EVERSPACE™ 2

ok RPG-6DoF: the terminal clone sequel Everspace 2 combines elements of space flight/6DoF games like Descent/Freespace/Overload and linear RPG gameplay. Everspace 1 has a recurring gameplay defined by an element of the story (clone retaining memory), and you play as the xth clone, but retain memory of past clones. However, in Everspace 2 you’re the terminal clone. Also, now there are story scenes / flashback cutscenes with the style of a comic book (storyboard). The Good Parts: The best part about this game is that the combat gameplay is improved, along with the weapons and ship modifications/customization. There are more ship variations (but there's no modding support). Some of the puzzles and solutions are interesting and fun, and you can tell there was quite a bit of effort put into making them. The Bad Parts: There's very low/little reward for puzzles and main quest completion. Instead of having the player progress with the main quest, the main game story may take due to requiring doing boring chores. I think the RPG-like nature (and the stereotypical video game “gold star” library of so-called achievements) of the game ruined the fun of Everspace. Also, the story and dialogue is sterile and unserious, serving a mixture of childishness, cliches, and some funny jokes based on the game or the original game, and the characters are charicatures, which isn't for everyone. The travel mode between star systems/locations = you sit and watch your ship "cruising" in auto-pilot (ratio of combat time to travel time is probably 1:5). Once a system "explorer challenge" is completed, when auto-pilot is activated you can "fast travel" in the travel mode between locations (at least 20x faster). During travel you always get distracting "distress" and "unknown" signals that also ping the user regularly with pointless distractions (at least, after the first 20 they sure seemed pointless). [shortened. character limit exceeded by 1000]

Graphics, sounds, gameplay rocks. It's still not the perfect space game I've always wanted but have not found, in the last decade or so. X games take simulation and expand it in such a way as to get a bit overwhelming. Something that seems to ask a week just to internalize one fifth of the very basics :D Then we have these space games that are great but they are mostly just action... Everspace 2 gets it very almostly right. A bit of too much action maybe. But... on the other hand... The game is a very, very fine space game despite the action-heaviness. I especially love that there are ships to buy, customize, equip how you please, equipment itself to upgrade, and minerals and other bits to seek, and generally the space in Everpace, it's not X huge, but it still feels quite huge. There is maybe a bit too much going on :D But you can fortunately play the game as you please, ignore the distress calls that take you away from your multiple jobs that took you away from your side quests that took you away from your main quest. And those unknown locations are also quite tempting. The only proper dislike I have is the flash you get with the big jumps... The game does give a warning about it, and that's nice, and this is a space action game, so some flashing was expected, and appreciated.. but somehow the whole jump sequence gets a bit weary when you've already seen it 500 times... But I don't mean that it is a big flaw. It's a mere annoyance sometimes, in the middle of a very enjoyable, much appreciated rare gem of a space game. And now we have the DLC with More :) Only thing I'd want after this... is someone'd make a similar game, with just a wee bit more simulation, just a few more steps towards X games. That would be epic. Anyhow time to go mine some titanium, and see what that they have in the next star system.

Wonderful space diablo game. Played it buccaneered, but seeing how well its crafted i bought it along with all the DLCs. Cheers Rockfish, you did well.

I'm writing this review after completing the base game and the Wrath of the Ancients DLC. Don't worry, there will be no spoilers. Yes, Everspace 2 is good. Nice fluid combat in space, which is pretty much what you'd expect from this kind of game. It has an okay story that can get a bit boring at times, but just as many times, it offers a good twist that pulls you back in. And this time, you are playing the good guy. There are no moral dilemmas for you to choose or solve. Although there are a few actions that are somewhat questionable, they are left entirely up to you to interpret. Sure, at times this can be good, just as it can be bad, but this is not your story - this is Adam's story, and you are playing as Adam. Frankly, this is a bit refreshing among the sea of open-world, choice-matter games. The "Wrath of the Ancients" DLC continues the story at the exact point the base game ends and offers a few new, unique regions for you to explore and fight through. Which reminds me to praise the visuals. My god, the backgrounds and level designs are amazing, stunning and gorgeous! Accompanied by a spot-on soundtrack, you will lose track of time and spend hours with the game before you know it. Enemy variety is pretty good, though after a while, once you reach max level, you can decimate entire fleets. Not a good thing, but at the same time, you feel you've earned it. A good factor for that is the variety of ship classes, devices, consumables, primary and secondary weapons combinations you can mix to get a combo that really works for you. And if you're looking for a challenge, you can always do high lunacy Reliquary runs (late game) or try to upgrade Ascendant items at the Alter (Wrath of the Ancients DLC).

Makes me think of the old FreeLancer, though less self exploration. But a good experience non the less