Everspace 2, developed by Rockfish Games, takes the captivating experience of space-faring games to new heights. This single-player space arcade shooter with RPG elements evolves from its predecessor, Everspace, by removing the roguelike element and adding an epic story with open-world RPG exploration. Drawing comparisons to 2003’s Freelancer, Everspace 2 surpasses it with several improvements that elevate the gaming experience.
The game features a meticulously crafted space environment, teeming with floating rocks, wreckage, and breathtaking visuals. Running smoothly in 4K resolution, the absence of ray-tracing is barely noticeable due to the impressive screen-space global illumination. With six systems to explore and over 90 hours of playtime for completionists, Everspace 2 offers a wealth of content to satisfy fans of the genre. It’s truly a shame that Everspace 2 lacks a co-op feature for the story, as the vast and cold expanse of the universe can sometimes feel lonely. Having the option to share the adventure with a squad would have undoubtedly enriched the overall experience for players who crave a more social aspect to their gaming journey while also adding to its replayability.
Everspace 2 retains the graphics, aiming, and maneuverability from its predecessor while adding a rich story, an overhauled progression system, and RPG elements. The game supports mouse and keyboard, gamepad, and joystick/HOTAS controls. We used the Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One with rudder pedals and are happy to report it was a painless process to get everything set up, even for space rookies like us. The removal of roguelike elements transforms Everspace 2 into a space-based looter shooter with an engaging narrative, enjoyable combat, and rewarding exploration.
Ship handling in Everspace 2 is decidedly arcade-like, with 3D movement and precise controls. The game’s narrative picks up where Everspace left off, offering challenging puzzles, hidden areas, and opportunities to explore derelict capital ships in space and on planetary surfaces for the first time. This adds depth to the story and variety to the gameplay, providing players with additional resources and comms chatter.
Loot is abundant, and players are rewarded with resources, weapons, and upgrades as they explore the vast universe. New ships can be purchased from ship dealers and upgraded with various weapons and modules. The crafting system is seamlessly integrated into the player’s progression, providing a more engaging experience. Earning reputation with various factions yields tiered rewards, giving players another goal to work towards.
Everspace 2 captures the essence of classic space-faring games like Freelancer and Wing Commander: Privateer, evoking nostalgia while offering a modern take on the genre. This familiarity combined with innovative gameplay mechanics makes Everspace 2 appealing to both longtime fans and newcomers to the genre. The game’s pacing allows players to focus on progressing the story or exploring unknown discoveries at their leisure.
The game’s dynamic soundtrack enhances the overall experience, immersing players in the world as they embark on their adventure. The music adds excitement during fast travel and complements the atmosphere of intense battles and exploration. Voice acting is outstanding, and the engaging storyline drives players forward. The free exploration of open space is the most exciting aspect, with risk versus reward mechanics as players chase better equipment for their ship. Cleverly designed puzzles in asteroids or derelict ships and the thrill of exploring planetary atmospheres add to the game’s appeal.
Everspace 2 provides a wide range of side activities, such as racing events and puzzles, that offer additional challenges and rewards. This variety keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging, ensuring players always have something new to do. Rockfish Games has mentioned potential future free DLC/updates and a paid expansion during their weekly streams, with a free content update planned for the second half of 2023 and a major expansion scheduled for mid-2024.
Everspace 2 sets an extremely high bar for space flight games. As an arcade looter shooter with RPG elements, it offers an exciting experience with a wealth of content. With steady progression in both the story and ship power, players will find themselves immersed in this epic space adventure for hours on end.
Platforms: Microsoft Windows