EVERSPACE 2

 PC
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. GameCritics
    Aug 21, 2023
    70
    Everspace 2 is the definition of a mixed bag — it’s great in some areas, but awful in others. For every exciting sidequest or random event, there’s a long, boring main mission to suffer through. For every thrilling combat scenario, there are dozens of loading screens that rip me out of the experience. I wish it held together a bit more consistently because Everspace 2 starts off as a promising adventure, but by the time I reached the end of Adam’s saga, seeing credits felt, ultimately, more like a burden lifted from my shoulders than the epic end to a space odyssey it could have been.
  2. Gamer.no
    Apr 28, 2023
    70
    With Everspace 2, Rockfish takes the leap from roguelike to a full-fledged space adventure in a giant galaxy. Here there are endless things to explore, but a lack of variety means that the experience quickly loses its zest.
  3. Edge Magazine
    Apr 20, 2023
    70
    While Rockfish has created an accomplished open-world experience among the stars, then, it really needn't take up quite so much space. [Issue#384, p.110]
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  5. GameSkinny
    Apr 5, 2023
    70
    Sadly, even if there's a huge map to explore filled with scenic views, there's a sense of emptiness beyond the blackness of space. Everspace 2 is lonely, leaving you to tackle most threats from beyond by yourself.
  6. IGN
    Apr 4, 2023
    70
    Everspace 2 is pure, distilled video game, all about how its space combat action plays moment to moment rather than whether that makes sense in a game world or fits a complex and nuanced story.
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  1. 3DJuegos
    Apr 17, 2023
    Everspace 2 departs from its predecessor to adhere to the Action RPG formula in the looter shooter style. Does it suit it well? No doubt it does. [Recommended]
  2. Gamers Heroes
    Jan 15, 2021
    Everspace 2 is still in its infancy. The lack of roguelike elements many have come to love from the original may be a step in the wrong direction for many fans. However, in their absence is a bigger, more exciting universe, a passionate story, and a thrilling adventure. I can’t wait to see what’s on the horizon for Everspace 2.
  3. Jeuxvideo.com
    Jan 24, 2021
    Its accessible maneuverability, put at the service of a classic but efficient progression, will seduce the budding pilot left on the sidelines by the advanced simulations. [Early Access Review Score = 75]
  5. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Apr 4, 2023
    Approach Everspace 2 like a single-player arcade space shooter with a 30 hour shelf life, rather than a Loot-Spewing Space Diablo you will play forever, and it’s enormously entertaining stuff. It’s like playing Freelancer for the first time again, or Colony Wars: Red Sun on a chipped PlayStation with the lid propped open.
  6. Vice
    Apr 14, 2023
    Everspace 2 manages to meld two radically different modes of combat, becoming one of the best space shooters in years.

Awards & Rankings

82
#82 Best PC Game of 2023
54
#54 Most Discussed PC Game of 2023

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 56 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 56
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 56
  3. Negative: 3 out of 56
  1. philzlz
    Apr 23, 2023
    5
    I really did not enjoy this one. After five hours you have seen everything the game has to offer. Voice acting is monotone, I did not care forI really did not enjoy this one. After five hours you have seen everything the game has to offer. Voice acting is monotone, I did not care for any of the characters and enemies come in clusters of four max five enemy ships. You will rarely attack a bigger enemy ship. Loot repeats over and over again, you will use the same weapons all game just with higher stats, legendary items are too rare for a looter shooter.

    Quests are level gated, meaning you have to grind the same boring enemies and missions to advance. Now the worst part must be the puzzles that repeat over and over again. It is like finding a needle in a haystack, absolutely sleep inducing!

    It took me 25 hours to complete the game and I just soldiered through because I hoped it would get better. If you do not like the gameplay loop after a few hours do not go on, trust me.

    On a positive note it is a good looking game and ran well except on one or two planets.    … Full Review »
  2. megacrabe
    May 5, 2023
    2
    A wall of boring repetitive grind. Bad music and mobile-like gameplay do not help the grind at all. The endless "find a piece in a randomA wall of boring repetitive grind. Bad music and mobile-like gameplay do not help the grind at all. The endless "find a piece in a random place and put it where it fits" puzzles get tedious within the first few hours. You even have to grind for the fast travel that you unlock pretty late into the game. I ended up never using it at all.

    Don't listen to anyone who compares this game to Freelancer. They are nothing alike. Everspace 2 has next to no redeeming qualities. Maybe the story?

    EDIT: finished the game, the story is anything but okay. Just like everything else in the game, it shows promise initially, but eventually takes a huge nosedive and loses any semblance of quality.    … Full Review »
  3. WisetSticky
    Apr 9, 2023
    9
    Took me minute to get the controls adjusted (i.e. mouse movement speed, dead zone), but once I did, flying felt amazing. Navigating aroundTook me minute to get the controls adjusted (i.e. mouse movement speed, dead zone), but once I did, flying felt amazing. Navigating around can sometimes be a little disorientating, but that's not a shortcoming of the game. Instead, it's a side effect of being able to move and rotate any which way you want. Fortunately, hud icons marking enemies/items/points-of-interest help.

    Combat is also great. Different weapons feel distinct, and are good for different situations (i.e. close or long range combat). Can also equip your ships with additional active abilities, which are sure to suit different play styles. Can modulate difficulty through a difficulty slider, aim-assist slider, and through doing some extra grinding.

    RPG mechanics are limited solely to progression. So, don't expect choice when it comes to dialogue or solving quests. There are, however, several different ways to progress (i.e. ships, equipment, companion perks, main character perks, upgrading active abilities).

    The main gameplay loop involves traveling somewhere for a mission, killing enemies, completing the quest, and then exploring around for all the goodies that are scattered about. There are also light puzzle elements tied to accessing some of the loot (i.e. destroying shield generators to get past a shield, or providing power to a doohicky so that doors will open).

    Nothing particularly intriguing or compelling when it comes to story, dialogue, and characters, but it's serviceable. The voice acting is solid though.

    Haven't beat the game yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if I hit 100 hours of play time before seeing the credits roll.

    Oh, do note that it's not a true open world. It has "lily pads," and what is essentially an immersive world map. Like, instead of just selecting areas on a world map to travel to, or walking an avatar across a world map, you're transitioned to a 3d world map, that is graphically indistinguishable from the lily pads, that you can fly around in. It's a neat trick, which was executed well. (Hopefully that all made sense).

    No lootboxes or other microtransaction BS.

    I have quibbles with certain things (like mining with guns, and the sound effects that accompany it), but none of that is getting in the way of my fun. It's a good game, and I definitely recommend it for guys who like space combat, exploration, and progression systems.    … Full Review »
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