Everspace: Stellar Edition
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Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Critic Reviews for Everspace: Stellar Edition
While I might have aimed a little high with my expectations for Everspace, as a fan of the space combat genre, it ultimately is enjoyable. I don't think it's for everyone but that's the beauty of niche games like this, they don't have to appeal to everyone.
Everspace took me a while to warm up to, but once I changed my control layout and started getting better at the dogfighting aspects, the game became a lot more fun. Between finding resources to survive and picking my fights with nearby outlaws or running away so I could live to fight another sector, Everspace never really feels like the same run twice, and that's definitely a good thing.
Everspace: Stellar Edition isn't the best 3D space shooter or roguelike available, but it's a relatively unique and successful fusion of the two genres. Repetitiveness aside, you may just find yourself hooked by the game's tight combat controls and satisfying progression loop. Unfortunately, the Switch isn't the best way to play the game, unless portability is your top concern. Everspace for Switch isn't for everybody, but if you fall into the game's relatively narrow niche, a galaxy of die and retry fun awaits.
Everspace is a fun, challenging and involving roguelike game set in a space environment that features a very strict difficulty curve and an enormous amount of content to explore. While the difficulty level might seem too unforgiving at moments, this is a game that certainly feels rewarding for its players and those brave enough to venture into its depths will come out scathed but satisfied.
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While reminding us just how much we'd love to see FTL on Switch, Everspace manages to carve out an impressive identity for itself. With gratifying space combat, an addictive ‘rogue-lite' core loop and even some light, entertaining writing along the way, it performs admirably – if not flawlessly – on Nintendo's console. Overall, we had a hell of a time with it and this port does a cracking job of preserving the full experience on a handheld. If any of this sounds remotely enticing, we'd heartily recommend investigation.
I really want to be able to recommend Everspace – Stellar Edition on the Switch, but playing it makes me really just want to go pick the game up for PC. I'm not even sure what could be done to improve the experience, as the entire rest of the game feels like it would be great on the console. I am sure there will be some that put enough time in to make the controls feel like second nature, but on a playthrough of a roguelike where small mistakes are punished, I felt frustrated more often than not that I was having a hard time just dog-fighting other ships.
The Switch's catalogue of quality indie games adds yet another one to its remarkable line-up. Even better, it's something original - something to stand out against its peers. The combat and exploration elements are smooth and entertaining, the rogue-like elements dig addictive hooks deep, the presentation is surprisingly sharp, and the story is a pleasant surprise. Everspace deserves to be on more players' radars. Another hidden gem, and this one shines more than most.
The segmented, sector-by-sector gameplay is perfect for on-the-go play. It employs its genre better than most and manages not to feel too repetitive even as you die over and over again. This is a game that will be at the top of my Switch home screen for a long time to come.
