A science fiction game originally released in 2016 is still incredibly popular on the PS5. It was the 17th most downloaded game on the PlayStation Store in September and currently ranks as one of the most-played games on the console, according to PS Time Tracker. What’s remarkable is that it’s primarily a single-player experience, and didn’t even have multiplayer features when it first came out. Unlike many popular games today, it’s not a ‘live service’ title, yet players continue to enjoy it in large numbers, nearly a decade after its release.
When people talk about great sci-fi games recently, titles like *NieR Automata*, *Half-Life: Alyx*, *Returnal*, and *Death Stranding* (including its 2025 sequel) often come up. Surprisingly, *No Man’s Sky* doesn’t usually get mentioned, even though it’s been much more widely played. However, it might be time to consider *No Man’s Sky* as one of the best sci-fi games, not just of the last ten years, but of all time.
Not the Game It Was in 2016
When *No Man’s Sky* launched in 2016, it was a highly anticipated game, especially for the PlayStation 4. This was surprising, as it came from a relatively unknown independent developer, Hello Games. The game generated a lot of hype due to its exciting possibilities, but also because the developers made a lot of promises they couldn’t keep. Unfortunately, the disappointment caused by those broken promises overshadowed the game’s potential, and the launch was widely considered a failure.
Initially, No Man’s Sky faced criticism, but Hello Games steadily transformed it through consistent updates. These improvements not only fixed issues but also added substantial new content, resulting in one of the most impressive turnarounds the gaming world has ever seen. While traces of the original 2016 game remain, the sheer amount of new content makes playing in 2025 a completely different experience.
While you can finish the main story of *No Man’s Sky* in around 30 hours, that’s not really the point of the game. Its lasting appeal comes from its incredible ability to create unique worlds and complex gameplay. This encourages endless exploration, sparking curiosity and keeping players engaged. In fact, the game has a larger player base now in 2025 than when it first launched in 2016.
Last month, only *Helldivers 2* sold more copies than *No Man’s Sky* on PlayStation 5. *Helldivers 2* is a newer game and features online multiplayer, which likely contributes to its popularity. It consistently ranks among the most downloaded games on the PlayStation Store each month, even at its full $60 price.
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2025-10-11 19:41