Quick No Man's Sky review

Discussion in 'Other Discussion' started by ZipSnipe, Nov 3, 2018.

  1. RazzleWin

    RazzleWin Rear Admiral

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    Sorry mate. Didn't mean to do that but that was so old information. See one of the ways you make credits is to name planets and wildlife. So as you warp from star system to the next you hope you find a planet you can name and someone else hasn't beaten you to it. (Dev's idea of multi player) so that way the game starts over so there are more places for you to name. That first universe is very hard to find places and critters to name.
    Oh it has millions of star system to warp to. You can't see that map until you able to warp and you will do that in your small ship. When you do get to a new star system you can summon your freighter to bring your other ships there.
    As to the lag shots that's been there from day one! and everything you have been saying has already been told to them. I know your not happy with EGS Dev's at the moment I have been following your posts and your complaints. But to compare EGS and NMS Dev's as the same way. No EGS beats them hands down. Granted we might not like all the changes in EGS but they do try to work with there player base. But NMS doesn't hear anything you say.
    Granted you have been in EGS longer then I, but I'm close to 5000 hours in EGS and have enjoyed many hours and have enjoyed the experimental testing I have done in here.
    I was one of those people that believed in the hype NMS was handing out and paid the pre-order price of $60 and I still kick myself for that! The big multi player space game and then find out WHAT someone else beat me to naming that star system
     
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  2. Neal

    Neal Rear Admiral

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    No problem, i won't stick with NMS for very long anyways.
    You see, there's no point in advancing in that game, because all you do is increase the amount of work for yourself. To be honest i don't understand game developers and people suggesting stuff like that (the way Freighters are implemented for instance).

    I'm actually glad that i have seen it first hand, but i'm also worried about the future of EGS to be honest.
    NMS is an excellent example of how to have a great idea but to fail spectacular.
    There are LOTS of possibilites thrown out of the window (like "freighter" crew for example) and many many smaller ones too.
    Little things could be added that could make the game feel much less chaotic like a plaentary map and Star System map for example. But i think people who have been testing it have become so used to this, they didn't even notice it anymore.
    Thats where is see danger in this kind of game development. People mostly amateurs (like us) tend to loose objectivity and lack a certain perspective for ingenuity (the more people, the worse) the longer they are involved in game creation process the worse. That's not to say there are only bad ideas, but many seem to think games have to be a certain way (like the X- series, Elite series, Freelancer, and so on) especially when there are some very successful ones people vave played. So there's the opinion that there's no other way of doing things.

    Of course everyone has different priorities and i don't claim i have somekind of universal wisdom about creating a successful computer game, but i can see when developers listen to certain groups, while completely ignoring single voices.
    I think everyone involved in developing EGS should play NMS for at least 20 hours to see the flaws of that game and each one should write a paragraph about how to avoid those mistakes in EGS.


    I guess i have to wait until my idea of a good computer game comes into vogue.
     
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  3. Kieve

    Kieve Rear Admiral

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    The random asteroid fields are certainly a nuisance at times, and you're correct - it is 'videogame space.' They're there because NMS resource management is more about picking up what you need as you go, not stockpiling (and inv. space is extremely limited, as I'm sure you've noticed). Fields like those are needed so you don't end up out of gas drifting in the void.

    Of course, if you really wanted to, you could uninstall your Pulse Engines (or use a save-editor to delete them from your ship, I don't know if deconstructing them is actually possible as I've never tried). Planets would definitely feel much further apart without it. I do agree about the astronomy though, especially when they're all clustered in one particular arc of their sun's orbit. Some weird solar convergence nonsense going on there, for sure.

    Some ships handle better than others. The tiny starter you're given is not a particularly good example, though I've found it helpful to turn off the 'tethered flight' mode so the controls respond more accurately. Also, Phase Beams are your best friend in space - far more accurate and have a very small amount of auto-targeting if your reticle is lined up correctly.

    You can make small outposts as you go, set up resource collectors to return to, farms for money as Razzle mentioned, or maybe just find that perfect jewel of the cosmos and want to claim it for your own. Of course, you can always just use your freighter as your base and roam endlessly, too.

