Hello Games went all out when creating No Man’s Sky’s expansive universe. Not only is it filled with over 18 Quintillion planets (we promise we did not make that number up), but there are actually several unique alien races and other entities that you will meet throughout your long journey to the center of it all.
What’s best about the different races is that they’re more than just aesthetic. Each race in No Man’s Sky has its own language, set of beliefs, and attitudes towards you and your actions as you play. It’s important to get to know each and every one of them so you know what kind of choices you should make going forward and what you can expect from your interactions.
How to Interact With Aliens
Before you can start learning about each Alien Race, you actually have to meet them. There are several locations scattered throughout the universe where you can come across intelligent lifeforms:
- In shelters found on planets: These are denoted as a satellite station, factory, shelter, or any other type of facility. There is almost always an alien at these locations though. During your first interaction with that alien, you’ll be given a choice that can affect your standing with their race as well as earn you a reward. Do note that the interaction is a one-shot deal. You fail and it’s done.
- In Space Stations: When checking the trade terminal, you’ll usually find at least one alien in the room with you. Also, aliens will sometimes visit the station as well, and interacting with their ship will allow you to trade with them.
- Out in space: If you see a convoy being attacked, you can help them to get in their good graces.
- Through relics: Monoliths, Plaques, and other relics allow you to learn about the different races as well as change your reputation with them. It’s also a way to learn languages and increase your knowledge of the universe
Korvax
The Korvax are a highly intelligent race of aliens who seem to have a mostly mechanical makeup. They appear to be robots only they are much more “human” than most of the other machines you’ll come across during your adventures. You can tell how they’re feeling based on the lights on their faces. They light up green when pleased and move towards red when things aren’t to their liking. Science and knowledge are very important to them, as well as tradition.
Korvax can be encountered in most systems, and chances are their language will be one of the first you really get a hang of. Their Monolith interactions seem to always consist of some sort of right of passage. The Korvax hold their history and traditions high, and don’t think fondly of those who can’t think as they do.
Keeping the Korvax happy isn’t too difficult though. Pass their rites of passage (given through the above mentioned monoliths), help them when you encounter them out in the wild, find their lost brethren, and don’t be mean to them. If you keep all of these things in mind, you’ll be set.
Gek
The Gek are a lizard-like race who are able to live underwater, though you can still encounter them on land and out in space. They love building and crafting things and will usually require some resources from you. They’re fairly easy going, and seem to be the most lively in the bunch thus far. They love rewarding you when you don’t necessarily pick the best option (although the best option usually rewards a blueprint of some sort).
Most interactions with the Gek will have to do with technology of some sort and, like all the alien races it seems, knowledge. They like those who use their brain, and will be pleased when you solve puzzles. Injuring anyone of their race will upset them, but they’re probably the easiest to keep happy.
Vy’keen
The Vy’Keen race (sounds an awful lot like viking, doesn’t it?) is a race of space warriors. They are very serious and forward. Most interactions with them are a series of violent grunts and them violating your personal space. Don’t let their brutish mannerisms frighten you, though. This lot tends to be encountered in space stations where they can be found working on weapons or running experiments.
While they are indeed skilled warriors, they are actually looking to help you when they’re holding questionable syringes to your forehead and snatching your weapon away from you. When dealing with the Vy’keens, just let them do their thing. You will sometimes receive damage, but that can be healed and the rewards they give you are definitely worth a bit of pain. You can get weapons, new technology, resources, words, and more from them.
They dislike cowardice and those who refuse their help. Hesitation is not something they enjoy either. You need to be decisive and ready to get stronger. If you happen to find creature research while exploring No Man’s Sky, that will also boost your reputation with this lot.
Atlas
Atlas is not exactly an alien race, but it is alien, at least to you. We’re not entirely sure what Atlas is, but it seems to be omniscient and at times it appears that certain races worship this unknown “mind” of sorts. Atlas calls out to you early in the game, and has a bit of an adventure for you of its own. The weird thing is that this entity appears to be able to speak directly to your mind, or possibly even your soul. It calls out to your desires to explore and discover the universe and helps to provide you with the means to do so.
Whether it’s some sort of god within No Man’s Sky’s universe is up to you and your perspective to decide. But it is definitely one of the most important “alien” components of the game you’ll have the pleasure of dealing with.
Need more help with No Man’s Sky? Check out our robust wiki full of guides and tips!
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