No Man’s Sky’s Fractal Update is adding full PlayStation VR2 support, a new starship, Expedition, and more when it launches today, February 22.
While PSVR 2 support was already confirmed for the game and virtual reality was already available on other devices, Hello Games has promised that a completely refreshed and upgraded VR experience is arriving in the Fractal update, or version 4.1.
The PSVR 2 version specifically adds reflections, terrain tessellation, increased draw distance, denser foliage, and ultra high quality textures and refraction in game, while the tech also includes headset vibrations, 3D audio technology and intelligent tracking, haptic feedback and adaptive triggers from the PSVR 2 Sense controllers, and more.
The entire game can be played in virtual reality, but players can switch back to normal gameplay at any time or start using VR from an old save.
Exploring No Man’s Sky in virtual reality does have its own benefits though, as players gain an extra level of immersion thanks to features including grabbing plants and other collectables with their hands, physically opening the cockpits of ships and exocraft (and being able to look around at VR-only details), piloting starships directly with a VR stick/throttle, and punching objects to cause damage.
“We’ve always been incredibly passionate about VR,” said Hello Games. “No Man’s Sky is about exploration and there’s nothing quite like exploring the infinite universe in virtual reality.
“Our game has changed a huge amount since our small team introduced VR support back in 2019, and we were so excited to revisit and overhaul all virtual reality for all players.”
The Fractal update also brings new features for non PlayStation and PSVR 2 users, as every No Man’s Sky player can get access to the Utopia Speeder starship, which allows super quick travel on a planet’s surface.
A new Expedition, called Utopia, challenges players to work together and rebuild an abandoned solar system for the mysterious Utopia Foundation, and also grants a new helmet, drone companion, and more as rewards.
As with most No Man’s Sky updates, there will also be other additions and quality of life improvements including gyroscopic controls on Switch, PlayStation, and Steam Deck.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelancer and acting UK news editor. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.
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