No Man’s Sky’s New “Relics” Update Turns You into a Fossil-Hunting Space Explorer

If you’ve ever fantasized about diving into No Man’s Sky and living the dream as a dinosaur-loving paleontologist who, by some twist of fate, ended up dating Jennifer Aniston, today might just be your day to shine. Hello Games has launched the Relics update, and the standout feature is all about hunting for gigantic alien fossils.

This is a continuation of the sweeping Worlds update that landed in January, introducing “billions of new stars and planets,” with the highlight being enormous gas giants and quirky flying squid-like creatures ready to give you a good slap if you fish a little too aggressively.

Anyone eager for a taste of space paleontology can dive into the details presented in the latest blog post accompanying the Relics update, as well as in the video rundown. Imagine taking on the role of Ross Geller from Friends, sans the gloomy episodes, sandwich tantrums, or awkward holiday costumes, as you explore the galaxy searching for “hundreds of unique bones.” Assemble these in your museum and piece together the history of these ancient beings. Will you indulge in a bit of mischief by rearranging the bones to trick No Man’s Sky’s vibrant alien life into believing they descend from a race of unattractive, tech-savvy folks humorously dubbed the Fartongueians? It’s a tempting thought.

However, on reconsideration, maybe it’s best to tread carefully. This update also brings along Reanimated Guardians—massive stone creatures found in planetary fossil beds, zealously protecting these ancient resting places from intruders. They might not be the backside-faced stone beings I whimsically imagined, but they do sound fascinating. Alongside them, expect to encounter Living Stone Sentries and Colossal Stone Effigies, which are described as dormant “monumental stone figures” that serve as reminders of age-old alien cultures.

As you delve deeper, you might even cross paths with living fossils like Titanic Boneworms and “skeletal fauna,” lurking around certain planets and in unique purple star systems, offering a different kind of adventure. In addition, make sure to visit Fossil Collectors on Space Stations where you can sell your curated fossil displays, trade bones, or even whip up some bone-inspired culinary delights.

Don’t forget to enroll in the Galactic Palaeology Society and embark on the new expedition that Relics introduces. Your endeavors will be rewarded with a jetpack fashioned from sentient rock, a character appearance shift to mimic a sentient rock, and a skeletal creature companion.

Are you secretly yearning to channel your inner space Ross? Share your thoughts with us below!