If you’ve ever fantasized about diving into No Man’s Sky as a dinosaur-loving enthusiast who somehow managed to charm Jennifer Aniston, you’re in for a treat. The latest update from Hello Games, dubbed the Relics update, has just landed, and it’s all about collecting enormous alien fossils.
Building on January’s colossal Worlds update—which introduced “billions of new stars and planets” alongside vast gas giants and peculiarly aggressive flying squid—you can now embrace your inner palaeontologist in space.
As detailed in the Relics update blog and the accompanying video, you’re stepping into the shoes of a space palaeontologist—kind of like Ross Geller from Friends, minus the existential crises, sandwich obsessions, or quirky holiday costumes. Your mission? Travel the cosmos to “unearth hundreds of unique bones,” piecing them together in your museum to discern the appearance of these ancient life forms. Could you cheekily reposition bones, making skulls out of hipbones, and convince the game’s colorful array of aliens that they hail from the hilariously named Fartongueians—a technologically advanced albeit halitosis-challenged species? Worth a shot, I’d say.
But hold on—there’s a twist! The update also brings Reanimated Guardians, those “hulking stone lifeforms” that vigilantly snooze near planetary fossils, ready to guard these sacred sites from nosy Travellers. These guardians look more like cool stone robot protectors than bizarre bum-faced anomalies, swiftly debunking my previous theory. Additionally, the game sees the introduction of Living Stone Sentries and massive Stone Effigies, silent watchers that loom over ancient alien terrains.
As you traverse these fossilized wonders, you may stumble upon still-living fossils such as Titanic Boneworms and “skeletal fauna” roaming fossil-rich planets and purple star systems. On top of that, you can engage with Fossil Collectors on Space Stations to trade or sell your fossil exhibits—or even swap your bones for a variety of intriguing fossils.
In line with this Jurassic fever, enlist with the Galactic Palaeology Society and embark on the fresh expedition brought by Relics. Completing it lands you a jetpack made of sentient rock, unlocks a skin that turns you into a rock, and grants you a skeletal pet to accompany your adventures.
Ever dreamed of being the cosmic equivalent of Ross? We’d love to hear your thoughts below!
