Info about EVERSPACE™ - Encounters:

Official game 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?**  
Play five new quest lines and meet new 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**  
Six 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! More than ten additional 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 one of the five new 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.

Release date: Oct 24, 2017

Categories: Space Combat, Roguelite, Space Trading and Combat Simulation, Ship Customization, Quest-driven Progression

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 15; verdict: Fair / Traditional DLC; summary: The reviews focus on the Encounters DLC and deluxe-edition extras rather than in-game microtransactions. Users generally praise the DLC as substantial and worthwhile, while one complains about the Deluxe Edition art book and soundtrack bundle, and a few feel the DLC is necessary for the base game to feel complete. There is no evidence of real-money gacha, loot boxes, battle passes, paid power, paid convenience, or a cash shop. Under the audit rules, traditional DLC/expansions and deluxe/soundtrack bundles keep the game in the fair range.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $9.99 - $19.99
  - Reasoning: The reviews suggest the base game is the recommended entry point and that full price for the base game plus DLC would be acceptable to at least some players. Sale mentions indicate discounting is valued, but they do not reject the current $9.99 base-game price. Given the positive sentiment toward the base game and willingness to pay full price for it, the community fair range likely starts at the current $9.99 and extends modestly higher to around $19.99.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 74.0h
  - Story completion: 20.0h
  - Session length: 1.5h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The 100% achievements quote explicitly reports 74 hours for full completion of all DLC-added content, so gameCompletion is set to 74. The translated Chinese review describes the DLC as adding "another 20 hours of game length," which is treated as the DLC's story/content completion estimate, so storyCompletion is set to 20. The run-length quote reports a longest pilot death at about 90 minutes, used as a rough session/run length, so sessionLength is set to 1.5 hours. The post-main-story side-quest quote supports that Encounters has endgame-style side content, but it gives no hour value, so endgame remains null. The 25-hour figure is base-game context and is not used as a DLC metric.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The clearest signal is that the game is addictive but initially confusing, and enjoyment clicks once players get the hang of its systems. Other reviews condition sustained fun on DLC, mods, and added variety, while warning that the base roguelite can become repetitive.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Getting the hang of the game's systems
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Difficulty working out what is going on at the beginning; Base game repetition from roguelite structure; Slim content for supporting many runs; Repetition without mod support
  - Unlock drivers: Roguelike progression and leveling up; More content, weapons, and characters for varied runs; New ship and gameplay mechanics that reduce repetition
  - Conditions: Getting the hang of the game's systems; Using mods or DLC to add variety; Having more content, weapons, and characters; Tolerance for roguelite repetition; Preference for RPG or story-based progression and saves
- Player Archetypes:
  - Veteran Pilot Seeking More Content (buy)
    - Motivation: To continue enjoying the base game with fresh content and extended playability.
    - Playstyle: Integrates new events, ships, and characters into familiar roguelike runs, seeking more of what they already love.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Hardcore Roguelike Challenge-Seeker (buy)
    - Motivation: To overcome challenging roguelike runs and master the game's combat mechanics.
    - Playstyle: Aggressive close-quarters combat, repeated runs to improve survival times, and embracing hardcore mode.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - DLC Ethics Skeptic (no buy)
    - Motivation: To enjoy the game while protesting against what they perceive as exploitative DLC practices.
    - Playstyle: Plays the full game but is hesitant to support additional monetization, often waiting for sales or avoiding purchase on principle.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Value-Conscious Sale-Waiter (sale)
    - Motivation: To experience the game's content while getting the best possible value for money.
    - Playstyle: Plays the base game first, then waits for sales to purchase DLC, enjoying the content without paying full price.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Excellent DLC expansion value (weight 0.83): Players overwhelmingly describe the DLC as a substantial and essential expansion. It significantly enhances the base game, adds considerable content, and provides excellent value for the price.
- Adds new quests and missions (weight 0.65): The DLC includes numerous side quests, story missions, and bounty quests that provide interesting content and rewards. These missions add depth and replayability.
- Enhances replayability and variety (weight 0.45): The additions provide more variety in each run, making the game less repetitive and more lively. Players find the game stays attractive for longer.
- Adds new NPCs with stories (weight 0.34): Five unique NPCs are introduced, each with their own questlines, dialogues, and motivations. These characters add life and narrative to the game.
- Adds substantial content (weight 0.25): The DLC adds a ton of new content, including quests, skins, a new ship, and toys, significantly augmenting the gameplay.
- New enemies add challenge (weight 0.19): The DLC introduces new enemy types, including scary ones, that add combat variety and challenge.
- Includes cosmetic ship skins (weight 0.18): Ready-made ship skins are available immediately, allowing players to customize their ships.
- Adds new characters and encounters (weight 0.14): New characters and encounters are included, each with their own quest lines, enriching the game world.
- New mechanics and items (weight 0.14): The DLC adds fun new mechanics and items that bring more life to the base game.
- Adds random NPC encounters (weight 0.13): Players can encounter random NPCs while exploring, offering quests or resources that spice up runs.
- Adds curious locations (weight 0.13): Many new curious locations are added, giving players more to discover and explore.
- Improves graphics (weight 0.12): The graphics are noted as very cool, indicating a visual enhancement.

