Everspace 2
Play it on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows (Steam Deck YMMV)
Current goal: Unlock the Tractor Beam MK3 upgrade
Ever since it finally came to console earlier this month, I’ve been slowly making my way through Everspace 2. Imagine the arcadey space sim action of Star Fox with the action-RPG loot trappings of a Diablo-like. Despite the sometimes overwhelming UI and a lot of moving parts to keep track of, it controls well and there’s a wealth of customization to dig into. I couldn’t care less about the story at the moment, but I’m having a blast just flying through space, shooting down enemy vessels, and collecting all kinds of junk to fix up my ship with.
I’m still early, but the thing Everspace 2 nails from the outset, as its name might imply, is the supreme vastness and loneliness of space combined with the thrill of encountering the unknown. It’s been the perfect cooldown at the end of the night while chilling in bed with my phone. It’s on Game Pass on Xbox and PC, and the cloud streaming works just good enough to let me grind out a couple fights and surveys before turning in for the night. Its 3D environments are a special highlight, including close-quarters asteroid caves and moon tunnels. — Ethan Gach
And that’s it for our weekend picks this time around. What games will you be playing?
