Recent reviews by GLiTCH

After all this time, the game's coop/server, both setup and gameplay is janky af. Not recommended.

It's FREE. Give it a try.
Looks good, despite being a 9 year old game. (JP since 2012, Global version is recent)
Gameplay is good.
Combat system is good. Doesn't feel old at all.
Interface may look old but functionality certainly isn't old. (How many other MMOs let you use ctrl or shift to select multiple items?)
You can change classes and never get bored.
Endgame is Fashion.
The game itself is very rewarding every step of the way.
If you're a grinder, there's plenty of endgame activities or 'upgrades' to keep yourself busy with.
Healthy payment model that's not a micro-transaction-fest.
Upgrade system is not behind a pay-wall.
Has Japanese voice/text if you prefer subs over dubs
Fashion is a separate system and functional armor can be hidden.

The only CONS are:
Large game size (but worth the content it has)
PVP system needs an overhaul (it needs to be more rewarding like the rest of the game, so that more people play it)
Majority of the players make female characters. Fashion pricing can get volatile often because of this.
Everyone can freely use custom artworks in the game so please beware the NSFW.

As for GAMEGUARD:
The gameguard is an anti-cheat system that ensures no one abuses/hacks the game and makes it an unpleasant experience for themselves and others. It does so by locking the system down from hacky or other high privilege apps.
People who are talking about gameguard being the problem are probably way too knitpicky and if they don't have an administrator account then they are probably kids who shouldn't be allowed to play this game anyway (Read CONS).
As someone who has been playing games that used GameGuard for over 14 years now, let me just say that it barely causes any problem at all. IF it does, then there's something equally questionable on your computer that wants high level privileges or is refusing to share control. But these problems were on older games. The PSO2 gameguard seems to be better and I haven't seen conflict as of yet (even while running heavy privilege apps like remote controls and virtual machines).

What this game has:
- Planets, Systems, Galaxies (yes plural)
- Adventure, Exploration, Foraging, Mining
- Surface combat, Space combat, Points of Interest
- Story-line, Quests, Rep system
- Base building, Agriculture, Interstellar Trading
- Multiple currencies, progressively unlocking tech trees
- In-game multiplayer lobby and missions (available even in single player)
and more

I would rate it as such, in descending order:

Gameplay - 9.5 / 10
Adventure - 9 / 10
Building - 8.5 / 10 (would have given it more points but the mechanics need polishing)
Combat - 7 / 10 (8 for ease, 6 for immersiveness)
Graphics and Animation - 7 / 10 (But that's impressive for a procedurally generated game)
Production - 6 / 10 (Agriculture and Automation)

NMS is probably one of the best space adventure sandboxes. BUT, it needs polish. A lot of it.
Regardless, I enjoy the game. Very much.

How I rated the game is entirely based on how I've enjoyed the game. I may update it based on how my experience evolves.

- Great sim game.
- One of the best space survival sim games, if not THE best.
- Worth every buck spent.
- Would be nicer with more content.

10/10 Wish someone would rewind time so I can forget and play this again.

Great game content. Great places to go to. Great survival options. Very generous loots.

Needs more game-content and game mechanics. Keep up the good work! Very anxious to see what's next.

Space-Tech sandbox with massive planets*.
*Massive with respect to gaming. Not real-world size. But still, big enough.

Pros:

Great Graphics.
Supports Complex Structures.
Supports Complex User Scripts C#
Excellent Mod API.
Creativity
Multiplayer

Cons:

No farming, or concept of food
No pets/taming. No liquids.
No vanilla blocks as living chamber placeholders (furniture)
Needs more passive/active mobs, enemies

Additional points:
Heavy on graphics, but totally worth it.