No Man's Sky Cosmos Update Overhauls Space on PS5

Hello Games has launched the free Cosmos update for No Man's Sky on PlayStation 5. The release marks the game's 10th anniversary with what the developer calls the biggest overhaul to space in the game's history.

According to the studio's announcement on the PlayStation Blog, the Cosmos update aims to make space feel "truly alive." The overhaul introduces asteroid belts, salvageable space hulks, new outposts, missions, and strange anomalies. A new solar system map helps players plot and track these points of interest.

New Space Gameplay and Hazards

Warping into a system now prompts players to scan a new solar system map, revealing fresh points of interest that unlock new mission strands. Among these are large "space hulks" that can be stripped for resources using a physics gravity gun. Players must scan for high-value rewards, as being too greedy and tearing too much from a wreck can trigger a meltdown and explosion.

New space outposts allow for trading with alien lifeforms, buying maps, gathering information, and taking on missions. The developer warns that some facilities have been overrun by biological hazards and require careful reclamation.

Building and Ownership in the Void

The update significantly expands construction possibilities. Players can now build free-floating modular bases anywhere in space, creating anything from a truck stop for starships to an orbital restaurant. Rare, large asteroids can also be landed on and built upon.

A major new feature allows players to purchase a system's space station for themselves. Owners can build and decorate the station internally and externally, creating themed clubhouses for friends. The developer stated, "You can create your own themed Station, as your own clubhouse and have friends come and visit."

Alliances and the 10th Anniversary Expedition

These player-owned stations can become the foundation for player Alliances. Players can invite others to join their society and work together to build a networked empire of stations. This cooperative effort ties into new leaderboards that rank alliances by size, wealth, and prominence.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary, a new expedition will guide players through the game's update history. Each milestone corresponds to one of the over 40 updates released over the past decade, with gameplay reflecting features from that era and logs detailing its development.

The Cosmos update is live now for existing PlayStation players at no extra cost. The developer describes the update and its patch notes as "a love letter from us to the community."