No Man's Sky is frequently cited as one of the most exciting evolving games out there, and with its near-infinite intergalactic possibilities, it's not difficult to see why it stands out in its genre. While it may have failed to meet the hype with its initial launch, developer Hello Games have since released a constant stream of downloadable content and quality-of-life updates that have done much to revitalise the game's reputation.
In February came the Companions Update, allowing players to tame and adopt creatures throughout the procedurally generated universe. In addition to being infinitely varied, their eggs can now be genetically modified, making the companion journey a truly unique one. Comparing the many pets on offer is very difficult (as they don't really have much gameplay utility), but does offer a glimpse into the limitless possibilities that No Man's Sky offers. If one of these doesn't catch your eye, surely your perfect companion is waiting out there for you on one of the 18 quintillion planets...
Updated on September 5, 2021, by Juliet Childers: With the Frontiers update, No Man's Sky receives yet another feature in settlements. But the procedurally generated content continues to get more and more creative as players discover more galaxies, planets, and creatures. Beyond that, players are breeding and germinating totally unique species, as well, to make amazing or terrifying companions.
Here are some of the best companions in No Man's Sky ranked by their cool factor.
20 A Pig-icorn?
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A horse with a horn on its head (a unicorn) is old hat; now it's all about this pig-like creature with a huge horn poking out of its melon.
With six legs, sharp teeth, and tiger stripes, this porcine critter does differ from the unicorn in that its horn is near its nose and not its forehead. That might be better for battle, but No Man's Sky doesn't have such a thing....yet.
19 This Lil Bug Dude Just Needs A Hug
Hercules beetles exist in our own world and are some of the coolest designs that Mother Nature ever conceived. Their gargantuan horns come in handy, but also fit the adage "look good, play good."
To that end, the beetle-like fauna make fantastic pets for players who desire a little realism in their space exploration game.
18 An Awesome Giant Hybrid Beast
Megafauna is the obvious choice when looking for a buddy to roam around the countless planets with. If nothing else, the huge satisfaction of riding a vast mount and feeling the earth tremble underfoot is priceless.
Strange hybrid types like this one are very common in No Man's Sky, and players will inevitably encounter something like it before long. Nevertheless, they're the old reliable companion choice for No Man's Sky players, even if they might appear a little goofy.
17 Rhino, But Like...Bigger?
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The rhino is a classic and well-loved animal here on Earth, so why not show some love to this enormous creature who could very well be its cousin? Spotted on the Anomaly station, it appears transparent to save everyone's games from getting single-digit FPS numbers.
Still, the behemoth towers over everything in its path and could do some serious damage in a fight. Again, No Man's Sky does not yet have this feature...but what if it did?
16 A Lovecraftian Nightmare
As No Man's Sky procedurally generates creature designs, there will inevitably be many different kinds of Lovecraftian horrors lurking somewhere out there beyond the stars. This crab beast with a ridiculous amount of tentacled limbs is a prime example of this phenomenon.
If you've decided to befriend something like this, you can cruise around with a certain confidence. After all, everyone else with their more conventional hybrid creatures will be shaking in their boots when you show up on this mount. Just remember, though: a Lovecraftian horror is for life. Maybe give this one a second thought, lest you incite the insanity-inducing wrath of an eldritch god. Still, it'll be handy in a fight when equipped with armor, as it'll be nothing if not a huge distracting target.
15 A Little Chubby Pal
To take things in a much more wholesome direction, here's a little bird friend that will warm your heart as if its life depends on it. Are its wings incredibly impractical for its rounded frame? Yes, but that just adds to this chubby creature's cuteness factor.
After all, a creature with small stubby little legs will want to prove itself. A towering monstrosity that you can barely look in the eyes can rest on its laurels, feeling no need to do so. There will be plenty of times when a more subtle approach will reap greater rewards. After all, 99% of players will be rushing to grab the biggest creature they can. Be better than them. The potential of little fuzzballs should not be so casually underestimated.
14 Pink Flying Worm Dudes (Thanks Prism Update)
Being able to ride companions is cool enough, but Hello Games took things a step further. The Prism Update not only greatly enhanced graphics, but it enabled flying pets.
Imagine soaring through the sky on a majestic little worm dude as another ENORMOUS worm soars OVER you. That's what space is really all about -- worms.
13 A Space Pineapple
Yes. Space Pineapples. They're a thing. If you're partial to getting caught in the rain, or perhaps not the greatest fan of yoga, then they are probably the best pick for you.
On a more serious note, Space Pineapples are not just for silly people who understand these references, they're extremely useful when it comes to... no, wait, that's not kidding anyone. Just get a Space Pineapple if you need to, okay? There's no need to justify this choice to anyone else. This quirky creature is the living embodiment of the game's bizarre creature generation capabilities, and that's reason enough.
12 A Spider Crab
That being said, spider crabs are deserving of your love too. It's not an easy sell, but someone will surely appreciate these creatures' inner beauty. How players would summon up the courage to tame one of these is a different matter entirely, but those who do will be formidable foes.
Befriending a spider crab is one possible way to make friends and terrify people. There are plenty more freaky designs out there, but spider-based companions will always be the most reliable choice if you want to scare off everyone else and go on an epic solo adventure.
11 A Glowing Foot (Or Soccer) Ball
Whether you call it Soccer or Football, the beautiful game seems to have made its way into the No Man's Sky universe in some form. Players can find these glowing, somewhat metallic-looking creatures on specific planets and befriend them with Creature Pellets. You can also harvest items from them oddly enough.
