No Man’s Sky

Availability: Windows (Steam Deck OK), macOS, iPadOS, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch

Starfield is promising an epic universe, with upward of 1,000 planets to explore. That’s impressive, but what if you want to experience a slightly larger scale? Like a quintillion planets large? Oh, is that not enough? Okay, what about 18 quintillion planets? If you haven’t checked out No Man’s Sky in recent years (or perhaps ever), then you, the aspiring virtual space explorer, owe it to yourself to jump into what is one of gaming’s greatest comeback stories (and a solid space sim, besides).

Originally launching in 2016 to lukewarm reception, No Man’s Sky might’ve fallen shy of expectations in its early days, but such times are lightyears behind us. The countless updates and solid support the game’s received since have only improved and expanded the experience. And few other games are really able to capture the thrill and scale of seeing a distant planet, taking off in your ship, and landing there. In fact, while Starfield promises many planets to explore, it won’t actually have an atmosphere-breaking, planet-landing animation. No Man’s Sky not only delivers that, but makes it one of the best and most immersive parts of the whole experience.

There’s a lot to do in No Man’s Sky too, whether that’s mining, crafting, getting into space dogfights with pirates, or just exploring and taking in the sights. Recent difficulty adjustments have also lowered the bar for entry, so if you just want a chill trip through the cosmos without investing too much time gathering tons of resources to fuel your ship, there’s never been a better time to hop into No Man’s Sky.