Started a new Custom game... My experience was much more meaningful.

[PeaceMaker]

The Options

I started with most things as the standard normal survival game except I switched off Tutorial, reduced the amount of violent ship in space encounters, and sentinel encounters and to compensate, increased the damage I and the ship takes to max. Oh I also switched Predators to actually attack me sometimes. If I die I lose everything.

Then I began.

Started on a nice but somewhat toxic acidic planet. It was a little strange at first. I was so used to that damned Tutorial holding my hand I felt momentarily lost.
But then my brain kicked in and I remembered what I needed to do. I quickly got what I needed to fix the Scanner and scanned and found my ship.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/15M1npz.jpg[/img]

There were some big slightly odd creatures in front of me and my destination. They were Predators. I was cautious now cos I knew they might attack me and it would probably hurt a lot. But they didn't attack.

Take off!

Got to my ship. Just needed fuel and to fix the engine which was easy to do, no need for all that running around in circles and faffing.
Before I knew it I was in the air.

It was so nice to actually get on with it instead of that many hour Tutorial you have to do every-single-time. So refreshing. neither did I have to do the stupid building tutorial either.
I have no interest in building, I want to EXPLORE. Maybe in a year I might think about making a hut. Maybe.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/XfmtgMi.jpg[/img]

The planet where I started: Aineh.

I don't advise New Users to the game to turn off the Tutorial, you WILL be totally lost!

I stopped at a Station bought some stuff and checked the next planet.

Attacked

On this planet I was checking the new flora out and was attacked by TWO large Predators that completely surprised me. When I turned and saw the first big one I actually shouted in surprise (how embarrassing, but this was in VR so it was towering over me) and tried to run, but it was fast, then another joined it. My Left controller then decided to quit on me.

I couldn't move and got stuck against a stone or something. The creature hit me and I kinda flew away a bit along the ground. I knew I couldn't take another hit like that again.

In desperation I shot the 1st big creature to death, and somehow the other one wasn't there and I lost it. I quickly fixed my controller and ran away to my ship, my health at almost zero!
Whew! Now that's more like it!!
So very nice.

Sum up

A few suggestions:

A few more sliders to adjust the frequency of things like when those giant ships appear above you (still way too often) and to reduce the amount of active bases you encounter on some planets. Perhaps even an option to have some derelict planets with literally nothing. Too many worlds are inhabited by sentient aliens in my view.

Also an option to remove some icons like the ship icon which stays there even right up to the ship!

Anyway, great so far. Just being able to get on with the game is a huge plus.

Thankyou for these options.

[periurban]

Agreed. Slowly, NMS is becoming something truly special. It already was to me, but I think the work that's gone into all the updates, and especially this last one, have made the game a real must play for so many gamers, almost regardless of genre preference.

[PeaceMaker]

Originally posted by periurban:

Agreed. Slowly, NMS is becoming something truly special. It already was to me, but I think the work that's gone into all the updates, and especially this last one, have made the game a real must play for so many gamers, almost regardless of genre preference.

Agreed.

[Faceplant]

I started a new permadeath save when the update came out, and it's been much more like old times. I've actually had to mine on planets, rather than buy on the space station, and I even built a farm like old-times on my freighter to make some cash.

With only 4 plants per room, my farm room is so big, the end is past the render distance!

Just trying to get the nanites to buy all the blueprints for the big ticket items, which is still too easy. Maybe next time I'll refrain from buying blueprints on the anomaly and hunt them down old-style as well.

[PeaceMaker]

Originally posted by Faceplant8:

I started a new permadeath save when the update came out, and it's been much more like old times. I've actually had to mine on planets, rather than buy on the space station, and I even built a farm like old-times on my freighter to make some cash.

With only 4 plants per room, my farm room is so big, the end is past the render distance!

Just trying to get the nanites to buy all the blueprints for the big ticket items, which is still too easy. Maybe next time I'll refrain from buying blueprints on the anomaly and hunt them down old-style as well.

Interesting.

[PeaceMaker]

Well this dropped like a stone. Positive, good news always does. No one likes happy. It's boring.

I'm sure if I complained, it'd stay up forever then someone will say I never have anything positive to say and a mod would then close me down!

[japp_02]

On the starting planet, the experience cannot be like in the settings for the simple reason that the Tutorial (wether switched off or not doesn't matter) implies a setup planet in order to carry out the starting things and the demos to guide the player, also when starting the weather will be related to the tutorial and not the one described for the planet.

All in all, if you want to play like in the settings you must leave the starting planet.

[Geldric™]

Excellent write up and THANKS for taking the time to post.

You're not wrong about the "pissing and moaning" threads where everyone just wants or rather feels obligated to pile on in either support or dispute the topic at hand. I try to not contribute however I'm a stickler for posting factual or at least anecdotal evidence to support ones position. I feel completed to "correct" the misinformation.

Might I ask that for your next write up (yes I encourage you to do it again) that you include some screenshots... I would love to see what those two peckerhead, er oops rather "aggressive" creatures looked like.

