No Man's Sky Fractal Update 4.1
It’s hard to believe it’s been over six years since No Man’s Sky first launched, and the team at Hello Games is still tirelessly working to make the game better with every update. The Fractal 4.1 update is the latest in a long line of improvements, and it's packed with new features. From accessibility enhancements to support for PlayStation®VR2, there’s a lot to unpack. And if you haven’t had a chance to experience this evolving universe, it’s now available on Xbox Game Pass, making it easier than ever for subscribers to jump in at no extra cost.
Utopia Expedition
The Bakkin system is in dire straits—trade routes are disrupted, the Space Station is abandoned, and the whole place is left to rot after an exodus of intelligent lifeforms. There’s an unusual amount of solar activity that hampers item creation outside of a planetary base’s shelter.
Enter the kind-hearted Utopia Foundation, which is coordinating a massive reconstruction effort. By joining the collaborative habitation team, you can help revitalize Bakkin, turning it back into a thriving hub of activity and prosperity.
Utopia Speeder Starship
If you complete the full set of Utopia Foundation initiatives, you will unlock the new Utopia Speeder starship. This versatile spacecraft is designed for better maneuverability in orbit, thanks to its aerodynamic design, and comes equipped with radiation-resistant armor for extra protection.
New Wonders Section in the Catalog
The update introduces a Wonders Catalogue, a new section in the game’s catalog where you can explore your most impressive and strange finds. From gigantic herbivores to ancient trees, this catalog serves as a treasure trove of your interstellar adventures’ most memorable souvenirs.
Better HDR Lighting
With the Fractal update, the game’s HDR lighting has improved significantly. Colors and tones are now calibrated closer to those of a typical dynamic range display, enhancing visual experience while maintaining HDR’s stunning contrasts.
PlayStation®VR2 Support
No Man’s Sky now offers a more immersive VR experience with compatibility for the new PlayStation®VR2 hardware. You can pilot spacecraft, wield Multi-Tools with the new ergonomic Sense controllers, and enjoy gameplay and quality-of-life enhancements at up to 4K resolution.
Nexus Missions on Switch
Good news for Nintendo Switch players: the Fractal update brings Nexus Missions to the platform. Now you can sign up at the Space Anomaly and embark on new missions.
Home Screen Game Options
Another quality-of-life improvement is the addition of settings and gameplay options right from the main menu. You no longer have to wait for the game to load to tweak your gameplay and graphics settings.
Virtual Reality Overhaul
The VR experience has received substantial enhancements. The Personal Forcefield now moves to your non-dominant hand, making it easier to deflect enemy fire. New controls for Target Sweep and Hotspot Surveying with the Analysis Visor make finding mission locations and power hotspots more straightforward.
VR Galaxy Map
Navigation and warp destination selection have been improved on the VR Galaxy Map, making it easier for VR travelers to reach the galaxy's center.
New Accessibility Features
The Fractal update introduces several new accessibility features, allowing players to customize their experience for greater ease of use. New configurations can automatically analyze animals, flora, and minerals when centered on the screen. The option to enlarge certain menu texts makes reading from a distance easier. Additionally, you can now scale the HUD.
Tweakable Gameplay
Left-handed players rejoice! Your character can now wield the Multi-Tool with the left hand, visible on the right side of the screen. The third-person camera's automatic rotation can be disabled, giving you full manual control. You can also grant network privileges to friends, allowing them to view your refiner’s contents. And, if you prefer, you can set the game language independently from your system language.
Quality of Life Improvements
The Fractal update is all about making the No Man's Sky experience smoother and more enjoyable. With a quick charge feature, you can fully refuel base components like refiners with a single click. Multiplayer has also seen upgrades, with a completely reworked method for synchronizing refiner contents for better stability. Plus, an emergency warp button now allows builders to reset their positions, saving them from getting stuck inside their freighter bases.
Motion Controls
Stick input has been refined with gyroscopic motion sensor support, available for both PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. This makes aiming with the Multi-Tool effortless and provides a more immersive experience when surveying flora with the Analysis Visor. Motion control settings can be adjusted in the Options menu, where you can tweak sensitivity and smoothing as needed.
Expanded Starship Fleets
With the Fractal update, you can now grow your fleet! The game now supports three additional ship slots, allowing you to manage a maximum fleet size of twelve.
Patch Notes
For those who crave the nitty-gritty details, here are some key patch notes from the 4.1 Fractal update:
VR Enhancements
New Wonders
Gyro Controls
New Options
Rendering and Optimizations
UI and Quality of Life Improvements
Bug Fixes
New Missions
Utopia Expedition
Updated Particles
For the complete list of updates, check out the official No Man’s Sky Fractal update page.
Is Now a Good Time to Get Into No Man's Sky?
If you’ve been on the fence about starting No Man’s Sky, now’s a fantastic time to dive in. The game has undergone a complete transformation since its launch, now featuring a robust multiplayer mode, a wide variety of planets to explore, and endless opportunities for crafting and trading. With the Fractal update bringing a host of new improvements, there’s never been a better time to start your interstellar journey!
#NoMansSky #FractalUpdate #PSVR2 #XboxGamePass #NintendoSwitch #VRGaming #GamingUpdates #UtopiaExpedition #AccessibilityFeatures #MotionControls
Comments