A new and exciting adventure awaits in No Man’s Sky thanks to the new 4.4 update. No Man’s Sky is almost unrecognizable when compared to its first iteration that launched back in 2016 to an infamously disastrous reception. Developer Hello Games has spared little effort in redeeming itself even though the development and release of No Man’s Sky has become a cautionary tale for others who might oversell their games.
The 4.4 version arrives just shy of a week since a No Man’s Sky update was teased in a video celebrating the game’s 7th anniversary. The video showcased how far No Man’s Sky has come by displaying the improvements and innovations that had been introduced with each named update. The name for the now released “Echoes” update was revealed at the end of the video.
No Man’s Sky 4.4 “Echoes” has released along with a laundry list of new content, quality of life improvements, bug fixes, and tweaks. Perhaps most significant is the addition of the Autophage, a race of mechanical constructs replete with a new visually distinct language for players to learn, a variety of customizations for players to earn and experiment with, as well as a quest line that “proves the Convergence, the Atlas, and the deep truths of the universe.” Perhaps one of the most exciting new additions is a customizable two-handed Voltaic Staff multi-tool that can be earned by completing the Autophage mission. On the subject of multi-tools, they can now be “decommissioned” on the Space Anomaly, rewarding the players with upgrades and resources.
While the addition of a new race is likely to be the highlight of the “Echoes” update for many No Man’s Sky players, it is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Players can also look forward to a new expedition, “Voyagers,” that will take them across the universe and allow them to earn a variety of unique rewards for their character and base. No Man’s Sky is one of the best sandbox games for creative gamers, and the expedition rewards typically offer desirable customizations like base parts, posters, and cosmetics.
While some will wonder when No Man’s Sky will stop getting updates it is probably best to enjoy the massive support the game has had over the past 7 years. One can only hope that Hello Games will give No Man’s Sky players fair warning when it decides to move on to other games, but for now there is little evidence that this is happening any time soon.
No Man’s Sky Update 4.4 Patch Notes
THE AUTOPHAGE
- A mysterious new race of mechanical constructs, the Autophage, now await discovery at hidden sites all across the galaxy.
- Uncover their secrets during an expansive narrative-based mission that probes the Convergence, the Atlas, and the deep truths of the universe.
- Complete this mission to earn your own Voltaic Staff: a brand new Multi-Tool with its own unique animation set.
- The Autophage are tracked as their own faction within your Journey Milestones, with associated medals and missions.
- Autophage lurk at planetary sites on many worlds. Earn the appropriate technology and your scanner will reveal their hidden camps.
- The Autophage have their own unique language to learn, with hundreds of words to collect and catalogue.
- Improve your standing among these mechanical beings to earn exclusive new player titles.
- Travellers with good standing among the constructs may undertake a new series of procedurally generated missions for each individual Autophage, earning reputation, new words, unique rewards, and more.
- A vast new range of Autophage customisation options have been added. Earn Void Motes by assisting the Autophage, and use these to unlock these new customisation options at any construct camp.
- The Autophage offer access to new procedurally-generated Exosuit technologies.
- In addition to robotic parts, players can earn new cloth-based customisation options, including drapes, hoods, and face masks. Once earned, these can be mixed with any other customisation setup, allowing for a vast array of new looks.
- Once of sufficient standing, Travellers can earn and select from a huge array of parts and assemble their very own customised staff Multi-Tool.