    There are a decent number of planet types that are 'barren' or uninhabited, too. My first base in NEXT was in a cavern of a bleak, empty rock.
    20180813071757_1.jpg
    Of course, I've run into several instances where the terrain reset and swallowed half my complex, so something to be 'ware of when building underground. Still makes for a pleasant retreat.

    Other things of note:
    -Sometimes you'll find entire star systems that are unmapped/uninhabited. No space station, no settlements. Or an 'abandoned' station, which uses older space-station interiors and looks like something out of Aliens.
    -Freighters and Frigates serve the all-important function of 'earn money to get stuff to make more money.' NMS was build around the idea of a lone pilot exploring the universe, so taking command of a crew isn't likely to be something in the cards (sorry, I know that's an itch you badly want scratched). It IS worth noting that if you hire Combat frigates as part of your fleet, they will warp in to assist you with fights, provided your Freighter & fleet is in the same system. Not quite the same as pitched battle between capital vessels, but they're not entirely useless.
    -There are mods / save editor for the game that can take some of the grind out, or make the awful inventory management less of a hindrance. Personally, I used the editors to increase the capacity of my Vault containers from a paltry 5 to a full 48. (Seriously? 5 slots is all that box can hold? My BACKPACK has more space!) You might also consider looking for a UI mod, as I do agree the current made-for-console version is kind of ass.
    -I'd strongly recommend the Creative mode, if resource management feels too much like a chore. As I mentioned in my other post, this is Space Tourism: The Game. Its core focus is exploring and finding new things, and there are some gatekeeping hurdles to extend gameplay and give a sense of progression - some people will like that, some are indifferent, and some will find them obnoxious, but there are answers for each case.
    20180811220849_1.jpg 20180811221845_1.jpg 20180825222459_1.jpg 20180804182157_1.jpg 20180826213741_1.jpg 20180826021718_1.jpg 20180826233617_1.jpg 20180811032858_1.jpg
    20180825204414_1.jpg
    Bottom line, there's some awesome stuff to NMS and I wouldn't write it off just yet, but how much you get out of it really depends on what you're looking for I suppose.
    ...Apparently I was looking for new desktop wallpapers?
     
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  4. Neal

    Neal Rear Admiral

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    Really interesting stuff ther for sure!

    I see you understand my point and know what i'm looking for. :)
    Isn't it strange that there are no games that would fit to what i'm looking for? Or is my taste simply so absurd no one would play such a game anyways?

    Anyways, i'll definitely try your suggestions like changing the flight model, get other weapons and try some mods.
    Not sure if i should restart in Creative mode, but on the other hand, the longer i wait the more time i waste.

    Thanks a lot, i got much to do now!

    EDIT:
    I just checked, apparently Creative mode gives you unlimited resources, no hazards and makes you basically immortal. That's a bit too much for my taste (it's not like in EGS where you can build spaceships in space anyways), so i'll stick with "normal".
     
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  5. Kieve

    Kieve Rear Admiral

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    The best advice I can give is "Have the right expectations." That's true of any game really, but more important for some games than others (NMS is definitely one of those). The essence of the game is finding joy in each new discovery, every horizon explored, new fauna & flora discovered, and the "game" parts of it are mostly just there for a sense of progression as you go. Afford bigger, better ships, with more space. Learn blueprints for better weapons & equipment. Find a better (or cooler-looking) multi-tool. "Sure, this paradise world is awesome," you say, "but maybe there's an even better one a few lightyears further."
    20180902035422_1.jpg
    Part of my enjoyment with EGS was finding that 'perfect' location to set up a sexy-looking base, claim an area as my own, and carve out my own little niche in the cosmos. NMS is very good at that, albeit somewhat lacking on the 'sexy-looking' part, so its strengths play well for me. I don't think you're wrong for wanting to be Captain Picard and live the Trek fantasy - it just needs to be understood that NMS isn't the game for that. You are the one to Boldly Go, and your freighter & fleet just sort of tag along behind.
    *Though it's also worth noting that you can land inside your freighter, head up to the bridge, and order the whole fleet to warp.
    **I've also seen at least one mod that added frigates & even freighters as 'mobile' vessels, same way you occasionally see the smaller ships flying around a planet. Might help with immersion, though it might also just leave you wanting your own pilotable frigates more.

