No Man’s Sky is now available on Nintendo Switch, but fans of all versions of the game have reason to celebrate thanks to the Waypoint update. Prior to the release of version 4.0, developer Hello Games revealed some of the new options fans could expect to see, but now a full list of patch notes is available. The update adds a new Relaxed mode, allows players a lot more freedom to tailor the difficulty, and adds several changes to inventory management, to name just a few improvements. Full patch notes from the game’s official website can be found below:
- The ability to disable life support and / or hazard protection management.
- The ability to customise the speed at which life support and hazard protection are depleted.
- The amount of material yielded when mining and harvested.
- If sprinting is limited by life support drain and/or stamina.
- How fast the scanner recharges.
- How much damage players take from combat or the environment.
- If technology takes damage when taking damage from combat or the environment.
- What consequences there are for death, from none to permadeath.
- How much fuel various pieces of technology use, including in Relaxed mode the ability to have free use of ammo, the mining laser and the terrain editor while still retaining general fueling mechanics.
- If crafting items is free.
- If the game is started with most recipes and blueprints already known, or if they must be earned.
- How much items and upgrades cost to buy or learn.
- The range of items available in shops.
- How large item stack sizes can be within the inventory.
- How much health hostile ships / Sentinels / creatures have.
- How frequently, if at all, ground combat takes place.
- How frequently, if at all, space combat takes place.
- How hostile various planetary creatures are in their behaviour.
- If the tutorial missions take place or not.
- If other inventories (such as the ship and freighter) are always in range or not.
- If specialised warp drive upgrades are required to enter specific systems.
- If bases and base equipment require power.
- How fast standing is gained with various factions.
- If the game starts with all squadron or companion slots pre-unlocked.