No Man’s Sky: Sentinel Update Refreshes Now-Aging Combat

No Man’s Sky received its first update of the year on February 16 with the release of No Man’s Sky: Sentinel. The free Sentinel update brings an overhaul of the combat systems and enemies currently in order to make the game more challenging. Sentinel is a combat-focused update with new enemies, new weapons, new tools, and a new story that delves into the origins of the Sentinels, bringing the action of No Man’s Sky more in line with updates that have come to other areas of the game.

The AI module for the Exo-Mech is just one of the No Man’s Sky Sentinel update’s enemy-filled adventures. Crafting an AI Module for the Exo-Mech allows the player’s mech to travel alongside them as a companion and will ward off Planetary Sentinel forces without having to physically pilot the mech. Additionally, the Sentinel update brings a new enemy to the Planetary Sentinel forces, the Hardframe Battle Mech. This mech is significantly more mobile than others with a jetpack upon its back. Similar to the Minotaur Exo-mech, the Hardframe Battle Mech comes equipped not only with its jetpack but also with lasers and fire terrain-destroying grenades. Elite drones and Sentinels also now include classes like heavies, summoners, repair units, and Exo-mechs. Sentinel forces also can deploy energy shields to protect themselves from return fire.

Players can combat the fierce Sentinels in No Man’s Sky: Sentinel with new weapons. There is a new high-energy Neutron Cannon that fires blue bolts that deal massive damage to Sentinel units. Players can additionally activate a cloaking device that lets them fade from view while new stun grenades disrupt enemy systems to allow for a quick escape. As for players looking for an additional challenge, the locations of Sentinel “nests” have been made known, adding generous rewards for those raiding the infested hives.

Sentinel Update Improves No Man’s Sky’s Graphics & Combat

A visual overhaul makes all the new combat changes in No Man’s Sky: Sentinel more exciting with tweaks and refinements with the implementation AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution giving players more options to push out even more performance. The Sentinel update also touches on Steam Deck compatibility, with Steam Deck Support for No Man’s Sky. Nvidia GPU owners can expect to see its DLSS implemented with the Sentinel update. These graphical improvements allow for the feel of weapons and multitools to flow better and make combat generally look a lot flashier than it has in the past.

There is a lot to unpack within the Sentinel update, including mysterious stories and chances to learn more about the origins of the Sentinels, Atlas, and the beginnings of the universe itself, alongside the multitude of combat improvements. The updates are refreshing for No Man’s Sky, and the update is available for free across PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, as well as through Xbox Game Pass and in VR. No Man’s Sky has more content coming, with a release to Nintendo Switch later this year. The No Man’s Sky: Sentinel update is a strong start to the year for the survival game.

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