Welcome to the No Man’s Sky To Live Forever 2023 walkthrough outlining how to quickly get to the center of the galaxy in Permadeath Mode needed for the Take a Deep Breath and To Live Forever achievements and trophies. This guide was written with the 4.2 patch as of July 2023. Following the walkthrough should get you to the Galactic Core in 3-5 hours.
At a high level, the goal is to reach the Center of the Galaxy while playing in Permadeath Mode. Some settings in Permadeath Mode can be lowered, but you need to keep Permadeath (Save Deleted) active. Skip all side content and missions and stick with the main story until you unlock the Anomaly. Locate and find a translucent alien and give it 100 Nanites to receive coordinates to its grave and find a glyph. Use the glyph at a portal to warp close to the center of the galaxy. Then, warp the rest of the way in your ship.
Refer to the No Man’s Sky Achievements Guide for details on the other achievements and trophies in the game.
Useful Links
- Game Setup
- Permadeath Tips
- Getting to Space
- Base Building
- Space Stations
- The Translucent Traveler
- Acquiring a Hyperdrive
- Tracking the Stranger
- The Anomaly
- Final Preparation
- Opening the Portal
- Reaching the Center of the Galaxy
Game Setup
Start a new Custom game with the following difficulty settings.
- Difficulty Preset: Permadeath
- Survival Settings: Set all to lowest available levels except Death Consequences.
- Death Consequences: Save Deleted (changing this will void the achievement/trophy)
- Crafting and Items Settings: Set all to lowest available levels.
- Combat Settings: Set all to lowest available levels.
- Ease of Use: Set all to lowest available levels.
Permadeath Tips
- Save often. Exiting your ship will trigger a save, so jump in/out of the ship often to save progress.
- Keep at least 100 Nanites on you at all times until after you’ve talked with the translucent traveler.
- Maintain a stash of core minerals: Carbon, Oxygen, Sodium, Ferrite Dust, and Tritium.
- Avoid attacking any creatures or ships. Don’t press A/X through dialog too fast or you may accidently fire at the end of a transmission.
- Don’t provoke sentinels. Avoid them and don’t mine anywhere near them.
- Skip all side content and missions. If you run across broken machinery and boxes, go ahead and collect their contents.
- Try to land and take off from outposts and trading posts to reduce fuel consumed.
- Don’t forget to upload discoveries for extra Nanites.
- Space Stations
- Check all rooms of every space station for the translucent traveler and give it 100 Nanites (2nd conversation).
- Always upgrade inventory slots and check for Encrypted Navigation Data.
Crafting & Upgrades
- Only craft items and purchase blueprints/modules that are necessary to reach the Galactic Core.
- Analysis Visor
- Portable Refiner
- Terrain Manipulator
- Base Computer
- Basic Base
- Construction Research Unit
- Base Teleport Module
- Biofuel Reactor
- Haz-Mat Gauntlet
- Efficient Thrusters
- Launch Auto-Charger
Getting to Space
Repair the Suit
Once the game starts, focus on the story and work as quickly as you can to reach your ship. Follow the onscreen prompts to test the scanner, gather Ferrite Dust, and fix the scanner. Next, use the scanner to find and collect Sodium (Na). Then, head directly to the navigation marker for the ship. After reaching the ship, use it to save frequently by jumping in and out of the ship.
Build the Analysis Visor
At this point, you will want to build an Analysis Visor (Carbon Nanotubes x1 = Carbon x50) to help locate resources. Feel free to start scanning the local creatures to earn start earning credits. If you run across caves, look for stalactites and mine them to gather Cobalt which can be sold when you reach the space station. The occasional broken machinery may contain Starship Launch Fuel or similar components.
Fixing the Ship
Then, continue following the main mission prompts to fix the ship. Use Metal Plating (Ferrite Dust x50) and follow the prompts to locate a Hermetic Seal to fix the Pulse Engines. Craft Di-Hydrogen Jelly (Di-Hydrogen x50) and refine Pure Ferrite x50 (Ferrite Dust x50) using a Portable Refiner (Metal Plating x1 + Oxygen x30) to repair the Launch Thrusters. When finished, make sure you collect the Portable Refiner before taking off.
Optional: Farm Minerals
Just after launching, you can fly low to the ground and slow while firing your Photon Cannons with A/X. Doing so will farm a few of the core resources (Ferrite Dust, Carbon, and Oxygen). When you reach space, you can also farm the small asteroids for Tritium (needed for fuel) and Gold/Silver to sell for units.
Base Building
Follow the navigation marker to the signal source. When you approach the navigation point, look for a small broken technology with smoke flowing out from it and land nearby.
Terrain Manipulator
Pickup the designs for the Base Computer (Chromatic Metal x30) and Terrain Manipulator (Carbon Nanotubes x2 + Di-Hydrogen Jelly x1) from the broken technology and craft it. Next, search for nearby Technology Modules, dig down to them, and collect Salvaged Data. Then, search for a Copper Deposit and use the Terrain Manipulator on the lowest setting (press RB/R1 to reduce the size and increase the output). After collecting all the copper, place your refiner and produce Chromatic Metal x30 (Copper x60). Feel free to refine all the copper, since you will be using chromatic metal frequently.