Stay safe out there Traveller

[wkitty42]

imagine remembering to take screenshots while a peckerheaggressive creature is attacking you...
i agree, though... perhaps one could/should record/stream their play? then they wouldn't have to try to remember to take screenshots and these moments in time would be preserved...

i've recorded and streamed a few of my game sessions but nothing like i was doing a year or so ago... i really hate the way that NMS pauses when you tab out, too... especially if you are trying to adjust the volume levels in the recording software... tabbing out silences the damned thing... ugh! granted, a 2x PC setup wouldn't have this problem but not everyone can afford to have more than one PC dedicated to gaming and streaming plus the need for a capture card... [/topic]

[PeaceMaker]

Originally posted by wkitty42:

imagine remembering to take screenshots while a peckerheaggressive creature is attacking you...
i agree, though... perhaps one could/should record/stream their play? then they wouldn't have to try to remember to take screenshots and these moments in time would be preserved...

i've recorded and streamed a few of my game sessions but nothing like i was doing a year or so ago... i really hate the way that NMS pauses when you tab out, too... especially if you are trying to adjust the volume levels in the recording software... tabbing out silences the damned thing... ugh! granted, a 2x PC setup wouldn't have this problem but not everyone can afford to have more than one PC dedicated to gaming and streaming plus the need for a capture card... [/topic]

Actually took some screenshots when I started. I wanted to take some screenshots when I was being attacked but that was impossible. lol.

Thanks for the responses, chaps.

[Krash Megiddo]

Originally posted by PeaceMaker:

Well this dropped like a stone. Positive, good news always does. No one likes happy. It's boring.

I'm sure if I complained, it'd stay up forever then someone will say I never have anything positive to say and a mod would then close me down!

I'm glad you're enjoying the new update! Seriously, trolls are trolls for a reason. Inflammatory posts get all the attention while "well done, devs" posts like this one get little attention. No shame in bumping it once in awhile either.

[Johnny in the Clouds]

Originally posted by PeaceMaker:

... I wanted to take some screenshots when I was being attacked but that was impossible...

Put Photo Mode on a Hot Key if you have a keyboard handy. I use Zero (looks like a lens for easy recall)
I prefer to play NMS with a controller and have the Zero hotkey set as a 'legacy key' selection, assigned to a controller button using Steam Remapping, through the game options screen. You can make the button press short or long if you have a conroller with too few buttons. So buttons can have dual functions. I use a hotkey button for camera view changes too, set to number two key. Leave all game keys at default before customising the controller or setting hotkeys. It makes things easier if you ever neer to remember or repeat custom changes.

You may have to initially configure Steam remapping under the manage game settings. To recognise any controller you prefer. Also remapping has many official and player uiploaded controller layouts that already work with the game. Some also have keys already assigned set for photo mode, provide you hotkey the correct number.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1891848604
With a hotkey on the controller for photo mode it is easy to take actions photos on foot, in an exocar (like junping) or in a fire fight in your space ships. Snapping lightning or meteor strikes is also fun with a controller or being bitten by predators :D Sitting back and enjoying the game away from a keyboard, except to enter renaming of things is fun.

[PeaceMaker]

Originally posted by Johnny in the Clouds:

Originally posted by PeaceMaker:

... I wanted to take some screenshots when I was being attacked but that was impossible...

Put Photo Mode on a Hot Key if you have a keyboard handy. I use Zero (looks like a lens for easy recall)
I prefer to play NMS with a controller and have the Zero hotkey set as a 'legacy key' selection, assigned to a controller button using Steam Remapping, through the game options screen. You can make the button press short or long if you have a conroller with too few buttons. So buttons can have dual functions. I use a hotkey button for camera view changes too, set to number two key. Leave all game keys at default before customising the controller or setting hotkeys. It makes things easier if you ever neer to remember or repeat custom changes.

You may have to initially configure Steam remapping under the manage game settings. To recognise any controller you prefer. Also remapping has many official and player uiploaded controller layouts that already work with the game. Some also have keys already assigned set for photo mode, provide you hotkey the correct number.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1891848604
With a hotkey on the controller for photo mode it is easy to take actions photos on foot, in an exocar (like junping) or in a fire fight in your space ships. Snapping lightning or meteor strikes is also fun with a controller or being bitten by predators :D Sitting back and enjoying the game away from a keyboard, except to enter renaming of things is fun.

Thanks, but I'm not quite sure that can work while in VR though. VR controls are kinda limited.
How do you get pics to show up, btw?

[wkitty42]

Originally posted by PeaceMaker:

How do you get pics to show up, btw?

in here? you take the snapshot, then visit your local steam app's Content tab for your account... in there select the "Upload Screenshots" button... then select the screenshots to send, make them public, and upload them... once they are uploaded, you find the shot you want to share, click on it on time, and look in the top left of its frame... copy that link and paste it in a post in these steam forums and there ya go...

[Guyver8]

thnx for sharing your little big adventure PeaceMaker

this really is a silly game...with simple mechanics and a quirky style that i can't explain to either of my sons why i love it so much, but from your story you get it.
i only had one reservation with this update...the scrolling...and now that's gone (experimental branch).
the new survival 'hardcore' game i started has been a blast...and i haven't even installed any of my many regular mods (btw most are now obsolete)...i'm many hours in and i haven't left the 1st planet yet Lol...enjoying testing myself too much

so great work HG, thank you all...looking forward to wot comes next
safe journeys to all

[PeaceMaker]

Originally posted by wkitty42:

Originally posted by PeaceMaker:

How do you get pics to show up, btw?

in here? you take the snapshot, then visit your local steam app's Content tab for your account... in there select the "Upload Screenshots" button... then select the screenshots to send, make them public, and upload them... once they are uploaded, you find the shot you want to share, click on it on time, and look in the top left of its frame... copy that link and paste it in a post in these steam forums and there ya go...

Thankyou.