No Man’s Sky Relics Update Fixes A Huge Problem With Abandoned Mode

No Man’s Sky has once again delivered a free content update, and this time, it’s giving players something they’ve been asking for since Abandoned Mode was introduced. The Relics update expands the eerie, NPC-free universe in a way that finally makes it feel like a legitimate, standalone game mode—rather than just an extra challenge setting.

For those who haven’t tried Abandoned Mode yet, it’s essentially No Man’s Sky with all NPCs removed, leaving you to explore a quiet, eerie, lifeless galaxy. While it was an interesting concept, it had one big issue: players were locked out of purple-class star systems (which contain some of the game’s rarest and most unique planets) because they required story progression. Now, that restriction is gone, and Abandoned Mode is better than ever.

What’s New in the Relics Update?

The Relics update brings a ton of cool content, including new archaeology mechanics, an expedition event, and some awesome rewards like living stone armor and a skeletal creature companion. But for Abandoned Mode players, the most exciting changes are:

1. Purple star systems are now accessible from the start – No need to complete story quests!
2. Abandoned space stations now have upgrade stations – You can now upgrade your exosuit, starship, and multitool even in an NPC-free galaxy.
3. Free multi-tools available – You can grab multi-tools at abandoned stations, though you’ll need materials to repair them.
4. Better salvage rewards – Loot from derelict locations is now more generous, making exploration more rewarding.

Before this update, Abandoned Mode felt unnecessarily restricted. The whole idea behind it was to give players a peaceful, isolated universe to explore, but blocking off some of the game’s most unique planets felt counterproductive.

Now that purple-class systems are accessible, the mode offers everything the main game does but with a unique, NPC-free vibe. Players can now roam gas giants, ocean worlds, and bizarre new planets without worrying about being locked out of content.

On top of that, the abandoned space station upgrades and improved loot make progression feel way smoother. You can now fully upgrade your gear without needing to rely on NPC vendors, keeping the immersion intact.

Is Abandoned Mode the Best Way to Play Now?

For a lot of players, yes. If you love the idea of a chill, exploration-focused No Man’s Sky without being interrupted by NPCs or quests, this might be the best way to experience the game. Instead of feeling like a challenge mode, it now feels like a true alternative playstyle, allowing you to:

• Explore the entire galaxy freely from the start.
• Enjoy a more immersive, solo experience without NPC interactions.
• Discover unique planets and biomes that were previously locked behind story progression.
• Upgrade your gear naturally without breaking the lore.

This update proves once again that Hello Games listens to its community. What started as a frustrating limitation in Abandoned Mode is now one of its best features. If you’ve been waiting for a reason to dive back into No Man’s Sky, now might be the perfect time—especially if you love pure exploration.