Imagine a world where you float in the darkest corners of space with a ship that can only be described as a metallic potato in a galaxy of fancy french fries. Welcome to Everspace! This title from Rockfish Games is a delightful mix of space trading and roguelike elements. Released on May 22, 2018, for the PS4, it's time to strap in and embark on a journey through colorful star systems that seem to dance around you like a poorly-executed kindergarten sewing project. Let's dive in!
Everspace is not just a space shooter; it's an exhilarating roguelike experience where the likelihood of dying is higher than my interest in the latest TikTok trend. Players control a ship through various sectors filled with enemies, loot, and the joys of imminent death. Dying in Everspace isn't the end; it's more like being served a “do-over” cocktail at an overly generous bar. With each death, you earn credits to buy perks for your next run. It's like saying 'thanks for playing, here’s a cookie for your troubles!' as you ponder what went wrong while high-fiving the void. The game manages to balance familiarities with upgrades and crafting, allowing you to customize your ship’s weapons, maneuverability, and shield systems. So while you may not achieve the ultimate victory, at least your ship will look fabulous on its way to obliteration. NPCs also make appearances, throwing side missions your way as if they’re tossing glitter in your face—sure, you’ll love it until it gets annoying. The overall objective? Survive while piecing together a loose narrative—think of it as a broken jigsaw puzzle where all the colors blend beautifully, just not exactly in the way you envisioned.
Oh, the graphics! If space were a runway, Everspace would be the one strutting its stuff in a dazzling silver gown. The visuals pop out like an overenthusiastic Fourth of July fireworks display. The enemies and environments are richly detailed, painted with colors that scream ‘LOOK AT ME!’ The game is powered by the Unreal Engine 4, making everything from explosions to star fields look as good as a focus group-approved video of a puppy playing with yarn. Just make sure to avoid playing during a pink/hyper saturated scene as it might induce some intense eye discomfort—best not to end up needing glasses because you thought you could stare at the screen forever.
Everspace is a dazzling homage to the beauty of the cosmos, wrapped tightly around a gameplay loop that rewards persistence. It's not the type of game to challenge your high scores for hours on end or spawn a massive community of dedicated e-sport athletes, but it provides a solid and enjoyable single-player experience. With a balance of tight controls and stunning visuals, this game is like that reliable friend who shows up just when you need them (but always finds a way to die spectacularly, in the funniest possible way). Everspace isn’t perfect by any means, but like flying in a space potato, it’s a wacky, thrilling ride that will leave you breathless and slightly amused. Rating: 8/10! Perfect for those days when adventure calls or when your keyboard has a tinge of banana monster overloading (yes, that’s a thing). Prepare for launch in this out-of-this-world adventure!