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EVERSPACE is a beautiful space combat game that's had a Linux beta for a while and it looks like they're nearly ready to give it official status.

Speaking in their latest announcement about an upcoming patch, the developer noted that in two to four weeks patch 1.2.3 should be out with Unreal Engine 4.18 and they said they hope to announce the official Linux release then as well!

You can see my previous thoughts on the game here. It's still a game I happily load up here and there to have a few more runs, I did so today in fact and as usual I didn't get very far, but damn it's fun. It has some seriously striking visuals, intense action and does perform quite well. The one thing that constantly trips me up, is how sensitive changing weapons is with the scroll wheel, I ended up scrolling to the weapon I want and back again too often.

Here's a fresh video of it on Linux:

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The Action Freeze system is certainly still a favourite feature of mine. The ability to freeze the game at any exact moment, really does make for some interesting shots like these I took today:


If you act fast can grab it right now from Humble Store (Steam key, affiliate link) or Steam as it's on sale on both stores for another few hours.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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17 comments

Shmerl Apr 2, 2018
Hopefully we'll see GOG release once it's out. Does it offer some exploration missions too, or it's about combat only?
skinnyraf Apr 2, 2018
My wallet is ready.
Leopard Apr 2, 2018
F12 is giving black screen with this game.
Liam Dawe Apr 2, 2018
F12 is giving black screen with this game.
A common problem with the Steam Screenshot feature and Unreal Engine games on Linux.
riusma Apr 2, 2018
F12 is giving black screen with this game.
A common problem with the Steam Screenshot feature and Unreal Engine games on Linux.

I don't think that the problem is only linked to Unreal Engine games, SOMA (HPL engine, in-house OpenGL engine from Frictional) has the same bug (and the same "green screen" over SteamLink bug if I remember correctly). :S:
Feist Apr 2, 2018
Hopefully we'll see GOG release once it's out. Does it offer some exploration missions too, or it's about combat only?

Sort of, there are missions where you are supposed to search for and scan various life-forms. There's also a fair bit of exploration involved in gathering resources for manufacturing weapons/shields/devices as well as searching through ship wrecks for stashes that contain valuable loot.

However, combat is very much the main focus of the game.
lod Apr 2, 2018
Already played 20h, the linux beta works quite well for me.
Liam Dawe Apr 2, 2018
Buying it now, would it still count towards a Linux sale?
As I think it's important for the developer to see how many people
bought it on Linux release.
Yes it will count. If it has a Linux build, they will see Linux sales.
Cheeseness Apr 3, 2018
Hopefully we'll see GOG release once it's out. Does it offer some exploration missions too, or it's about combat only?

Sort of, there are missions where you are supposed to search for and scan various life-forms. There's also a fair bit of exploration involved in gathering resources for manufacturing weapons/shields/devices as well as searching through ship wrecks for stashes that contain valuable loot.

However, combat is very much the main focus of the game.

Chiming in with my experiences here too. There's definitely an element of exploration in that a sector is made up of nodes that you don't know the contents of (unlockable perks let you see a danger rating, whether the node contains a shop, etc., but beyond that, it's up to you to explore), but everything generated and you can't move backwards, so while the game always has new things for you to find (whether that's ancient alien structures, outlaw bases, solar storms, a node that's too close to a star, etc.), you're not exploring a universe the way you might in say, Pulsar, nor are you learning to navigate environments the way you might in Sublevel Zero.

I'm about 73 hours deep in the game now, and it's still showing me new things. I've recently started doing "no violence runs" as an extra challenge and made it to sector 6 last night. Not having access to resources from enemies you kill is definitely a handicap, and I don't think the finale can be completed without killing everybody, but generally speaking the game can definitely be played without combat being a primary focus.
Shmerl Apr 3, 2018
but everything generated and you can't move backwards, so while the game always has new things for you to find (whether that's ancient alien structures, outlaw bases, solar storms, a node that's too close to a star, etc.), you're not exploring a universe the way you might in say, Pulsar, nor are you learning to navigate environments the way you might in Sublevel Zero.

Ah, I see. I thought it's something similar to Freelancer where you can travel anywhere in the sector back and forth. Still sounds interesting, though I'd prefer a fully "sandbox" type of experience.