Common complaints:
- New ship underpowered and fragile (weight 0.49): The Sentinel ship is criticized for having only one primary weapon slot, weak weapons, and being extremely fragile. It feels less useful than the gunship and lacks meaningful differentiation.
- Base game feels barren without DLC (weight 0.47): Many players report that the core game lacks sufficient content on its own, describing it as boring, repetitive, and slim without the DLC. The base game cannot support prolonged play, especially for completionists.
- New NPCs are frustrating and unhelpful (weight 0.42): Added characters are often rude, annoying, and give pointless quests. Companions order the player around without being helpful, and some betray the protagonist.
- Poor dialogue and storytelling quality (weight 0.41): Players criticize the story as forgettable, lacking depth, and poorly written. Dialogue scenes are slow, voice acting is poor, and the reasoning behind conversations is weak.
- DLC is non-refundable and hidden costs (weight 0.4): Players are frustrated that the DLC is listed as a consumable, making it non-refundable, and that it sometimes shows as not installed or missing from the store page. Many feel the DLC should have been part of the base game.
- Technical bugs and performance issues (weight 0.38): Numerous bugs are reported, including lost credits, shields not recharging, collectibles not spawning, and drones behaving erratically. Loading times have also increased after the DLC.
- New content is underwhelming (weight 0.35): The added quests, skins, lifeforms, and weapons are considered meh or pointless. The DLC does not offer a massively new way to play and feels like a marginal addition.
- Repetitive roguelite nature and grind (weight 0.23): The base game is repetitive due to its roguelite structure, requiring many runs to resolve certain things. It becomes tedious to cruise through space for side stories after completing the main story.
- No story or meaningful progression (weight 0.23): The game lacks a sweeping story, RPG progression, and game saves. Players want a more story-based progression system.
- Developer practices and editions criticized (weight 0.23): The multiple editions and business policies are seen as greedy, with comparisons to AAA publisher tactics. Supporting this may lead to more unpolished games with hidden costs.
- New weapons and equipment lack impact (weight 0.22): The Lightning gun has weak damage and modding it is less beneficial than using other weapons. New weapons and equipment do not offer a massively new way to play.
- Confusing early game and UI (weight 0.22): The beginning is difficult to understand, and the UI is archaic. Finding new NPCs and stations requires patience.
- ST shield recharge too long (weight 0.19): The ST shield has a very long recharge time, making pressure boost or energy discharger risky to use. Players resort to unequipping and re-equipping the shield instead of waiting.
- DLC installation and store page issues (weight 0.19): Players report that after buying the DLC, it shows as not installed or cannot be found on the store page. Clicking Encounters exits to Steam.
- Lack of difficulty and graphic settings (weight 0.13): The game offers no difficulty settings and no graphic settings, limiting player customization and challenge.
- DLC doesn't fix core game issues (weight 0.13): Players note that the DLC fails to address fundamental problems with the base game, adding content without improving the core experience.
- Poor NPC cutscenes and interactions (weight 0.13): Cutscenes show ships flying unnaturally close and bobbing, while dialogue plays. The base game lacks meaningful interaction with NPCs and mission givers.
- VR support is falsely advertised (weight 0.08): Despite claiming VR support, the game does not actually support VR, misleading customers.
- Game lacks co-op or multiplayer (weight 0.07): The absence of co-op or multiplayer is noted as a missing feature.
- Hacking speed stat seems useless (weight 0.07): The hacking speed stat only appears to affect breaking jump inhibitors, making it a niche and unclear benefit.

