Pixel Sundays: Everspace – From Roguelike to Complete Space RPG
Space games are a world of their own. They are games that almost always go to extremes. They are either massive simulations with numerous systems, trading, and immense freedom, or highly linear action games. Today, we are discussing Everspace, which aimed for a middle ground. The game is more of a fast-paced, direct space shooter featuring loot, dogfights, and a strong single-player focus. The first installment was released in 2017, funded via Kickstarter, and was followed by commercial success with over a million copies sold.
Summary
- Everspace 1: The Harsh Beginning Between Roguelike and Space Shooter
- Why Everspace Stood Out at the Time
- Encounters: How the First Entry Gained More Personality
- Everspace 2: The Bold Shift from Roguelike to Space RPG
- Why Everspace 2 Works Better for Many Players
- Titans and Wrath of the Ancients: How Everspace 2 Continued to Grow
- The Future of the Everspace Franchise
- Conclusion: Everspace Started Small, But Grew Massive
The game has evolved significantly from the action-roguelike with short runs of its first entry. Everspace 2 deliberately shifted from the pure roguelike formula to a space shooter with RPG elements, loot, exploration, and a much broader narrative. The game launched in April 2023 for PC and in August for PS5 and Xbox Series. Today, we look back at the origins of the franchise, how it has developed, and what the future holds.
Everspace 1: The Harsh Beginning Between Roguelike and Space Shooter
Everspace 1 was immediately different. It was not a classic space simulator, but a fast-paced single-player space shooter built on a roguelike structure. While other titles like Elite Dangerous or Star Citizen offered vast freedom, Everspace focused on short, intense runs with distinct tension. On Steam, developer Rockfish Games describes the title as an action-oriented single-player space shooter combining fast-paced combat, roguelike elements, excellent visuals, and a compelling story. The gameplay loop is quite straightforward: you fly, fight, loot, and jump further. Every run features new routes, alongside different hazards, locations, and choices.
Rockfish Games is a German studio based in Hamburg that, to date, has exclusively published the Everspace series on PC and consoles. In the first game, you had limited resources to repair your ship, craft, or upgrade for the current attempt. You constantly have to weigh whether to fly onward and avoid risks, or scavenge further to find better loot. The combat system is highly direct and arcade-like. This meant there was no deep simulation; instead, the focus was entirely on playability, reflexes, and accessible controls.
Death was inevitable in the game, yet it was merely the beginning of the journey. You were not punished for failing, as after every run, you could earn credits to unlock permanent upgrades. While you always return to the starting conditions and lose everything acquired during the run, you start stronger each time. You can upgrade your shields, engines, sensors, weapons, or armor. This progression makes every run highly motivating, because even if a run went poorly, you emerged stronger. The game also featured a storyline that advanced through every death. The first entry possessed its own distinct identity; it was not massive, but strictly focused on its roguelike features.
Why Everspace Stood Out at the Time
Everspace was released in 2017. At that time, many space games were primarily massive and therefore visually overwhelming. Enormous galaxies, open systems, simulations, trading, economies, multiplayer, and long-term freedom were often the main focus. For instance, Elite Dangerous features an open Milky Way with roughly 400 billion star systems. In contrast, Everspace was much more compact. As a player, you do not need to worry about economies, factions, online systems, or complex simulation mechanics; you can simply dive right in.
Everspace is perfect for simply enjoying short sessions, even if you have very little time. As a result, the game did not require vast expanses, but rather cool ships and a fast combat system. Every run was newly thrilling, as everything changed, yet you constantly grew stronger. You always wanted to keep going; the drive for one more sector, one more fight, and one more attempt pushed you forward. Furthermore, the game looked remarkably high-quality for an indie title, boasting first-class graphics. Rockfish Games had the experience to back this up. The studio describes itself as a team with a AAA mobile game background that restructured in 2014 to develop PC and console games.
The studio acquired the funding for development via Kickstarter, raising roughly $475,000 according to their own reports. However, the game evolved into a surprise success. Rockfish Games reports over a million copies sold across PC, Xbox, PS4, and Switch. Everspace was distinct because it was fast and never attempted to compete with the sheer scale of other space games. It won players over through its pacing, clarity, and replayability.
Encounters: How the First Entry Gained More Personality
Encounters was the first and only major expansion for Everspace, released on October 24, 2017, on Steam. The DLC introduced greater variety within runs through new characters, questlines, and encounters. Additionally, the expansion brought a new player ship, gear, and more content into the game. The DLC features five new questlines and new characters, each with their own motivations and goals. Rockfish aimed to implement more encounters and tell deeper stories alongside the thrilling dogfights.
The DLC also introduced factory stations with services, and you could visit the Okkar homeworld. At the factory stations, you could repair your ship, upgrade it, or process resources during a run. The new player ship was the Colonial Sentinel, a medium fighter with powerful shields and a focus on electronic warfare. This ship provided far more tactical options due to its enhanced shield capabilities.