Last edited by Shmerl on 3 April 2018 at 2:36 am UTC
Cheeseness Apr 3, 2018
but everything generated and you can't move backwards, so while the game always has new things for you to find (whether that's ancient alien structures, outlaw bases, solar storms, a node that's too close to a star, etc.), you're not exploring a universe the way you might in say, Pulsar, nor are you learning to navigate environments the way you might in Sublevel Zero.

Ah, I see. I thought it's something similar to Freelancer where you can travel anywhere in the sector back and forth. Still sounds interesting, though I'd prefer a fully "sandbox" type of experience.
It's probably more analogous to FTL's sector map, except that you can't jump backwards. It also has overpowering enemy forces that spawn into a node if you linger too long to make sure that you keep moving (which I think is balanced pretty well and helps keep the game's pacing nice and solid).

If it's helpful, the stream archive from yesterday of me doing a "no-violence" run is still up https://www.twitch.tv/videos/245683121
TurtleShark Apr 3, 2018
Mussssttt....noooottt...buyyyyy....

I have too long a backlog, but this definitely looks like it will scratch the Elite Dangerous flying itch I've been having... Anyone played both Elite Dangerous and this? Specifically the flying, how does it compare?
Ehvis Apr 3, 2018
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Mussssttt....noooottt...buyyyyy....

I have too long a backlog, but this definitely looks like it will scratch the Elite Dangerous flying itch I've been having... Anyone played both Elite Dangerous and this? Specifically the flying, how does it compare?

Size doesn't matter! Not even for a backlog. :P

Haven't played Elite Dangerous. Did play X3 though. Flying is a bit different in this one though. It has the mouse as the primary control and using a controller was almost impossible for me. It doesn't even recognise joysticks (unless that added that recently). So it will basically fly towards where you point your cross hair and you control strafe/roll with the keyboard. It kind of works for the game though.
riusma Apr 3, 2018
Mussssttt....noooottt...buyyyyy....

I have too long a backlog, but this definitely looks like it will scratch the Elite Dangerous flying itch I've been having... Anyone played both Elite Dangerous and this? Specifically the flying, how does it compare?

Everspace is more a FPS than a spaceship simulator when it comes to the "flying system" (keyboard inputs are more than less similar to those of a classic FPS, and that's why mouse + keyboard is more recommended than a controller) which may be disturbing if you expect "realism". :)
TurtleShark Apr 3, 2018
Size doesn't matter! Not even for a backlog. :P

Haven't played Elite Dangerous. Did play X3 though. Flying is a bit different in this one though. It has the mouse as the primary control and using a controller was almost impossible for me. It doesn't even recognise joysticks (unless that added that recently). So it will basically fly towards where you point your cross hair and you control strafe/roll with the keyboard. It kind of works for the game though.

Everspace is more a FPS than a spaceship simulator when it comes to the "flying system" (keyboard inputs are more than less similar to those of a classic FPS, and that's why mouse + keyboard is more recommended than a controller) which may be disturbing if you expect "realism". :)

Yes Ehvis! Even the backlog can be too long sadly... Funny enough I didn't have this huge 71 game steam wishlist and 20ish game backlog prior to switching to Linux gaming recently...

I see what you guys are saying about the flying mechanics, maybe not the scratch for the elite dangerous itch then...but I'm now feeling a new itch :P Thanks for the info!

Sounds interesting mechanics wise, still at the top of my wishlist right under HyperLight Drifter...
Cheeseness Apr 4, 2018
Mussssttt....noooottt...buyyyyy....

I have too long a backlog, but this definitely looks like it will scratch the Elite Dangerous flying itch I've been having... Anyone played both Elite Dangerous and this? Specifically the flying, how does it compare?

Everspace is more a FPS than a spaceship simulator when it comes to the "flying system" (keyboard inputs are more than less similar to those of a classic FPS, and that's why mouse + keyboard is more recommended than a controller) which may be disturbing if you expect "realism". :)

Yeah. It's definitely more Descent than Freespace. The mouse cursor aiming mechanic reminds me of Freelancer a little but, but you've still got 6DOF controls without inertia being particularly important (FWIW, I play with cockpit view and the cursor locked to the centre of the screen and find that a bit more enjoyable).


Last edited by Cheeseness on 4 April 2018 at 3:31 am UTC
gustavoyaraujo Apr 4, 2018
Yes, this game is awesome.
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