No Man’s Sky is a name that is both infamous for its disastrous launch and famous for its amazing comeback. The game launched in 2016 and since then developers Hello Games have been adding more and more to make the game what it was always meant to be. If you haven’t been keeping up be sure to catch up with our ‘What’s Changed In No Man’s Sky‘.

If you’re a fan of deep space exploration games then No Man’s Sky is the game for you. And if you’ve bought the game before then the Sentiel update, v3.8 may be a reason for you to hop back in. Five and a half years after the game’s launch, the Sentinel update is overhauling the combat system. As well as a couple of further improvements. Everything you may have thought about No Man’s Sky has changed. So let’s get into what’s in the version 3.8 Sentinel update.

 

Fight alongside your own personal robotic companions and battle an array of new foes in the SENTINEL Update! Introducing a total overhaul of weapon systems; new lore and stories; all-new Sentinel enemies and combat behaviours; the ability to reprogram and adopt your very own friendly AI drone; and much, much more!

 

The Sentinel Update

No Man’s Sky‘s 3.8 update is called ‘Sentinel’ and it comes as no surprise that the new features will revolve around them. The robotic Sentinels in No Man’s Sky have acted as the game’s intergalactic police since the game’s launch. With the update the Regular Sentinels are now more formidable fighters. And there are now specific classes:

• Heavy Combat Drone – If a Sentinel patrol drone discovers a transgression, these tank-like units are the first forces summoned to the battle as highly aggressive backup.
• Hardframe Battle Mech – The tough heavily armoured Sentinel has a high-powered jetpack that gives it terrifying battlefield mobility. It comes equipped with a variety of weapons, including a plasma-powered flamethrower.

• Repair Drone – Repair Drones are lightly armed and weak, but will rapidly seek out and repair any damaged Sentinel units.
• Summoner Drone – Summoner Drones are little threat in themselves but if left unchecked will quickly overwhelm careless Travellers by calling in waves of reinforcements.

To balance all this out the Sentinel nests will also have more generous rewards for those brave enough to venture into them.

 

Combat Overhaul

With these new Sentinels, combat has also been overhauled in several significant ways. All the Multi-Tool systems, from the Mining Laser to the Scatter Blaster, have received a significant visual overhaul. Visual effects designed to make weapons more appealing are only the start of the process, though. There will also be new projectiles and beams, muzzle flashes, lighting effects, refraction, new impacts and more!

The cap on the number of Multi-Tools a Traveller can carry has been raised from three to six, allowing players to own a greater diversity of Multi-Tool styles and loadouts. Which is great because you now have a bunch of new tools to play around with.

The Sentinel update will introduce a new Cloaking Device, the Neutron Canon, and Paralysis Mortar. You’ll find all the core blueprint, and associated upgrades, available on the Space Anomaly. Upgrade modules can be found at space stations and other sites across the universe.

• Cloaking Device – Allows users to evade planetary Sentinels, even in the midst of combat.
• Neutron Cannon – This charged energy weapon can be used both as a rapid-fire projectile launcher and also charged up to release a deadly, close-range barrage of destruction. T
• Paralysis Mortar – This support weapon launches electrical energy spheres that explode and stun any entities caught in their radius.

You now also have the ability to add stun and incineration effects to weapons. The Multi-Tool can similarly be set up to deal extra damage to enemies that have previously been tagged. In general the flow and feel of combat has undergone fundamental changes, with more under the hood tweaks and balances as well. So that combat should feel more satisfying.

Tweaks include changes to camera settings, Sentinel health, Traveller and Sentinel weapon speeds and fire rates, hit indicators, rumble and camera shake, and much more.

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Introducing Your Own Robotic Companion

No Man’s Sky’s Sentinel update gives players their own floating robotic companions as well. You’ll also be able to install a Minotaur AI Pilot within your Exomech. Basically making for a mech buddy who follows you around and helps out in combat. This advanced battle computer will allow the Minotaur to follow its master as they explore the planet, and to serve as a powerful ally in combat.

Note that the Minotaur AI will always cede control to the primary user on cockpit entry.

Two distinct versions are subsequently available in game. The first, a smaller floating drone-like ally, is not too dissimilar from the Ghosts in Destiny. Travelers who want a bit more muscle are also covered, as a giant AI-powered mechanical escort can also alternatively be assembled.

In addition to that planetary combat in the Minotaur has been significantly improved. Changes include a significantly faster turn rate, the ability to backpedal, mobility and aim enhancements, and a dedicated combat camera.

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The Sentinel ‘s Story

The background and motivations of the the floating police-keeping force has been explored to a certain extent in-game already. However, No Man’s Sky’s latest Sentinel update will ratchet things up a notch, with players being able to take on new missions that relate specifically to their origins. Search for the Sentinel Pillars that are home to this lost knowledge. Unlocking them will open up new story content will be accessible at the Space Anomaly. Alongside a new Expedition that will launch next week.

Players may now temporarily clear a planet of Sentinels. Defeat the Sentinel forces that are summoned on maximum alert level and it will suppress any additional Sentinels across that planet. For a limited time.

The Sentinel Pillar is a sinister new structure that canbe found on planets across the universe. It serves as a highly-guarded control post for local Sentinel forces. Players who locate and disrupt the Pillar will be rewarded with new stories, weapons and more. Players who are able to locate and breach a Sentinel Pillar can activate its shutdown process and lock down the Sentinels without having to engage in such a large battle.

 

No Man’s Sky is available on the PlayStation 4|5, Xbox X|S, Xbox One, Xbox Game Pass, PC – Steam, Nintendo Switch and on the Steam Deck.