The Best New Features In No Man’s Sky Aquarius Update - September 2024

The Best New Features In No Man's Sky Aquarius Update

Key Takeaways

Aquarius update for No Man’s Sky offers new fishing mechanics, cooking recipes, and expeditions.
Bobblehead collectibles are purely cosmetic and add to the game’s theme.
Fishing in the game adds a new gameplay loop with various species to catch.

As someone who’s spent countless hours traversing the vast galaxies of No Man’s Sky since its inception, I can honestly say that the Aquarius update has been a game-changer! The addition of fishing, though simple at first glance, has added a whole new layer to the gameplay experience.

In terms of open-world exploration games, it’s hard to find peers as rich and expansive as “No Man’s Sky.” Developers Hello Games have rolled out 34 significant updates for the game, all provided free as downloadable content (DLC) to players. The most recent of these major updates is called Aquarius, which emphasizes improvements in fishing mechanics.

In addition to the Aquarius update for No Man’s Sky, numerous new gameplay elements have been introduced, including additional cooking recipes, a fresh exocraft, increased discoveries, and an engaging community expedition with the same title. Essentially, the Aquarius update and its related expedition offer much to delight No Man’s Sky enthusiasts, expanding the survival gameplay experience as well.

7 Tentacled Figurine

A New Ship Bobblehead

The Best New Features In No Man's Sky Aquarius Update

Looks like a comedy squid.
Does not give any bonuses.

Hello Games started incorporating bobblehead figures into the cockpits of spaceships within the game as early as 2020, and they’ve been consistently providing blueprints for more bobbleheads with each update and exploration mission. The latest one introduced is the Tentacled Figurine.

In contrast to past bobbleheads that provided passive benefits, this one serves only a decorative purpose. It aligns perfectly with the Aquarius update’s theme, featuring an oddly designed squid-like creature. For avid bobblehead collectors in No Man’s Sky, this is an exciting new addition. It also complements beautifully in the cockpit of exotic-class ships.

6 Fishing Focused Discoveries

With Catches Tracked

Keep a record of the fish you catch.
Compete with yourself to set new records.

As a devoted enthusiast, I’m thrilled about the recent Aquarius update in No Man’s Sky, which has introduced fishing! Now, I can not only explore the vast universe but also keep track of my catches. A brand-new section has been added to the Discoveries catalog, making it effortless for me to log and savor each catch.

Fishery records outline various species of fish that can be captured, providing information about their locations, preferred habitats, and the weather conditions suitable for catching them. Uncaught fish appear in shades of gray, while those already caught are highlighted in color, offering extra details like the largest specimen ever caught by the player.

5 New Cooking Recipes

Fish And Seafood Recipes

Turn raw fish into cooked food.
Every player gains these recipes.

With the latest Aquarius upgrade in No Man’s Sky, several fresh culinary recipes have been incorporated. Many of these dishes require uncooked fish as a fundamental ingredient for preparation.

In the game, a variety of fish recipes have been incorporated, such as pan-fried fish, barbecued fillets, pickled versions, and steaks. This expansion brings an engaging play mechanic to the game. Now, players can embark on fishing adventures, reel in their catches, and then prepare the fish they’ve caught into nutritious meals.

4 Automated Fish Traps

Catches Fish Over Time

Can only be placed in shallow water.
Has a 1 hour cycle.

As a dedicated No Man’s Sky player, I myself might find the task of catching raw ingredients for cooking meals somewhat less engaging. But fear not! With the introduction of the Aquarius update, an automated fishing trap feature has been added to the game, making this aspect more manageable for players like me who prefer focusing on other aspects.

An automatic fishing device can be set up in shallow waters, where it floats on the surface and attempts to snare fish with its four individual hooks. Each hook catches various types of fish. Unfortunately, there’s currently no equivalent automated method for milking animals.

3 New Exo Vehicle

The Exo-Skiff

Can be used as a deep-water fishing platform.
Cannot move under its own power.

In the Aquarius update for No Man’s Sky, numerous deep-water fish species have been introduced. To catch these elusive aquatic creatures, players will need to venture out into the ocean depths as they can no longer be found or caught from the shore. Instead, a platform is required for fishing in deeper waters.

Here are two options for solving this issue:

2 Aquarius Expedition

A New Community Expedition

Revolves around the new fishing feature.
Has some great rewards.

With each significant upgrade to “No Man’s Sky,” a fresh community quest called the Aquarius Expedition is introduced. The Aquarius update itself features this expedition, which centers around the novel fishing mechanics. Players progress by achieving milestones and phases that require them to locate and catch particular fish species.

Some of the rewards are excellent, and include a complete deep-sea diver armor set and the Lost Angler’s Fishing Rig. It takes around 10 hours to complete the expedition from a cold start, or even quicker if a player pays the cost in nanites to bring their main ship and multitool into the expedition.

1 Fishing

A long Awaited Addition

Basic fishing mechanics more luck than skill.
Many different species of fish to catch.

Among many desired gameplay elements for No Man’s Sky, fishing is one of the most frequently requested features. Excitingly, with the release of the Aquarius update, Hello Games has made fishing a reality within the game. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the fishing mechanics are quite elementary in execution.

In No Man’s Sky, the standout aspect of the latest fishing mechanic lies in its vast array of catchable species. Some of these can be found exclusively on certain planets, while others are only available under specific weather conditions. All in all, it adds a fresh and enjoyable element to the game.

2024-09-09 18:53