Towering next to this Gek player, the creatures aren't exactly tiny and they'll glow differently depending on what kind of planet you find yourself on.
10 A Furry Four-Legged Friend
What's this? Something that's not distorted by the procedurally generated system like it's being viewed through a funhouse mirror? It even looks pretty cute, and alarmingly normal. If you ever encounter a little four-limbed fuzzy friend like this, you should drop any other plans you may have had and immediately shower it in love. Finding something this pure, without exaggerated limbs or a grab-bag of alien appendages, is no easy task.
Don't make the mistake of coming across a perfect, conventional-looking creature early on and assuming there will be plenty more. Having a companion like this one will make you stand out from the army of strange, lumpen creatures. It won't be of much use when it comes to moving around the planet, though, as it can't exactly be ridden. Perhaps it could function as a useful light source instead (one of few practical functions of No Man's Sky's companions).
9 An Elephant Meets A Manta Ray
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With how the procedural creatures are crafted, there's always uniqueness to the fauna, but some are more unique than others. This combo Manta Ray/Elephant has adorable eyes and can also fly. For Travellers looking to get around gleefully, a pet like this might be the one for you.
Just ignore the question about how an animal that size who flies could handle the weight of a person and their spacesuit; it's fine.
8 A Proto Gek Creature
Not every No Man's Sky player knows all of the lore behind the sentient species in the game like the Gek. TL;DR is that they did some no good, very bad things and also there are like three main iterations of them. The First Spawn, Gek we know and play as, and then these...proto-Gek creatures.
They are mostly docile with placid faces and empty heads who appear randomly just like other procedurally generated fauna. Why not take one for your own and humiliate the First Spawn further?
7 The Dwemer From Skyrim Probably Created This
Any Skyrim fan worth their Skooma knows about the Dwemer and their impressive yet terrifying inventions. They are also known for their very specific design aesthetic that's somewhere between Art-Deco and just a bar of pure gold that hides a nightmare (as a surprise).
These insectoid creations can be found on various planets in different color palettes, but they always have those mantis-like appendages. Capturing one for a companion will make you feel pretty badass.
6 A Synthetic Snow Animal
Synthetic creatures are ridiculously underrated in No Man's Sky, but perhaps that's because they're some of the rarest encounters out there. There's something endearing about their designs, something that can make them seem more unique than the usual organic critters.
Creature designs often gain inspiration from real-world animals, while synthetics often seem more 'alien.' While you may be used to something that's, say, a bit furrier, a charming robot pal found on a cruel, snowy planet is surely deserving of some love too. If you want to stand out (or are perhaps a huge fan of Horizon Zero Dawn), a rare synthetic could be the way to go.
5 Like Navi, But Not Annoying
Many pets look like creatures we could conceivably find on Earth in that they have legs, eyes, and other recognizable organic features. Even the robotic creatures are somewhat familiar when it comes to their overall appearances. But then you encounter creatures that seem to just be...balls of light? Curiously, they still eat Creature Pellets and take pets.
These floating orbs wriggle around in the air on some unseen orbit like a flock of less talkative Navis from The Legend of Zelda series. They're very different from many other companions available in No Man's Sky and that's what makes them rank so highly.
4 Something That Radiates Pure Majestic Energy
Some creatures are naturally so majestic that they should only be admired from afar. You should appreciate them from a distance without even a thought crossing your mind about taming them. In principle, that is. After planets upon planets of space bugs and odd-looking genetic abominations, meeting something that's as divinely imposing as this lion-meets-stegosaurus wonder beast would just be awe-inspiring.
Nabbing a companion like this is the No Man's Sky equivalent of a 10-year-old trainer catching a Legendary god-being in Pokemon. While there's nothing wrong with a faithful Pidgey, when the opportunity to catch Articuno comes along, a huge amount of self-control is needed. Anyone would be tempted to substitute it for something that's a whole lot more majestic.
3 A Weaponized Dinosaur Mount
A weaponized dinosaur mount doesn't need much explanation, because that's exactly what it is: a weaponized dinosaur mount. You knew it was coming, as huge dinosaurs are known to exist in No Man's Sky's universe, yet you surely still have a giddy smile on your face at the sight of this formidable friend.
It's such a ridiculous concept that there's really no need for any analytic criteria to justify its inclusion. Space crabs are one thing, but fellow players just won't know whether to be delighted or horrified by the sight of this thing galloping towards them. It'll certainly be helpful when it comes to mining, too, with those lasers.
2 A Robo-Puppy
The robo-puppy. So simple, yet so delightful. It may not be covered in fluff or have huge adorable eyes, but its programming forbids it from ever leaving your side should you choose to tame it. The robo-puppy is simply the best companion a player could ever hope to find.
Just look at it playing catch and take a moment to think: would you feel comfortable doing that with your weaponized dinosaur mount? A beloved conventional dog with an intriguing twist, with the bonus appeal of its relative rarity, it's hard to go wrong with this one. Again, though, riding it may prove impossible, given its size.
1 Diplo Dinos (Any And All Kinds)
So, obviously, having a weaponized dinosaur is pretty neat. But having a totally unique "diplo dino" of your own is just way more special. So special in fact that players made one species...extinct. Out of love?
Regardless, the variation on the enormous creatures is as great as it is on any other procedurally generated creature. They are fantastic for breeding options, as well, as they can get even bigger.