No Man’s Sky Got Yet Another Free Content Update

No Man’s Sky gets a massive pack of new content with the launch of the Worlds Part 2 update, which is bringing new solar systems and planets featuring varied biomes, deep oceans, terrain overhauls, and visual enhancements. 

Developer and publisher Hello Games released the update on Jan. 29, 2025, marking another major milestone for the space exploration title after nine years since its launch in 2016.

The Worlds Part 2 update continues the July 2024 update Worlds Part 1, which introduced dynamic weather, enhanced flora and fauna, and cloud improvements.

“I’ve been working on a new terrain system for a little while now,” said Hello Games managing director Sean Murray in a statement. “Terrain is more detailed and far more varied, with huge mountains and these massive features. I’m genuinely at my happiest working on this stuff.”

Among the most significant additions are gas giants, which are ten times larger than any previous planet in No Man’s Sky. These planets feature enormous storms, making them an endgame challenge for seasoned explorers. Oceans have also been drastically improved, now reaching several kilometers in depth and hosting gigantic sea creatures.

The game’s lighting system has undergone a major overhaul as well. Hello, Games promises shadows with greater detail, light filtering through leaves, and fully immersive cave darkness. “Oceans now reflect the clouds and stars, creating beautiful sunsets and night skies,” Murray noted. “Water reacts physically to the world around it, with ripples from rain and waves from passing ships.”

The update introduces a new questline that ties together elements of the game’s lore, as well as an expedition that guides players through the vastly expanded universe. 

“This is our ninth year since release,” Murray said. “I think we’re doing things that the community probably never thought would happen. I honestly can’t wait for people to play.”

No Man’s Sky has undergone a remarkable transformation since its rocky 2016 launch. The game, which initially faced overwhelming negative reviews, has steadily climbed to a “very positive” rating on Steam, thanks to a steady stream of free updates and a committed development team. As of January 2025, No Man’s Sky has sold over 10 million copies.

As Hello Games continues to enhance its flagship title, the studio is also developing its next game, Light No Fire, a fantasy survival adventure set on a single Earth-sized world.