Basic Base
Now that you have the materials, craft and place the Base Computer (Chromatic Metal x30). Then, build the basic shelter with the doorway next to the base computer, which will give you access to it during a storm. Interact again with the base computer to unlock the Construction Research Unit design. You can also move the portable refiner inside the base building.
Construction Research Unit
Next, produce a stack of Magnetized Ferrite x20 (Pure Ferrite x40 = refined Ferrite Dust x40) and use it to craft the Construction Research Unit (Magnetized Ferrite x20 + Carbon Nanotubes x1). Now you will need to collect more technology modules until you have a total of 3 Salvaged Data. Spend the salvaged data unlocking the Base Teleport Module, Biofuel Reactor, and Electrical Wiring.
Teleporter
Once you have the 3 blueprints unlocked, build a Base Teleport Module (Metal Plating x4 + Carbon Nanotubes x2 + Sodium x40), place a Biofuel Reactor (Metal Plating x1 + Oxygen x25) next to it, and connect them together with Electrical Wiring. Then, place carbon or other fuel into the reactor. Finally, grab the portable refiner and head back to your ship.
Space Stations
Now that you have access to space stations, keep in mind a number of tasks that should always be done on each station.
- Check every room for the translucent traveler. You will need 100 Nanites.
- Add a new inventory slot.
- Purchase any Hyperdrive Modules (preferably the higher grade).
- Interact with all Encrypted Navigation Data charts.
- Sell junk or unwanted resources.
- Buy any needed components.
- You will eventually need 1-2x Commercial Cartography Data and 1-7x Alien Cartography Data charts.
Continue the Story
If you have the credits, purchase 5x Microprocessors to avoid another trip to the space station.
After going through the list above, go ahead and talk to a few aliens and ask them about 16 until the story progresses. Then, use the teleporter to return to your base. When you arrive at the base, interact with the base computer.
Don’t launch from your base. Instead, take the teleporter back to the space station and launch from their to conserve launch fuel.
The Translucent Traveler
Check every room of each space station until you find a translucent traveler. If you’re lucky, one may show up in the first station.
Once you find one, talk to them twice. The response in the first conversation doesn’t matter. In the second discussion, select “Ask where they came from (100 Nanites)“. They will mark the location of their grave on your map with a diamond-shaped icon.
The navigation point will take you directly to the alien’s grave. Interact with it to speak with the alien and receive the Glyph. Now, wait until you have progressed the story further and check the Final Preparation when ready.
Acquiring a Hyperdrive
Possible Distress Signal
Follow the navigation marker to the Possible Distress Signal and land in the landing zone (green rings) at the crashed capital ship. After landing, interact with the MS Wings of the Anomaly to receive the Hyperdrive (Chromatic Metal x125 + Microprocessor x5) blueprint. Optionally, you can search the crash site and open Cargo Pods for units and nanites.
Antimatter Trace
If you didn’t purchase microprocessors before, travel to the space station and buy 5 of them. Then, install and craft the Hyperdrive. Return to your ship and follow the guidance toward the Antimatter Trace. Land next to a large building and go inside to acquire the Antimatter design. Avoid getting near or interacting with the eggs that surround the building. They are not worth the risk.
Craft both Antimatter (Chromatic Metal x25 + Condensed Carbon x20) and Antimatter Housing (Oxygen x30 + Ferrite Dust x50) and combine them into Warp Cell. You will be creating many (8-10) warp cells near the end of this playthrough, so be on the lookout for the needed ingredients and build them as you play. With the fuel available, warp to the next system.
Fuel Source
When you reach the next system, follow the main story to the next Fuel Source. Look for a monolith in the area near the navigation marker and land near it. Interact with the monolith and answer the questions to receive another Warp Cell. Then, take off and warp to the next solar system.
Tracking the Stranger
Stranger’s Coordinates
Follow the Stranger’s Coordinates, looking for a crashed ship with smoke billowing up and land next to it. After landing, transfer any unneeded gear from your Exosuit to your ship to make room in your inventory. Interact with the Signal Beacon to extract another set of blueprints (Advanced Mining Laser) which is optional to build.
Claiming the Ship
Now, interact with the abandoned ship, compare ships, and claim it. Fix only the Launch Thrusters and Pulse Engine and fly it to the space station to sell the wreckage for units. Which ship you find is randomized, so you can make a few hundred thousand to a couple million units.
The Anomaly
After interacting with the abandoned ship and the Signal Beacon, head back into space. Shortly after reaching space, you will receive a communication from Nada and The Anomaly will appear. Land on the anomaly and stick with the mission path: talk with Nada, Polo, Helios, and Ares. Helios will let you turn in planet data for nanites and Ares will reward nanites for milestone progression.
Next, run over to the merchant area and upgrade you inventory space in the back left. View the offerings by the Exosuit Research vendor and Construction Research Station machine.
