No Man's Sky - How to reach the centre of the galaxy

The centre of the galaxy is quite literally your central goal in No Man's Sky: your raison d'être, the affirmative solution to your crushing existential woes, and for some an absolute crushing disappointment.

If you somehow hadn't already heard, then avert your gaze for now, because here's where we'll be explaining not only how to get the centre of the galaxy but also what exactly happens when you finally make it there. So, of course, there are full spoilers ahead. If you can really call them that.

Please note that our No Man's Sky guides are in the process of being updated after the launch of No Man's Sky BEYOND - for now, this page may still have plenty of useful info, but bear in mind it's due a refresh! If you're looking for more on that big update though, our guide to what's new in the No Man's Sky BEYOND update and its release time on Xbox One, PC, PS4, our big list of No Man's Sky patch notes, or our guide to the new No Man's Sky multiplayer and Nexus hub are the best places to start!

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The fastest way to the centre of the galaxy in No Man's Sky

Getting to the centre is, fortunately, relatively simple business in No Man's Sky - the game gives you an irremovable waypoint marking the fastest route, after all - but here's a quick breakdown of what exactly you'll need to do to dodge the early-game obstacles and make it there as quickly as possible.

1. Get off your first planet - It sounds simple, but can be a real time-sapper if you get unlucky with the starter-planet lottery. We've assembled some nice and simple tips for explaining just how to fix your ship and leave the first planet as quickly as possible, in case you need to speed things up.
2. Craft a Hyperdrive and some Warp Cells - Next up is the Hyperdrive, along with it's relevant fuel. Unlike earlier versions of the game, in the NEXT update your Hyperdrive is earned pretty easily through following the directions of the main story. What's a little harder though is figuring out how to find crucial ingredients such as Antimatter and Chromatic Metal, to help you do exactly that.
3. Expand your inventories - if you're heading straight to the centre, you'll already be doing most of the work towards getting yourself a much larger inventory anyway, and you'll need that additional space to hold onto all those Warp Cells for fuel (because you'll need plenty). We've also highlighted the fastest ways to earn money and the quickest way to get Atlas Passes, too, which you'll need to both buy Warp Cell ingredients and purchase extra inventory slots or new ships in which to store them.
4. Follow the waypoint! - It's really as simple as that. Head to your galactic map when you're aboard your starship and already in space, and a marker will highlight the route to the galactic core in orange for you. Now that you're all stocked up, booking it to the heart of the galaxy is all that's left to it - unless you fancy a detour along the Atlas Path, first.

Cycle back to our main hub for what's new in what's new in No Man's Sky Beyond and more basic info on the big update, otherwise take a look at our deep dive on No Man's Sky multiplayer explained for more on teaming up, our guide to base building, an introduction into electrical wiring and powering your base, to how to expand your Exosuit, Ship and Multi-tool inventory space, and Freighters and Frigates explained. Plus other handy stuff like how to repair your ship and get the Hermetic Seal, Pure Ferrite, Metal Plating and Di-Hydrogen Jelly, locations of theAtlas Pass v1, v2 and v3, a guide to No Man's Sky money and how to earn Units fast, plushow to get Antimatter and the Antimatter recipe, and even how to save the game in No Man's Sky, too. Finally, we have pages on how to reach the centre of the galaxy, how to get Chromatic Metal, and a Journey Milestones list, too.

What is at the centre of the galaxy in No Man's Sky?

The centre of the galaxy is, for many, something of a disappointment - although there is a genuine argument that it carries some philosophical weight. A final spoiler warning here, before we continue, just in case.

Reaching the galactic core will send you to an entirely new galaxy. Your inventory'scontents will remain, as will your Units, but your ship, multi-tool, and Exosuit's upgrades will be broken and all need repairing, as your ship did at the very start of the game.

It is, in essence, a completion of the hints at a story which are released to you through the various stages of your journey. The "Initialise" message suddenly means a little more as you re-boot, as it really does seem as though the entire galaxy you spawn in is a simulation devised by the ever-present Atlas.

It reduces much - if not all - of your efforts up until now to meaninglessness. Perhaps that's the whole point.