Gameplay feedback:
- DLC Adds New Ship (weight 0.88): Multiple clusters highlight that the expansion introduces new playable ships, including the Colonial Sentinel and the Sentinel. This is a core feature that expands the roster and offers new playstyles.
- New Weapons and Equipment (weight 0.79): The DLC adds a variety of new weapons, devices, and consumables to enhance combat and customization. This content is frequently mentioned as a key addition.
- Adds NPCs and Quests (weight 0.73): New NPC characters with side quests and storylines are introduced, enriching the game world and providing additional content. These NPCs spawn during runs and offer interaction.
- Side Missions and Events (weight 0.51): The expansion adds side missions, events, and errands that can be completed alongside the main story. These provide more variety and objectives during runs.
- New Ship Sentinel Details (weight 0.24): The Sentinel ship has unique mechanics, including 1 primary weapon slot and 4 modification slots, offering different armament possibilities. It is a notable addition for players seeking new gameplay styles.
- DLC for Everspace (weight 0.24): The content is an expansion called Encounters for the game Everspace, adding side stories and new features. It is clearly identified as a DLC.
- Roguelite Gameplay (weight 0.23): Everspace is a roguelite where perks improve as you die and runs are varied, with the core game remaining essentially the same.
- Space Combat and Shooter (weight 0.22): The game features space dogfights and arcade space shooter rogue-lite elements, appealing to fans of fast-paced combat.
- New Paint Jobs and Skins (weight 0.21): Cosmetic additions such as paint jobs and skins are included, offering visual customization options for ships.
- New Blueprints and Mods (weight 0.18): The DLC adds more blueprints and mods, allowing further customization and progression. This is part of the additional content provided.
- New Achievements and Content (weight 0.16): The expansion adds new achievements and general content, providing goals for players to pursue.
- Adds Variety to Runs (weight 0.14): The DLC introduces much more variety to each run through new content, making gameplay feel fresher and less repetitive.

Performance notes:
- Runs well on high-end hardware (weight 0.09): Players with high-end systems such as AMD CPUs, 16GB RAM, and GTX3090 GPUs report the game runs smoothly at max settings. Performance is stable with no significant issues.
- Excellent ultrawide support (weight 0.08): The game runs flawlessly at 3440x1440 ultrawide resolution, providing a seamless experience for users with super-wide monitors. No scaling or distortion issues were mentioned.
- Launch issue on some systems (weight 0.08): Some users experience the game exiting immediately to Steam upon launch, preventing them from playing. This bug appears to affect a subset of configurations.
- Linux and Nvidia compatibility (weight 0.08): The game works well on Linux distributions like Debian Stretch when using Nvidia GPUs such as the GTX 960. Proprietary drivers are recommended for optimal performance.

