POST EARLY ACCESS UPDATE
Everything from the original review still stands, but since it's time in early access they've solved a lot of balance issues and differentiated the ships quite a bit more. I really enjoy the Gunship, but with the new Encounters DLC I've been playing a lot of Sentinal.

To anyone who thinks/worries the base game is too barebones: It's not, I put 35 hours (Note, my recorded time is about 30 hours over because apparently the crash dialog still counted) into it during early access and release. Think of the Encounters DLC like the CIV DLC, the games are just fine without them, but they're made quite a bit more interesting with.


Original Review:
At it's core it's an arena shooter, but it combines enough of good meta elements of modern rogue-lites: (Mostly) meaningful persistent progression, simple crafting, and varied ways of fighting. The progression feels like Rogue Legacy, the gameplay (certainly the level progression) is remincent of FTL, and the combat while currently a bit limited feels a lot like Delver and co.

However, while it's largely formulaic, it's a great feeling formula that doesn't disappoint.

There's been a drought of quality space sims ever since Freespace. This isn't a sim does scratch the space itch masterfully. Recent attempts like Strike Suit Zero and SOL: Exodus don't even get points on the board compared to Everspace.

Note: Dispite people saying how it's better than No Man's Sky it's a completely differeny everything. I admit it does feel better. Don't pick this up expecting an experience remotely like what we all wanted from No Man's Sky, but do pick it up because space shooters are awesome.