I just recently got into NMS just before the Aquarius update. I’ve really enjoyed things so far, but I’m at a weird point now. Every one of my primary missions has some vague objective that I can’t actually complete. The story (as it is) seems to have completely stalled out. I’m left to repetitious side missions like the Base Computer Archives and Settlers.
Is there anything else in terms of story, or am I on my own now? I just figured there would be some sort of resolution to Artemis, Atlas, or any of the really cool and interesting plots that seem to be going on here.
There are resolutions to all the quests, yes, but you’ll come across the pieces as you explore the universe. You are pretty much on your own now, but I can offer a few tips to progress I think.
You can ignore the base computer quests, and the settlers - those are endless for you now, I think. Something more interesting will pop up from them if it’s a major story beat.
As far as what you’re even looking for: Do you have all 16 glyphs? Have you saved any freighters in battle yet? Looted a derelict? Tamed a little companion buddy? Have you made it to the centre of the galaxy? Got an organic ship? Got a fleet? Can you travel to any colour star? It took me ages to find the Constructs, dunno if you’ve run across them yet… And this is far from a comprehensive list. It’s a big universe with lots to find!
Good to know. I’ve seen people online almost Stargating with this big teleporter and figured things would eventually resolve somehow. I suppose I just need to keep exploring!
I’ve started a settlement, I have a freighter with a bunch of frigates. I have S or A class in every type of ship. I’ve done a could of derelict frigates. I’m still trying to customize my freighter, but man finding modules is hard! Haven’t found any glyphs yet though …
I’m still planning on exploring and playing, I just wasn’t sure if I did something wrong in terms of the story. I think it’s super interesting and compelling, so when it just ended I was thrown for a loop.
Can you post a screenshot of your mission log to give more of an idea what stage you’re at with each one? I’d kind of assumed you’d found the Anomaly for example, but I shouldn’t have. Mine looks like this, on my permadeath save:
I think you’re guaranteed the choice of a frigate upgrade module or a bulkhead expansion (freighter inventory slot) at the end of every emergency beacon derelict (the space ones).
Sorry for the potato quality. These are all of my current missions and, for example, I have really nothing else to do to find Artemis (even though I haven’t. Last thing was them sending me some coordinates to a signal tower). I’ve spent just so many nanites on blueprints and I’ve done 1 Nexus mission, but it wasn’t with another player because I play at weird times and have only ever seen someone in the Nexus once.
To fill things out, my objective for Ghosts in the Machine is “collect nanites to buy technology upgrades” which I’ve done a bunch, and for Atlas Eternal it’s “find a wonder to show the Atlas” which I’ve done a few times with no change (this one feels just like the Base Computer Archives mission that just keeps sending me to the same place over and over).
Edit: Oh wait, also make sure you have “Ghosts In The Machine” selected when you go to the signal tower!
Yeah, the “show the Atlas a wonder” quest is repeatable and endless, same for Base Computer and Settlers, so you’ve completed those questlines (at least, Atlas and I’m pretty sure Settlers - Base Computer might offer more as you progress the Artemis quest line).
As to Ghosts in the Machine, that signal tower you get sent to should have someone to talk to at it. I don’t think it’s possible to have missed something with that quest in your log, because talking at the signal tower is the very first part of it.
If you select the Ghosts In The Machine mission, there’s a way to restart it “with local objectives” or something to that effect. I’ll see if I can find how to do it when I’m back at my desk - the internet is being unhelpful right now.
Awesome, thanks for the info! I’ll try that out.
I could use those tips on resolving the big quests. I thought they didn’t end for years.
Er, well, the tips were kinda in the form of the questions haha 😂 If you can post your mission log (posted mine in a response to OP elsewhere), I or someone else might be able to give more specific pointers (without spoiling anything, if possible).
Here you go. Looking at it the Atlas one is a good deal more definite than I remember it being prior to my hiatus…
Oh! Yeah bud, those are the resolution of those quests. Your remaining objective is to enjoy reality, while it lasts. Is that 16 seconds? 16 hours? 16 weeks? 16 years? None can say. Just enjoy the ride 😊
The Atlas one is just a repeatable quest where you can show the atlas something you scanned and then added to your list of wonders. It’s a menu thing in the Discoveries list.
Alright, thanks. At least now I’ve got confirmation rather than potentially missing something.
It’d be rather amusing if NMS lasts for exactly 16 of some obscure unit of a large amount of time.
Do whatever you want. I like setting goals for myself like building stasis chamber farms, maxing equipment, getting all the techs, building beautiful bases, collecting rare ships, etc.
I honestly don’t really remember the main quest progression (I last did it a really long time ago), but I think there were a couple of steps that were time or exploration/research gated…
I can say that the story of Artemis has an ending, you should probably just try go on and research some Archive related things on the Base computer or jump around to new systems
As a general rule, IMHO, to really enjoy it you should treat NMS as a sandbox game that happens to have a story that sometimes pops up
If you’ve been through the center of the Galaxy, now you’re on your own. There is no further resolution.
Now, you’re there to explore and experience.
There are more story elements, but they are told in a much more subtle way. There’s lots to discover.
Haven’t been to the center of the galaxy yet. I made the Heart of the Sun for Atlas, but then it just wants wonders. I’ve done this about 5 times and it just keeps repeating.
Yeah for some reason most of the quests never actually the o away, they just have vague messages as the objective when they’re done.
Not a player here. What’s the Aquarius update?
No Man’s Sky gets regular content updates that add new stuff to the game - graphical updates like new water behaviours for example, new quests, new cosmetics, and new mechanics. Aquarius was the latest update and added fishing and a bunch of fishing related items, quests, and cosmetics.
I’ve had the game since launch and highly recommend it now. It’s very chill, and very pretty. A nice way to unwind after work. When not on a quest, it’s a very unguided experience; the trick, I’ve found, is to set little goals for yourself and then focus on those, one at a time.
The whole message of the game is “the journey is what’s important, the destination never existed at all”, and the gameplay loop reflects that.
TLDR: They added Fishing
More info here
If you’re looking for something to do outside of the story, I’d also recommend checking out the Galactic Hub Project civilization! Many end-game players (including me, playing since release night) have found that it adds substantial life into the game.
Thanks! I’ll look into that.