Recommendations:
- Must-buy for Everspace fans (weight 0.99): Most reviewers consider the Encounters DLC essential for anyone who enjoyed the base game, calling it a must-have that meaningfully expands the experience. Multiple clusters specifically frame it as borderline mandatory or virtually required to get the full experience.
- Buy DLC with base game (weight 0.61): A strong recurring recommendation is to purchase the DLC together with the base game in one bundle, since playing without it reportedly diminishes the overall experience. Several reviewers note there is no advantage to buying the DLC later.
- Strong overall recommendation (weight 0.56): Across many clusters, reviewers simply give a strong positive recommendation, often with enthusiasm. The DLC is widely praised as a great addition to the base game.
- Essential expansion for base owners (weight 0.38): Reviewers who already own and enjoy the base game overwhelmingly recommend the DLC as a no-brainer purchase. It is described as worthwhile for anyone looking for more content from the core experience.
- Wait for sale before buying (weight 0.32): Some reviewers advise waiting for a sale before purchasing, suggesting better value at a discounted price. Others recommend waiting until after beating the base game at least once.
- Support Rockfish and Everspace 2 (weight 0.27): One reviewer suggests buying the DLC to support the developer and encourage future Everspace titles. This is a niche reason but shows community goodwill.
- Worth the price (weight 0.24): Multiple reviewers affirm the DLC is well worth its price, with some calling it definitely worth the cost. It is seen as a solid value for the content it adds.
- Loved vanilla Everspace (weight 0.19): Reviewers who loved the original Everspace highly recommend the DLC as not to be missed. It is seen as a natural continuation for fans of the base game.
- Adds new ship and features (weight 0.18): The DLC introduces a new ship and extends playability with additional features. Reviewers note it adds meaningful content without overhauling the game with new modes.
- Get Ultimate Edition on sale (weight 0.14): A few reviewers specifically suggest picking up the Ultimate Edition, ideally during a sale, to get the most complete package. This bundles the DLC with the base game at a better value.
- Appeals to space survival fans (weight 0.13): Reviewers recommend the DLC for players who enjoy space and survival games with tactical variety. It is also suggested as a better choice over Rebel Galaxy Outlaw for those wanting a challenging roguelite.
- Enhances exploration and conquest (weight 0.13): The DLC is recommended for players looking to explore and conquer space, adding depth to the spacefaring experience. Fans appreciate the expanded gameplay opportunities.
- Mixed feelings on content (weight 0.12): A minority of reviewers note that the DLC does not dramatically improve the game and its additions are limited. It also does not address the game's repetitiveness.
- No need to wait for DLC (weight 0.07): A reviewer states there is no advantage to buying the DLC later, reinforcing that it should be acquired upfront. This supports the overall bundle recommendation.
- Play alongside main story (weight 0.07): One reviewer recommends playing the DLC while progressing through the main story for the best experience. This aligns with the idea that the DLC is best integrated into the core campaign.
- Frequent bugs and patch advice (weight 0.07): One reviewer specifically advises waiting for a patch before buying due to bugs. This is a low-frequency but concrete caution worth noting.
- Skip if new to base game (weight 0.07): A single reviewer advises against buying the DLC with the base game for first-time players. This suggests some players may want to try the core game before committing to the expansion.
- Accessible controls for some (weight 0.07): A single reviewer highlights that the DLC is recommended for players who need accessible controls and an easier difficulty. This suggests it can accommodate a range of player abilities.
- Not for impatient players (weight 0.06): One reviewer warns against buying the DLC if you lack patience, implying it requires time and tolerance for the game's pace. This is a niche caution but worth mentioning.
- Positive review for faith (weight 0.05): A single reviewer gives a positive review based on faith in the developer or series, without detailed justification. This reflects brand loyalty rather than specific gameplay feedback.

Other player notes:
- Favorable Comparisons To Other Space Games (weight 0.37): The game is compared favorably to Elite Dangerous, FTL, No Man's Sky, Freelancer, and Privateer. Combat is said to capture the Star Wars feeling better than Star Wars Squadron.
- Bundle With Base Game Encouraged (weight 0.31): The DLC is designed to be played together with the original game from the start. It is often sold in bundles containing the game and all content, and is recommended to be bought alongside the base game.
- DLC Enhances Replay Value (weight 0.27): Completing all new content extends full completion playtime and provides several hours of entertainment even for veterans. It adds plenty of content to explore, new playstyles, and achievements.
- DLC Refund Restrictions Frustrate Buyers (weight 0.24): Multiple clusters highlight that the DLC is sold as a consumable add-on, which circumvents Steam's refund policy. Reviewers explicitly note the item is not refundable, causing frustration.
- DLC Adds Ships Characters And Weapons (weight 0.23): The expansion introduces a new ship, five new NPC characters, a fourth ship, and various weapons and upgrades. It also adds new missions and powerful upgrades at a large station.
- DLC Leaves Core Problems Unfixed (weight 0.22): Several reviews state the DLC does not change the core game significantly and fails to address core game problems. It is seen as an iteration rather than a substantial overhaul.
- Good Value For The Price (weight 0.22): Reviewers consider the expansion reasonably priced, with a sensible €10 price tag compared to other games. It offers much more content for the price than older expansion packs.
- Miscellaneous Feedback And Preferences (weight 0.17): Various other comments include waiting for version 2, preferring Everspace 1 over the story-driven sequel, and noting the game is best played on a big screen. One reviewer bought Rebel Galaxy Outlaw on sale and found it fun but not challenging.
- Only Major Expansion For Everspace (weight 0.17): Encounters is described as the first major expansion and the only one for the game. A sequel, Everspace 2, already exists and delivered more than fans hoped for.
- Roguelike Comparisons And Gameplay Loop (weight 0.17): The game is considered better than other roguelikes such as The Binding of Isaac and Enter the Gungeon. It requires dozens of repeated plays and helps long days pass quickly.
- Multiple Editions And Cosmetic Pack (weight 0.16): The game has multiple editions including Ultimate, Deluxe, and an Upgrade to Deluxe Edition DLC. The Deluxe Edition includes a digital art book, an ambient soundtrack, and a cosmetic pack with skins.
- Limited Content Despite New Additions (weight 0.12): Some feedback notes the expansion is limited content-wise, adding only a few extra goodies and a few more hours of play. It is described as adding a third or half of the base game's content.
- Narrative And NPC Issues Persist (weight 0.12): The NPCs share the same cutscene and storytelling problems from the main game. The base game also lacks NPC interaction despite providing exploration and action.
- DLC In Classic Add-On Style (weight 0.11): The DLC is praised for being in the old good style where add-ons actually added or developed the game. The developer Rockfish mentioned this is their first DLC, and reviewers hope for more of the same quality.
- Base Game Ship Variety (weight 0.07): The base game offers three ships: a default ship, a heavier gunship with a turret, and a light ship that can go invisible. This variety supports different playstyles.

