The stars blur and streak as I warp into a new galaxy. A few seconds later, my ship jerks to a stop, and an orange and blue planet with Saturn-like rings floats in front of me. I quickly scan it for resources: copper, pyrite, cactus flesh. Sentinal activity: low. Desert Planet. Unexplored. Unmapped.
I need chromatic metals for my next upgrade, so I aim for the planet and use my pulse engines until I enter the atmosphere. My shields heat up and my pulse engines disengage. The terrain comes into focus as I draw closer, and I search for a landing spot.
A little over a month ago, I read Don't Read the Comments by Eric Smith. I mostly chose the book to satisfy a reading challenge requiring me to read a book by an author with my first name. And, I liked the title.
In the book, two of the main characters bond over a video game that allows them to explore the universe and complete challenges. He wrote so enchantingly about the game that I googled to see if it was a real game. It wasn't, but No Man's Sky sounded similar.
I bought my boys an X-Box a few years ago, and I've played Madden a little, but I mostly don't have time for video games. Then, I tested positive for Covid and had lots of time. I couldn't go into work. I couldn't go for runs. I couldn't do much but sit on the couch, read, and play games.
I'm not proud of the number of hours I've spent playing No Man's Sky, but it is really compelling. The worlds are beautiful. Some sort of game engine mixes the ingredients of different worlds to make them feel fresh and weirdly unique plants and animals inhabit each world.
The game also provides several concurrent missions that are challenging but not overwhelming. It's gratifying to complete one, but then a new level is offered and I want to pursue that too. I'm playing the exploration version, so, even though there are dangers and even a few space pirates, I'm not dying and re-spawning all the time. I'm just moving from challenge to challenge, unravelling the mysteries of the universe.
The game does have some narrative structure that the challenges support. I follow that a little, but I also wander of on side quests and just goof off in space too.
It's easy to lose yourself in this world because there's always something new around the next bend.
As I exit my ship, I start scanning the orange and blue horizon for new creatures and possible goodies to harvest. I get myself lost in the world.
I need chromatic metals for my next upgrade, so I aim for the planet and use my pulse engines until I enter the atmosphere. My shields heat up and my pulse engines disengage. The terrain comes into focus as I draw closer, and I search for a landing spot.
A little over a month ago, I read Don't Read the Comments by Eric Smith. I mostly chose the book to satisfy a reading challenge requiring me to read a book by an author with my first name. And, I liked the title.
In the book, two of the main characters bond over a video game that allows them to explore the universe and complete challenges. He wrote so enchantingly about the game that I googled to see if it was a real game. It wasn't, but No Man's Sky sounded similar.
I bought my boys an X-Box a few years ago, and I've played Madden a little, but I mostly don't have time for video games. Then, I tested positive for Covid and had lots of time. I couldn't go into work. I couldn't go for runs. I couldn't do much but sit on the couch, read, and play games.
I'm not proud of the number of hours I've spent playing No Man's Sky, but it is really compelling. The worlds are beautiful. Some sort of game engine mixes the ingredients of different worlds to make them feel fresh and weirdly unique plants and animals inhabit each world.
The game also provides several concurrent missions that are challenging but not overwhelming. It's gratifying to complete one, but then a new level is offered and I want to pursue that too. I'm playing the exploration version, so, even though there are dangers and even a few space pirates, I'm not dying and re-spawning all the time. I'm just moving from challenge to challenge, unravelling the mysteries of the universe.
The game does have some narrative structure that the challenges support. I follow that a little, but I also wander of on side quests and just goof off in space too.
It's easy to lose yourself in this world because there's always something new around the next bend.
As I exit my ship, I start scanning the orange and blue horizon for new creatures and possible goodies to harvest. I get myself lost in the world.