    As for what you're really wanting from a space game... I don't know of any except perhaps Star Citizen that has (/will have) everything in one package. There are games to manage NPC crew, there are games to wage epic space battles, games to explore new worlds... just can't think of any that manage to merge them all into a cohesive experience. If I do come across anything though, I'll be sure to message you!
     
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  6. Neal

    Neal Rear Admiral

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    Maybe i just need to learn to appreciate houses more. (jk)
    Seriously, i couldn't say it any better. Exploration is what really drives me in these games, to find planets that are completely void of any signs of civilization. Maybe see some unknown aminals or mine for precious metals if it is any lifeless moon.
    Maybe discover ancient ruins that contain blueprints for new technology or parts of a greater mystery.

    That would be really amazing!

    I have found a game called "Avorion", as much as i have found out it is partly a (big) spaceship building game and strategy game. But there is no protagonist character nor the possibility to walk around or visit planets. So the exploration part is limited to space only. :(
    On the other hand, it seems that it is everything that NMS is lacking... if we could just merge both games into one.
    https://store.steampowered.com/app/445220/Avorion/
     
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  7. Keith Hovey

    Keith Hovey Captain

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    I have been saying the same thing about NMS, Empy, and Avorion lol. If only we could mush them together. The Planets from NMS, The Building from Empyrion, and the space aspects of Avorion would be amazing. One of these days either NMS or Empyrion will look across the aisle and Poor Avorion will just be doomed hahahaaah. Avorion is another good space game though.
     
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  8. SilvRav

    SilvRav Moderator

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    X4 foundations :confused: no planets and not voxel based but a dam good space game
     
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  9. Neal

    Neal Rear Admiral

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    I have heard mixed things about Elite: Dangerous, but most consider it the game NMS should have been.
    Does anyone have any experience with it?
     
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  10. SilvRav

    SilvRav Moderator

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    Ed has been around long before nms.

    ED is exceptional if you enjoy space sim without legs. You are the ship or srv, you can't walk or get out your seat but that's not what they were going for.

    Its a bit grindy and the planets are still quite empty But it's a great game none the less and it's fully based on science...its not cartoony like nms.

    You can own ships but not stations or big freighters.

    Its still worth the money for it.
     
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  11. IronCartographer

    IronCartographer Captain

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    For me Empyrion + Avorion would be sufficient. Maybe throw in a little NMS with extra creature diversity, and Subnautica for the underwater + story.

    I love Empyrion's map generation and how planets themselves can be customized almost as much as ships and bases, more than making up for the polar caps. The crafting system with automation and virtual logistics should strike the perfect balance between replacing grind with smart system design and getting too caught up in engineering details.

    It worries me when Empyrion has so many bugs and systems that weren't fully evaluated before release, but the devs obviously do listen, and learn, and when all is said and done they strike some pretty good balances in terms of gameplay, even if not so much on certain physical properties like power/RCS/thrust (yet...).

    @Keith Hovey - It's interesting that you mention HV improvements and Submarine vehicles in the same comment, as I had similar bundling in this thread- https://empyriononline.com/threads/hv-hover-engine-and-handling-improvements.22132/

    With the right balancing, SV+HV unification with dynamic thruster utilization for space/vacuum/air/surface/underwater could be amazing. I love the idea of pulling a surprising maneuver in space with an SV that can whip around an asteroid super fast due to sneaky hover engines that can pull in any direction as well as push when pointed at a nearby surface or immersed in water. Dead weight when away from matter, but stronger and stronger the closer you manage to hug a surface. :)
     
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  12. Neal

    Neal Rear Admiral

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    Arrg, that's a shame.
    I'd love to have a game that shows real Space, not some kindergarten planets that are so close they would crash into another in RL.
    But the other points outweight this one point sadly. Being confined to just the ship and only relatively small ships in particular, is not what i'm looking for.
    On one hand i find it amazing how little space games have evolved since their beginnings (Elite in 1984). Sure it has become bigger and much more shiny (graphics), but in its core it is still the same game.
    This is sad because i was much more fond with another game back then : Starflight I

