NOTE: This review is from Early Access. I played the original Everspace, and kinda hated it in some respects: the 'unlock' system was weird, and although you got a sense of gentle progression, but it was never quite *enough* to keep me engaged. Everspace 2 fixes every problem I had with the original, and comes across (even in Early Access) as a very cohesive experience. First off: there is a storyline, and a more linear experience, but there's a lot of customisation options, and your ability to research and craft is AMAZING (you deconstruct modules for Crafting XP, and then unlock blueprints when you use it). It's very much a process of reverse-engineering, which is terribly clever. Be clear, though: this game can be HARD. The NPCs can be challenging, and with the wrong tech, you can find that the battle you thought would be easy turns deadly within moments. Took me ages to realise that the specific shield type I was using only recharged when using boosters! Oops! On the plus side, weapons now have a separate energy pool from boosters/Afterburners, and because you can have multiple primary and secondary weapons, it becomes VERY easy to switch around when you need to recharge or run out of ammo. Oh, on the ammunition note, you can now repair and restock at every trader and station you come across! The biggest change is the addition of PUZZLES. Whether it's finding a power core and slotting it into an energy node to unlock a gate, or manipulating reflector panels to channel a mining beam into a large ore node...the puzzles are challenging, but a hell of a lot of fun, and they add a lot of depth to the game that was missing in the previous one. The game very much feels more like an RPG than the original, but it's all the better for it. It's very much a spiritual successor to Freelancer, but you've got a lot more freedom and versatility. AND THIS IS JUST THE EARLY ACCESS. The final game will be really something else!
