Space games have always been a bit of a mixed bag for me. There are some absolute classics out there, such as Star Wars Squadrons, Elite, Federation of Free Traders (yeah, I’m showing my age with that last one). Still, quite a few can be either too complicated, too slow or just feel like you’re spending more time looking at menus than actually flying a spaceship. EVERSPACE 2 manages to avoid most of those problems by mixing fast-paced space combat with exploration, RPG mechanics, loot, crafting and a surprisingly substantial story.
Originally released on PC in 2023 before making its way onto PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, EVERSPACE 2 has now arrived on Nintendo Switch 2 in the form of the Galactic Edition. This is the complete package, including the main game, the Titans expansion, Wrath of the Ancients expansion and the Supporter Pack. That’s a lot of space exploration to squeeze onto a handheld console!
Is someone about to do something unwise?
It is worth pointing out just how significant this release is. The original Switch was never capable of running EVERSPACE 2 to the standard Rockfish wanted, with the developer previously saying that the game was simply too technically demanding. The Switch 2 finally provides the hardware needed to make it possible.
So, does EVERSPACE 2 make a successful jump to Nintendo’s new hardware? In short, yes. There are compromises compared with the PC and current-generation console versions, but considering what is happening on screen, this is an impressive version of the game.
Gameplay
At its heart, EVERSPACE 2 is a third-person space shooter, but calling it simply a space shooter doesn’t really do it justice. It combines exploration, RPG progression, looting, crafting, mining, puzzles, trading and plenty of shooting into one huge package.
Unlike the first EVERSPACE, which used roguelike mechanics, the sequel is much more of an open-world RPG. You can freely travel between more than 120 handcrafted locations spread across ten star systems, with plenty of hidden areas, abandoned structures, asteroid fields and other points of interest to discover.
The flying itself is excellent. It has an arcade feel rather than trying to be a full-on space simulator, so you can quickly get your ship moving, boost around enemies, dodge incoming fire and move vertically as well as horizontally. That makes combat feel fast and exciting without requiring you to spend hours learning complicated flight controls.
And there is a lot of combat!
See you crater, space invader
You’ll take on pirates, drones, aliens and much larger ships, with different enemies requiring different approaches. You have conventional weapons, energy weapons, missiles and special abilities, while your ship can be upgraded with different equipment and devices. There is also a useful targeting system and aim assistance that makes playing with the Switch 2’s controls feel much more natural than you might expect from a game this complicated.
Loot is a huge part of the experience. Destroying enemies and exploring locations will regularly reward you with new weapons, equipment and upgrades. You’ll constantly be comparing statistics and deciding whether something is actually better than what you’re already using. It gives the game that satisfying “just one more mission” feeling that you get from a good loot-based RPG.
Then there is crafting and mining. Resources can be collected throughout the galaxy and used to create and improve equipment. You can also modify your ship and experiment with different builds, which becomes increasingly important as you get further into the game.
Risk is our business
The exploration isn’t simply flying from A to B either. There are puzzles, environmental challenges, hidden locations and secrets tucked away throughout the systems. Some areas require you to manipulate objects, activate machinery or work out how to reach places that initially appear inaccessible. It gives you a reason to actually explore rather than simply following mission markers.
There is also a proper story running through everything, with a large cast of characters and plenty of side missions. It is entirely single-player, though, so if you’re expecting co-op, you’ll be disappointed. That said, the single-player focus works well because EVERSPACE 2 is very much designed around letting you progress at your own pace.
The Switch 2 controls are another strong point. The game is obviously designed around a controller on consoles, and it translates particularly well to the Joy-Con 2 and Pro Controller. The controls can also be customised, which is useful because there are a lot of abilities and commands to fit onto a controller. Rockfish has continued improving the console control system throughout the game’s development.
Graphics & Audio
This is probably where the Switch 2 version surprised me the most. Having had the Switch Lite and then the OLED, I have always been a little bit disappointed with how graphics looked. It was more of a family console for party nights than the main centre of entertainment. The Switch 2 is certainly having more of my attention than the predecessors did.
EVERSPACE 2 is a very pretty game, and it has no shortage of things happening on screen. Huge planets, asteroid fields, space stations, explosions, lasers, missiles and dozens of ships can all be visible during a battle. The environments also have plenty of detail, with abandoned structures, mining facilities, wrecked ships and enormous celestial bodies giving each area its own identity.