Emotions:
- Satisfaction (weight 0.17): The Encounters DLC adds substantial content like side missions, weapons, characters, and events that make runs more varied and the game world feel alive. It is considered well worth its price, improves the game cohesively, and provides many hours of gameplay with meaningful additions.
- Disappointment (weight 0.09): The DLC adds content that many feel should have been in the base game and doesn't address core issues like repetitive quests, archaic UI, and lack of co-op. The new ship has weak initial capabilities, and the story is forgettable.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.08): Players enjoy the new DLC ship, engaging bounty quests, realistic flight physics, and well-written characters with rich side quests. The roguelike missions and permanent upgrades add fun and replayability.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.08): The DLC meaningfully expands the game with interesting side stories, exciting characters, and substantial variety that enhances each run. New weapons, upgrades, and content rekindle enthusiasm for replaying.
- Excitement (weight 0.07): New blueprints, weapons like the Seeker Missile Battery, and the DLC ship's close-quarters combat style with EMP and lightning gun create thrilling battles. Discovering new content and mastering challenges is rewarding.
- Frustration (weight 0.06): Players are frustrated by hidden mechanics like factories not explained during combat, bugs causing lost credits and upgrades not applying, and technical issues preventing game launch. Slow dialogue and unclear DLC usage add to the frustration.
- Appreciation (weight 0.05): The DLC adds variety, unique gear, and content that deepens the main character's story, with well-done voice acting and NPC personalities. It offers accessibility features and runs flawlessly in ultrawide resolution.
- Boredom (weight 0.02): Extraplanetary lifeforms are harmless and boring to collect, and without DLC missions the game feels empty, making side stories tedious after completing the main story.
- Admiration (weight 0.02): The beautiful and diverse environments, impressive artwork, and top-notch graphics and soundtrack inspire admiration.
- Love (weight 0.02): The Colonial Sentinel ship, mix of roguelike and spaceship combat, and superiority over other roguelikes like The Binding of Isaac and Enter the Gungeon make players love the game.
- Confusion (weight 0.02): It is confusing that DLC is needed for actual content, the hacking speed stat's purpose is unclear, and technical issues like DLC showing as not installed cause confusion.
- Amusement (weight 0.02): Flying around making laser noises and experiencing interesting deaths like getting too close to a black hole event horizon provide amusement.
- Annoyance (weight 0.02): The DLC being listed as a consumable to circumvent refunds and some NPCs being really annoying cause annoyance.
- Fondness (weight 0.02): The game is pleasant, easy to pick up cheaply, and remains one of the reviewer's favorite games despite being little known.
- Disinterest (weight 0.01): Poor and uninteresting dialogue and storytelling in NPC encounters lead to disinterest.
- Mild frustration (weight 0.01): Sometimes many runs are needed before certain things resolve, causing mild frustration.
- Joy (weight 0.01): The game is wonderful and makes long days go by very fast, bringing joy.
- Anticipation (weight 0.01): Looking forward to version 2 of the game creates anticipation.
- Concern (weight 0.01): The intro and talking to all five new NPCs at the same time might be overstimulating, raising concern.
- Mild boredom (weight 0.01): The base game is somewhat repetitive due to its roguelite nature, causing mild boredom.}