    Altough it wasn't 3d, that game had everything i missed in Elite and other 3d space shooter/simulation before and after. As far as i know it was the only game that featured a relatively realistic universe (star classes, planetary systems and so on), but combined with space opera technology (Faster than light travel, multi personel spaceships, Energy shields, Lasers and so on) THAT's what i'm looking for basically.
    I know it has been a remade several years back, but i'd love to see game companies adapt that game premise and create a more modern game.

    X4 is a game on the other hand that i have overseen for quite a long time, because of the mostly negative reviews on steam it got. I don't know, maybe the developers are still working on it, or are they already after the next game in the X series?
     
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  13. SilvRav

    SilvRav Moderator

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    Oh no, don't miss understand me. Planets in Ed are vast and far quite far from each other and so are the systems. The furthest planet to date I have explored took me 30mins RL time to get to at max speed.

    Star classes and what they do or can do for you is very real in ED. I would suggest getting it, playing a bit and keep/refund after your initial thoughts.

    It had quite a steep learning curve with what weaponry is effective against what shield and hulls etc ;)

    Its also a fine tuning mission to ensure you havr enough power to run all systems without going over your weight limit or making your ship as slow as a turtle. Or make it a turtle with massive shields and fire power and tank your opponents.

    You can jump into a friend's spaceship and control his ships turrets or small fighters if you want.

    X4 yes is still quite buggy, and they busy fixing lots of issues but it is very playable.
     
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  14. IronCartographer

    IronCartographer Captain

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    Oh man... This makes me imagine a mashup of Stellaris and Elite:Dangerous with human-piloted RTS fleets, which I guess is probably fairly close to EVE except for the immersive flight controls... Hmmm... So many space games, so many slight variations on a theme. :)
     
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  15. SilvRav

    SilvRav Moderator

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  16. Neal

    Neal Rear Admiral

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    #56
  17. IronCartographer

    IronCartographer Captain

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    ...You still wouldn't have spacelegs. :) Same with Avorion.
     
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  18. Neal

    Neal Rear Admiral

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    Back then, Starflight didn't had a main character either. As a player you created a crew to fill the positionso of Captain, Navigator, Engineer, Science Tactical and Medical officer. Each one of them was replaceable with another character if they died or where seriously wounded.
    It was a different approach than usual RPGs, but i still love it today.

    I'm still puzzeling why noone made a similar game since then with newer technology of course, but the same or even more customization and a free, open game world (unlike Mass efect for example which is way too much tied to a story for my taste)
     
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  19. Keith Hovey

    Keith Hovey Captain

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    I love subnautica :) Its such a good game! Its so well done its almost like a work of art haahahah. If empyrion added half the details subnautica has underwater I dont think people would ever care to leave a planet. Im sure it will be a classic someday if its not already.

    I have seen a lot of posts about Hybrid HV's... Someday maybe... In A version far far away... A mostly water world for empyrion exists where Amphibious Vehicles roam the land and sea doing battle against the Zirax Tyrants and Mechanical Overlords of the galaxy! I dare to Dream lol.
     
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  20. Keith Hovey

    Keith Hovey Captain

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    That was the ONE downside of avorion. You ARE the ship so it only ever feels like half a space experience. What it does have is pretty wild though for a single person dev team (Until very recently). Then again all the games in this genre feel like they are missing things no matter how complete they get. I have yet to find a space game that REALLY brings space to life and completes the experience. They are ALL missing something the other one has which just leaves players looking for more elsewhere. Space games are a weird genre to develop in. To be honest though if NMS fixed the freighters, Did some more with space in general, made the ships more customizable, and improved the build experience... I think it would be spot on. Add in Dedicated servers for NMS and it would be REALLY hard to compete against as it already has a substantial modding community and a HUGE content advantage. Though I dont think the devs ever plan on making dedicated servers a thing for NMS.
     
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