Everspace 2: The Bold Shift from Roguelike to Space RPG
With Everspace 2, we reach the major turning point of the series. The title does not merely expand on the core concept; it redefines the franchise. Rockfish did not simply create a larger and better-looking Everspace 2, but a game that steps away from the roguelike structure. Everspace 2 is now an open-world spaceship shooter featuring RPG elements, extensive loot, deep exploration, and a grand narrative. Furthermore, you can mine, craft, trade, complete contracts, and much more. The game launched on PC on April 6, 2023, following its Early Access debut in January 2021. The PC release was followed by PS5 and Xbox Series versions in August 2023.
In the game, you no longer fight through individual runs, but navigate a persistent world with missions, side quests, locations, and permanent progression. Death is now avoidable and no longer grants advantages. However, the combat remains relatively unchanged, maintaining fast-paced dogfights, direct controls, loot, spaceships, weaponry, evasion tactics, and striking visuals. The game now relies on a solid loot cycle, where you find new weapons, superior equipment, and rare items to continuously upgrade your ship.
The universe features over 100 hand-crafted locations spread across 6 star systems. You will encounter numerous wrecks, stations, asteroid fields, planetary sectors, and puzzle areas. Additionally, you can fly into near-planet regions to undertake missions, engage in battles, or uncover secrets. Despite this, Everspace 2 is not a traditional space simulation game. It remains an arcade-style, fast-paced shooter built on an RPG foundation.
Why Everspace 2 Works Better for Many Players
Everspace 1 was not a weak game, but its roguelike design and run-based structure made it relevant only to a specific audience. The sequel feels more accessible, as progression is more permanent and clear. Furthermore, it appeals to space RPG enthusiasts, shifting focus away from roguelike fans. You are encouraged to complete continuous missions and upgrade your ship, an approach that many find more engaging than constantly starting a new run. The open world also encourages players to stay engaged longer, offering persistent locations, merchants, and tasks to return to at any time.
The action-RPG core is also highly popular among players. You discover rare gear, craft upgrades, and continuously expand your own ship, enabling you to take on tougher opponents. The second installment retains the DNA of the original but reduces the frustration associated with many roguelike elements. The game’s depth stems from its diverse builds, ship classes, equipment, and crafting mechanics.
Titans and Wrath of the Ancients: How Everspace 2 Has Evolved
Titans was the first major gameplay DLC for Everspace 2, released on September 16, 2024. This DLC introduced massive, repeatable encounters with new enemies, abundant loot, and two distinct storylines featuring new characters. The two primary additions are the Outlaw Dreadnought and the Leviathan, which serve as major in-game threats that you must address. The Dreadnought encounter centers around the Minokawa, a massive warship from the Colonial War that has been hijacked by Outlaws. Within the DLC, you also venture inside a living Leviathan to recover lost technology and treasures.
Following this, Wrath of the Ancients launched as a significantly larger expansion. Released on May 12, 2025, it is set after the events of Everspace 2. The narrative focuses on an escalating conflict sparked by mysterious Ancient ships attacking human colonies. The DLC introduces four new explorable star systems, multiple locations, and numerous new adversaries. Furthermore, it features new quests and side quests that further develop the characters and storylines from the base game. The DLC delivers over 10 hours of fresh content.
The DLC also introduces a new playable Okkar ship. This vessel utilizes defeated enemies to gather fragments and trigger special abilities. Additionally, it brings new weapons, equipment, legendary items, a new gear rarity tier, and new bosses. Wrath of the Ancients marks the final gameplay DLC for Everspace 2, meaning no further content will be released for the title. You can now experience the complete game without anticipating future additions.
The Future of the Everspace Franchise
As previously mentioned, no further content will be released for Everspace 2. However, the developers at Rockfish noted in late 2025 that they are currently working on a highly exciting project, about which they cannot yet share details. The development of this game will take some time. By March 2026, more concrete information emerged, as Rockfish received a grant of €8 million from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research for the next entry in the Everspace franchise. This funding will be disbursed over the next five years and is intended to finance an expanded workforce. The total budget exceeds €20 million, making it higher than that of the previous games. However, it is likely that the game will not be a roguelike, but rather closer in style to the second installment.
Conclusion: Everspace Started Small, But Grew Massive
Everspace stands as a prime example of how an indie franchise can expand without losing its unique identity. The first installment was a challenging, fast-paced, and surprisingly beautiful roguelike space shooter. Everspace 2 transformed this foundation into a much broader action-RPG complete with loot, exploration, and an expanded narrative. This precise evolution is what makes the series compelling for Pixel Sundays. It is not solely about spaceships and lasers; it is about a German studio that cultivated a distinct sci-fi universe from a clear, initial vision. Following Wrath of the Ancients, Everspace 2 feels like a highly comprehensive package. Whether an Everspace 3 will eventually materialize remains to be seen. However, the franchise already possesses enough history to warrant a closer look.
Hey, I’m Kilian, but online you’ll probably know me as “Tux1243.” I've been part of the team for almost two years now, always trying to keep you in the loop with the latest and coolest gaming news. I also have a huge passion for doing deep dives and detailed analyses of entire game series and franchises. I love getting to the bottom of things and exploring the little details and backstories that make game worlds so fascinating.
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