Cyberpunk 2077 Pales in Comparison to No Man’s Sky’s Salvation Story as Title Reaches 80% Positive Steam Reviews After a Disastrous Launch Eight Years Ago

In the gaming industry, redemption stories are about as common as day-one patches. Some games stumble at launch, pick themselves up, dust off their code, and carry on. Others face-plant so spectacularly that their recovery becomes the stuff of legend. No Man’s Sky definitely started in the latter category.

While Cyberpunk 2077 has certainly written its own comeback story, with CD Projekt Red recently announcing an impressive 30 million copies sold, Hello Games has been quietly penning an epic of their own. And today, that epic reached a milestone that would have seemed impossible back in 2016.

The space exploration game that once served as the internet’s favorite punching bag has just achieved “Very Positive” reviews across the board on Steam. Not just “Recent Reviews”—we’re talking about the whole enchilada here, folks.

No Man’s Sky: The Greatest Comeback Since Sliced Bread Got Toasted

Remember 2016? Pokémon GO was all the rage, everyone was doing the Mannequin Challenge, and No Man’s Sky was teaching the gaming industry a masterclass in how not to launch a game. The promises were sky-high, the delivery was underground, and the internet was… well, the internet about it.

But instead of pulling a classic “Sorry, not sorry” move or hiding behind PR speak, Hello Games did something revolutionary: they shut up and got to work. No excuses, no fake promises—just pure, unadulterated dedication to making their game better.

Holy shit you guys – it happened 🥳

ALL REVIEWS: Very Positive 😍

Thank you Thank you Thank you❤️

You have no idea what this means to us 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Go0uyZHZA6

— Sean Murray (@NoMansSky) November 27, 2024

The journey from “Mostly Negative” to “Very Positive” on Steam has been nothing short of extraordinary. We’re talking about a game that’s transformed from a lonely space simulator into a full-blown multiplayer universe with base building, space fleets, mechanical companions, and even the ability to become a space pirate (eat your heart out, Star Citizen).

The community’s response to this achievement speaks volumes:

You guys are an example of what the industry should strive for after a fuckup. You owned it. Worked hard and you gave us an amazing game.

Thank you.

— MisterBiter (@MisterBiter) November 27, 2024

What’s particularly impressive is Hello Games’ approach to post-launch support. While other developers might have reached for the DLC button faster than a speedrunner hitting skip, Hello Games has consistently delivered substantial updates completely free of charge:

Very much deserved! 👏Continuously providing great community support. Even when they want to throw more money at you, you don’t take it. Will always love your team!

— Z0VRIS (@Z0VRIS) November 27, 2024

This isn’t just about fixing bugs or adding a few new spaceships. We’re talking about fundamental overhauls and massive additions that have essentially turned No Man’s Sky into the game everyone dreamed it would be back in 2016:

The greatest redemption arc of all time. Congratulations to you and your team for all the hard work and dedication that has brought you back from the depths. And just think you guys didn’t raise $730M and be still be in alpha…..

— Michael Baia (@NewVariant24) November 27, 2024

The community’s unwavering support and Hello Games’ dedication to their vision have created something truly special. But while some developers learn from these success stories, others seem to be taking entirely the wrong message.

When “Fix It Later” Becomes “Fix It Never”

While both No Man’s Sky and Cyberpunk 2077 have proven that redemption is possible (with CDPR’s 2.0 update and Phantom Liberty expansion earning well-deserved praise), some publishers seem to have misinterpreted these success stories entirely:

I literally just got back on this lastnight. Only thing thats unfortunate is that the “Fix it later” culture started after this and folks kept using you guys as an example and failed. Whatever your next project is, I hopes its a 10 right out the gate. You guys flipped the script…

— LUPASAN (@LUPASAN2) November 27, 2024

The industry’s current “ship now, patch maybe” approach is becoming increasingly concerning. While CD Projekt Red moves on to exciting new horizons with Project Polaris (aka The Witcher 4) after delivering on their promises, other major releases continue to launch in states that would make early access games blush.

Recent examples like Star Wars Outlaws‘ and, more recently, STALKER 2‘s technical troubles, as well as Starfield‘s continued reliance on modders to reach its full potential suggest that some publishers have learned all the wrong lessons from these redemption stories. It’s one thing to improve your game post-launch; it’s another to treat your paying customers as beta testers.

The success of No Man’s Sky proves there’s a better way—one that prioritizes player trust and satisfaction over quick profits. It’s a lesson that’s particularly relevant as we watch the industry’s biggest names continue to stumble at launch.

What do you think about these different approaches to game development and post-launch support? Has No Man’s Sky set an unrealistic standard, or should more developers follow their example? Share your thoughts in the comments below!