Purchase Blueprints
While you’re here, purchase the Efficient Thrusters (120 Nanites, Di-hydrogen Jelly x1 + Tritium x100 + Wiring Loom x2) and Launch Auto-Charger (460 Nanites, Antimatter x5 + Solar Mirror x2 + Wiring Loom x2) from the Starship Research vendor. These will reduce the cost of taking off each time you land, which may be many. Also, buy the Haz-Mat Gauntlet (80 Nanites) from the Exosuit Research vendor.
After making any purchases, head back to Nada and choose any of the 3 options, like “Ask for help with Artemis“. Return to your ship and answer the communication from an Unknown Signal.
Final Preparation
Once you have purchased anything you need from the anomaly, you can now get ready for the end-game. Below is a list of materials and items you will need before initiating the final sequence of warps.
Cartographic Data
Purchase 1-2 Commercial Cartographic Data charts from the Cartographer on the space station. These will be used to find a local trading post. Also, purchase 4-7 Alien Cartographic Data charts to help find a monolith.
Alien Relic
Activate the Commercial Cartographic Data charts and follow them to their destinations until you find a Trading Post. Land at the trading post and interact with each of the pilots that land. You will need to purchase a specific item that corresponds with the dominant alien species in the system.
- Gek: Gek Relic
- Korvax: Korvax Casing
- Vy’keen: Vy’keen Dagger
Hyperdrive Modules
Purchase and install high quality Hyperdrive Modules to increase the efficiency of your Hyperdrive. Pay attention to and try to maximize the Hyperdrive Range stat on the right side of the Starship menu.
Warp Cells
Build 6-9 Warp Cells by crafting Antimatter (Chromatic Metal x25 + Condensed Carbon x20 each) and Antimatter Housing (Oxygen x30 + Ferrite Dust x50 each) and combine them.
Portal Materials
You will need stacks of elements to unlock the 16 glyphs at the local portal. Each glyph requires materials from 1 of 4 buckets and each bucket is used 4 times. Many elements may be mined or purchased on space stations or from trading posts.
- Organic Elements: 16 Carbon, 6 Condensed Carbon, or 8 Oxygen for each of 4 glyphs (1, 5, 9, 13).
- Catalyst Elements: 8 Sodium or 4 Sodium Nitrate for each of 4 glyphs (2, 6, 10, 14).
- Earth Elements: 16 Di-hydrogen, 16 Deuterium, 16 Cobalt, 4 Ionized Cobalt, or 40 Salt for each of 4 glyphs (3, 7, 11, 15).
- Stellar Elements: 16 Copper, 7 Cadmium, 5 Emeril, 4 Indium or 8 Activated Copper for each of 4 glyphs (4, 8, 12, 16).
It’s recommended that you bring the following easy to find elements:
- 64x Carbon
- 32x Sodium
- 64x Cobalt or Di-hydrogen
- 64x Copper
Opening the Portal
Monolith
Once you have fully prepared, fly into space and start activating the Alien Cartographic Data charts. Each will reveal the location of an alien structure, but they are randomly chosen from a group of various types. Keep activating charts and visiting sites until you find a Monolith.
Visit the monolith and activate it. Each monolith will ask a different question. There are a few websites that list all possible questions if you need help. Once the question has been successfully answered, interact with the monolith a second time. This time it will ask for an alien relic that matches the dominant species in the system (Gek Relic, Korvax Casing, or Vy-keen Dagger). If you followed the preparation guide you will have the appropriate relic to hand over. The monolith will then mark the location of the portal on the map.
Portal
Next, follow the navigation marker to the nearby portal and land next to it. Then, approach and interact with the Memories of Hizona-Ahic pedestal. Place one of the elements in each of the 16 glyphs (see Portal Materials for a full list).
Once all glyphs are charged, you will be prompted to enter a Glyph Sequence. Since you only have 1 glyph, enter it for all positions in the sequence. You will see an Atlas Transport Error show up on screen, but the portal will activate. Finally, you can walk up to and through the portal, ending up significantly closer to the center of the galaxy.
Reaching the Center of the Galaxy
Warping
Now that you’re on the other end of the portal, take off in your ship and make sure your Hyperdrive is full. Then warp along the Galactic Core path (press D-Pad Left/Right to select the destination) as far as you can (likely 3-4 jumps at a time). The game will let you know if you’re trying to warp too far for your Hyperdrive with a warning in red. Continue warping each time you reach your destination. When you are close to the center of the galaxy, you will not be able to jump through as many systems and will be limited to jumping to the system before the center.
When you initiate the next warp, it will take longer to show the next path and it will reveal the Center of the Galaxy. In order to complete the warp, fill up your Hyperdrive and try again. Once the warp sequence begins, both the Take a Deep Breath and To Live Forever achievements or trophies will unlock.
Congratulations on surviving Permadeath Mode.
That’s it for the No Man’s Sky To Live Forever walkthrough. Please post any questions or comments below. Thanks.
In the Atlantid update, the center of the universe is gated with a purple star. This excellent method no longer works.
Got it to work by changing two things, and I don’t know which one did it. First, I used The Wraith that came from the Titan Expedition. Second, when I ran into a purple star, instead of trying to go “freehand” around it, I stopped in at the space station and when I opened the galaxy map, there was no longer a purple system blocking progress to the center. This happened four times, and the achievement is complete.