Performance over power
The Switch 2 version runs with a 45fps cap, rather than attempting to match the 60fps performance available on more powerful hardware. At first, 45fps might sound like an odd number, but it actually suits the game rather well. It isn’t quite as silky smooth as the 60fps modes available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and capable PCs, but it feels considerably smoother than a traditional 30fps experience. More importantly, the performance is generally consistent, which matters more to me than chasing a higher frame rate and ending up with constant dips.
There are obviously visual compromises compared with the PC version running at high or ultra settings. Textures aren’t quite as sharp, distant objects don’t have the same level of detail, and some effects have been reduced. However, when you’re actually playing rather than comparing screenshots side-by-side, these compromises are surprisingly easy to forget. Handheld mode is where I think this version really comes into its own.
To dock or not
The Switch 2 has a much larger 7.9-inch 1080p screen, and the higher resolution and HDR support make it a much better handheld display than the original Switch. The colourful explosions, glowing weapons and huge planets look particularly good on that screen.
Docked to a TV, the difference compared with PS5, Xbox or PC is more noticeable, particularly if you’re sitting close to a large 4K television. The Switch 2 can output up to 4K in compatible games, but EVERSPACE 2‘s priority here is clearly maintaining its 45fps performance rather than trying to push native 4K.
The sound is equally impressive. Weapons have plenty of punch, explosions have weight, and the background music does a good job of making the galaxy feel considerably larger than it actually is. Character dialogue and sound effects are clear, while the constant hum of your ship and various environmental sounds add plenty of atmosphere.
Longevity
This is where EVERSPACE 2: Galactic Edition really earns its place on the Switch 2.
The developers quote more than 50 hours of story and side content, and that’s before you start going off the beaten track looking for everything hidden around the galaxy.
The Galactic Edition also means you aren’t just getting the base game. Titans adds another substantial chunk of content, while Wrath of the Ancients introduces a new storyline, four additional systems, the Okkar homeworlds, a new Okkar Wraith ship class and new weapons and equipment.
Give me more!
There are also different ship classes to experiment with, different equipment combinations, crafting, upgrades, side quests, secrets and plenty of reasons to revisit areas you’ve already explored.
It is the sort of game where you can easily lose an evening because you originally intended to complete one mission but ended up spending an hour upgrading your ship, mining resources and investigating something interesting you spotted on the way.
The lack of multiplayer is worth mentioning again, but I don’t think it hurts the longevity particularly badly. This is a game designed around exploration and progression rather than competing against other players. Personally, I quite like the idea of just having some time to myself simply exploring and blasting things in space.
Conclusion
EVERSPACE 2 is one of those games that makes you appreciate just how far handheld gaming has come.
The PC version is still the place to go if you want the highest possible resolution, frame rate and graphical settings, while the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions have the advantage of more powerful hardware and smoother 60fps performance. But the Switch 2 version doesn’t feel like a heavily compromised afterthought. Instead, it feels like a genuine console version that happens to be portable.
The 45fps cap is a sensible compromise; the controls work extremely well, and the visual downgrade from the other platforms is nowhere near as severe as I was expecting. Considering that the original Switch couldn’t realistically run the game without unacceptable compromises, getting the full EVERSPACE 2 experience running on Switch 2 is quite an achievement. More importantly, this is the complete Galactic Edition, giving Switch 2 owners the base game and its major expansions in one package. With more than 50 hours of core story and side content, ten star systems, more than 120 handcrafted locations, loads of loot, crafting, exploration and plenty of things to shoot, there is an enormous amount here for your money.
Final thoughts
If you already own EVERSPACE 2 on PC, PS5 or Xbox and are happy playing it there, I wouldn’t suggest buying it again purely for the graphics. But if you’re someone who loves the idea of being able to pick up a game like this and play it anywhere, the Switch 2 version makes a very convincing argument for itself.
For me, that’s the biggest achievement here. EVERSPACE 2: Galactic Edition is a big, ambitious space RPG that really shouldn’t feel this comfortable running on a handheld. Yet somehow it does. I am so impressed that I’m giving it the Thumb Culture Platinum Award!
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.
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