Another important aspect is exploration. As you travel from planet to planet, you'll come across various items, technologies, and information that are crucial for the main story progression. For example, some ancient artifacts can only be found by thoroughly exploring a planet's surface, caves, and ruins. Also, building relationships with the in - game races can open up new storylines and tasks that contribute to the main story's progress.
In No Man's Sky, upgrading your equipment is also vital for progressing the main story. You need better ships, weapons, and tools to access new areas and complete more difficult tasks. You can earn resources to upgrade by mining, trading, or completing side missions. For instance, a more powerful ship might be required to travel to a different star system where an important part of the main story is taking place. So, always keep an eye on your equipment and upgrade it whenever possible.