No Man's Sky's first update of 2022 brings a much-needed combat overhaul

eurogamer.net:

Six years after its launch, there's a hell of a lot to love about No Man's Sky; its rudimentary combat system, however, isn't really one of them, barely having evolved since the exploratory space sim's initial release back in 2016. That, though, is set to change with today's new Sentinel update, which brings with an much-needed combat overhaul along with AI mechs and robotic drone pals, plus other miscellaneous combat-focused additions.

According to Hello Games, Sentinel — No Man's Sky's first update of 2022 — is intended to make combat a more «dynamic and impactful» experience, providing the means to tackle the game's hostile robotic Sentinels in «more meaningful ways» To that end, the update brings with it a broad array of improvements and refinements focused on enhancing combat feel and flow, as detailed in the latest patch notes. The headline features, however, are highlighted below.

For starters, No Man's Sky's familiar armaments have all received a total visual — impacting lasers, projectiles, muzzle flashes, lighting effects, and refraction — and are joined by a range of new offensive and defensive tools. These include the high-energy Neutron Cannon, a stun grenade, and an active cloaking device, plus advanced upgrades capable of imbuing existing weapons with the likes of stun and incineration effects, or extra damage to targets.

No Man's Sky — Sentinel Update Trailer.

Alongside all this new firepower, the Sentinels themselves get an overhaul. Now, when encountered out in the wild, they'll deploy new utilities such as mobile energy shields, terrain-destroying grenades, and plasma-powered flamethrower. Additionally, they're able to call on new drone types, including heavies, summoners and repair units, plus the