EVERSPACE Early Access Preview
EVERSPACE has recently released via the Xbox Game Preview, and I was able to get my hands on it to see what all the hubbub was about. A rogue-like, space action game, EVERSPACE undoubtedly stakes a claim on the space simulation mountain alongside notables Star Citizen and No Man’s Sky. EVERSPACE is shaping up to be a polished experience that delivers and makes good on what it promises.
I have to be honest, my first few runs in EVERSPACE ended in quick and relatively pitiful deaths. For some reason, I was unable to maneuver properly and I could not hit any of my enemies. With some tweaking of the settings and a switch to the cockpit view, I was well on my way shooting rockets into small vents. With some adjustments and getting used to the controls, the game finally felt responsive and movement became almost second nature. While I feel that the controls are great, your mileage may vary depending on your settings.
Going into the game itself, EVERSPACE features a non-linear rogue-like experience complete with a story, interesting-thus-far characters, and most importantly, perma-death. Players can expect no two runs to be the same, and to explore many different areas on their journey. Upon each death, players can upgrade their ships and abilities in order to make a deeper run throughout the galaxy.
______________________________
“Players will need to balance their thirst for combat with their survivability in order to make it further in their journey.”
Although the premise of the game is quite simple, to get from point A to point B, there is a lot that EVERSPACE has to offer. Whether you choose to be passive and search for materials, hunt down space pirates or choose to attack other frigates, there is plenty of opportunity and options for you. Perhaps the most understated part of the game which interests me greatly is the stealth option. The player can choose to cloak themselves in order to sneak past enemies en route to their destination without needing to fight. Sometimes, fighting is not the best option.
Another impressive part of EVERSPACE is the ship damage. When your ship is damaged in combat (or reckless space navigation) your equipment can be damaged which affects your craft’s performance and capabilities. In order to repair your ship, materials will be required, which can be quite scarce at times. Players will need to balance their thirst for combat with their survivability in order to make it further in their journey.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway I had from EVERSPACE were the graphics. The game just looks technically fantastic and the planets and such off in the distance are also gorgeous. The game ran smoothly and was visually a treat for my eyes. The only issue I had with the game’s visuals so far were the indicators on the HUD. All the indicators are very similar so it was hard to differentiate at times between potential enemies in the distance and enemies headed straight for you.
______________________________
“Slated for its final release in Q1 of 2017, EVERSPACE looks to be at the very least, a very solid space combat simulation game.”
The audio in the game was also very fitting. Space physics aside, the game does a great job in terms of sound effects, particularly within space battles. Explosions, cannons, shield warnings, and more all played a major role in the game. The voice acting in the game is well done, whether it is comprised of helpful hints or some random banter.
EVERSPACE is shaping up very nicely, and I am looking forward to trying out the other ships as they release, as well as all the other content on the way. Slated for its final release in Q1 of 2017, EVERSPACE looks to be at the very least, a very solid space combat simulation game. Although rogue-likes generally do not have complex narratives, EVERSPACE does well in providing enough story elements to keep players engaged. We are very excited to see how the game continues to develop, and are confident that it will be a fun experience for many.
*** Xbox One code provided by the publisher ***
