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From your first moments in No Man's Sky, the game world is yours to explore. If you want to make any progress in an open-world sandbox the size of a universe, though, you'll need to become an efficient adventurer.
To master exploration in No Man's Sky, you have to learn its language. Not the literal languages of the various alien races (though that's part of it). No Man's Sky also has its own, sometimes obtuse terminology, and learning the difference between a Shelter and an Outpost is they key to efficiency.
If you're looking for an in-depth explanation of the differences between a Monolith and a Plaque, we've got you covered in our guide to Signal Scanners and locations, so be sure to check that out.
Then again, maybe you just want to know where to unload your inventory at the nearest Galactic Trade Terminal, but you can't remember whether you should head for an Outpost or a Transmission Tower. If you're just looking for a quick way to find the answer, then this section of our No Man's Sky guide has what you need. In the searchable, sortable table below, you'll find the raw information to get you where you need to go.
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No Man's Sky is a largely solitary experience, but that doesn't mean you have to travel the universe alone. This is but one small section of Polygon's No Man's Sky guide.
Be sure to check out the rest, where you can learn all about your ship, your Multi-Tool and Companion Units and even get answers to some of the biggest questions about No Man's Sky. We also have a guide to No Man's Sky's resources that'll teach you the difference between Oxides and Silicates and No Man's Sky's various elements.
If you're just looking for a quick reference guide to locations, like where you can save and trade — we've got you covered — too.