It’s the roguelike 3D Space Shooter that drew in the crowds when it first released in 2016 as part of the Xbox Game Preview program. That was then followed by a full launch in mid-2017 to deliver something a little different to the roguelike scene. Now though ROCKFISH Games are back and they are dropping the Encounters expansion to Everspace on to Xbox One and Xbox Play Anywhere.
Available right now, the Everspace Encounters expansion on Xbox One features a new player ship, new gear, all-new factory space stations, additional locations, and new story characters who each bring individual questlines. If you’re looking for content, then Encounters looks to deliver.
With a price of £8.39, we see this major expansion adding over 10 hours of extra gameplay to the base game, as we get access to the Colonial Sentinel – a ship that is packed with lethal weaponry and offers a fresh new play-style. It is armed to the teeth with an array of sophisticated electronic warfare weaponry, like an EMP Generator to disable any electronic systems within a certain area, a powerful Lightning Gun dealing damage to several targets at close range as well as a Seeker Missile Battery for launching a fiery barrage at multiple foes all at once. You can add to that a Plasma Thrower which propels white-hot death as a spurt of plasma onto enemy craft and the Neutron Cannon which devastates enemies with increasing area damage and bigger projectiles the longer it is charged.
Encounters isn’t just about defeating enemies though – as much as we wish it was – and the introduction of all-new factory space stations in the expansion delivers the ability for pilots to refine and convert resources, upgrade ship capabilities or carry out minor repair jobs from damage sustained in combat.
Further to this, those who are looking for new enemies to take on will find plenty of new types in place, and new story characters who themselves will offer individual questlines thanks to the roguelike game loop.
Should you have managed to finish the main base game – and don’t forget, you’ll need this in order to experience Encounters – there is now a whole new incentive to get back into the game, allowing you to explore new possibilities and unveil further secrets in the galaxy. The most daring space pilots can even venture to the Okkar Homeworld to face yet another challenge and collect special rewards.
But don’t worry if you haven’t checked out Everspace before, as the roguelike nature will ensure that any pilots get the chance to experience everything that Encounters has to offer.
“We know that are our fans on Xbox have been waiting for this release for a long time, which is why we’re thrilled to launch Encounters on Xbox One, today. Of course, we are still supporting Play Anywhere, so Everspace pilots can delve into even more fast-paced space action and content to explore as well as new deep space encounters to experience on both platforms without paying twice,” says Michael Schade, CEO of ROCKFISH Games.
We’ll have some thoughts dropping on the new content asap but for now you could do a whole ton worse than check out our review of the base game.
DLC Description:
Encounters is the first major expansion for EVERSPACE™, enriching the game world with new story characters and questlines, a brand-new player ship, freighter-loads of novel equipment, additional enemies, and much more. A NEW RIDE Impress your peers with the new Colonial Sentinel, a medium fighter craft, and make use of its powerful shield and advanced electronic warfare capabilities. Mileage may vary. NEW FRIENDS? Meet new story characters, each with their own motivations and agendas. Ever met a robot bounty hunter with a French accent who would rather create than destroy? Of course not. Or an alien scientist who sends you on a hunt for space creatures? That’s right. Creatures… In space. EXTRA FIREPOWER New primary and secondary weapons, such as Lightning Guns and Plasma Throwers, will ensure continued enjoyment when dispatching your opponents. Ever wanted to barrage multiple foes at once with projectiles? The Seeker Missile Battery aims to please. You deserve this. TOOLS OF THE TRADE EMP Generators? Decoy Holograms? Why, yes! Tons of new devices and consumables will make surviving Cluster 34… as hard as before. But even more fun. THE FINAL TOUCH If you’re not too busy dying, the new G&B factory stations are well worth a visit. Here you can upgrade your ship, refine resources and delay your inevitable fate by means of repairs. WAIT? THERE’S MORE? If a simple paint job didn’t do it for you, why not fly in style with a set of fashionable ship skins? And if your journey isn’t challenging enough already, we’ve got you covered with even more achievements. Happy hunting, pilots. Try not to die.
