplayer and being able to see other players or much less complex than advertised, like pirate combat and fleet management. In fact, the game was so often lambasted hat many critics referred to the game as "No Man's Lie", as Sean Murray seemed to have overexaggerate the expected features of the game.</p><p>In a rare reversal of its reception, Hello Games was able to improve the game dramatically over the years with countless free expansions that added missing and desired features to the game. Over the course of six years, Hello Games provided numerous updates and about 20 titled expansions, all free of charge, including Foundation (base building), Pathfinder (land vehicles, ship and weapon classes), Atlas Rises (New story, new race, new planets, multiplayer), Beyond (VR Support), Frontiers (Settlements) and many more. While some of the flaws and criticisms of the original release are still present, No Man's Sky is in a different state as of 2021 and 2022 then it was originally in 2016, to the point of being considered <a href="/redemption/3015-5944/" data-ref-id="3015-5944">redemption </a>arc for the game and the developer. What was once a cautionary tale of why you shouldn't preorder a game became the prime example of how a bad, high profile game should be improved by it's developer. When an anticipated game such as <a href="/battlefield-2042/3030-75845/" data-ref-id="3030-75845">Battlefield 2042</a> released to poor reviews, players often respond in something to the effect of "Can they 'No Man's Sky' It?".</p>