Rockfish Games’ latest space adventure game, Everspace 2, raises the bar for immersive gameplay. This sequel to the single-player space arcade shooter Everspace removes the roguelike feature in favor of an epic plot and open-world adventure in the RPG genre.
Everspace 2, which has been compared to Freelancer from 2003, is a vast advance over the original in terms of both gameplay and overall quality. The game’s space setting is stunning, with floating boulders, wreckage, and other eye-popping details. The amazing screen-space global lighting ensures that even at 4K resolution, the lack of ray tracing is barely noticeable.
Everspace 2 has nearly 90 hours of content, enough for completionists to experience all six systems, and is sure to please aficionados of the genre. It’s a shame that Everspace 2 doesn’t include a co-op mode for the plot because the wide, chilly reaches of space can make you feel very alone.
It’s clear that having the option to play with a group would have improved the game for those looking for a more social experience and increased the game’s replay value.
Visually, targeting, and movement in Everspace 2 are identical to those in the original game, and the game also features an improved progression system and RPG components. The game can be played with a gamepad, keyboard, and mouse, or joystick/HOTAS.
We used the Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One with rudder pedals, and even for space newbies like us, it was a simple task to get everything set up. Everspace 2 is a space looter shooter with a compelling story, enjoyable combat, and rewarding exploration thanks to the removal of roguelike features. With its 3D movement and precision controls, Everspace 2’s ship handling is reminiscent of an arcade game.
Do you know that the survival horror video game Knock-Knock was made and sold by the Ice-Pick Lodge company in Russia? It’s a side-scrolling game that looks like it’s in 3D:
The story continues from where Everspace left off, with new challenges in the form of puzzles and secret locations, as well as the chance to investigate abandoned capital ships in outer space and on the surfaces of planets for the first time. This enriches the narrative and provides variation to the gameplay by giving players access to new tools and communications.
The world is teeming with loot, and players are rewarded with supplies, weapons, and enhancements when they go out into it. Ship traders sell brand-new vessels that can be customized with new weaponry and modules. The crafting system is built right into the game’s growth, making it more fun and rewarding for players. Gaining favor with other groups can lead to better loot and provide even another avenue for advancement.
As you play Everspace 2, you’ll get a sense of nostalgia for games like Freelancer and Wing Commander: Privateer, while also enjoying a fresh take on the space-exploration genre. The combination of these tried-and-true elements with fresh gaming features makes Everspace 2 enjoyable for both seasoned veterans and curious novices. The pace of the game is relaxed enough that players can take their time advancing the tale or discovering new content.
The game’s dynamic soundtrack adds to the entire atmosphere, making the player feel like they are truly a part of the environment they are exploring. The music enhances the thrill of fast travel and fits perfectly with the dramatic tone of fierce battles and exciting discoveries.
The voice acting is superb, and the tale is compelling enough to keep gamers engaged. The best fun comes from venturing out into space at will, taking calculated risks in exchange for better ship gear.
The excitement of venturing through alien worlds and solving puzzles hidden in asteroids and abandoned spacecraft only adds to the game’s overall appeal.
Further challenges and prizes can be found in Everspace 2’s many optional activities, such as racing events and puzzles. Its variety ensures that gamers never run out of things to do in the game. During their weekly streams, Rockfish Games has talked about a free content update coming in the second half of 2023 and a paid expansion coming in the middle of 2024.
The bar for space travel simulation games is tremendously raised by Everspace 2. It’s a fun and deep shooter with arcade looter and role-playing game components. Because of the game’s emphasis on gradual plot and ship improvement, players can expect to sink dozens of hours into this epic space journey.
