Four new star systems open up, with new weapons, puzzles, Okkar equipment, and more. You can also pilot the new Wraith Okkar fighter (which unleashes special abilities after destroying enemy ships), and take on fresh enemies and bosses. New side quests centered on the Okkar also open up during the campaign, but the meat of the expansion’s story occurs afterwards.

If all this isn’t enough, Rockfish Games also promises new music tracks for every aspect, including combat. More details will be revealed about Wrath of the Ancients in the coming months, so stay tuned. You can also learn more about the sequel’s shift to Unreal Engine 5 here.

Everspace 2 is available for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Check out our review.

It won’t add Nanite or Lumen since current solutions offer better optimization. However, Unreal Engine 5 will allow the developer to future-proof its game, ensuring “less difficulty bringing updates and expansion content down the road” while supporting Everspace 2 “for a long time.”

Of course, it’s not an easy process – the shift has resulted in missing sounds, shifting quest markers, flickering lights being too bright, absent EMP missile trails and much more. It’s not to highlight the UE5’s issues but rather the work required to ensure a smooth rollout for the update.

The development team is quashing bugs, so stay tuned for more details when the update rolls out. Everspace 2 is available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC. Check out our review, where we awarded it a 9 out of 10 for its combat, controls and story.

As part of the new update, there is now a host of new gear for players to hunt down. Among other things, the update brings 10 new item sets, 2 new companion perks, 4 new ship perks for each class, 4 new catalysts for crafting, and 15 new Tier 4 wing modules to Everspace 2. For a complete list of additions and changes, check out the patch notes below.

With the Armed and Dangerous and the console release of Everspace 2 out of the way, Rockfish Games is now setting its sight on its next major update for the game, which is slated for release some time in Spring 2024. The update, titled Incursions, will bring with it new legendaries, front and engine ship modules, and a revamp to the game’s end-game content.

Meanwhile, Rockfish Games has also announced that Everspace 2 has sold over 400,00 copies on all platformers, and attracted over 1.1 million players on Game Pass alone.

Everspace 2 is out now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. For more details, check out our review.

Features

• Added 10 new item sets (34 new items total)
• Added 45 new item bonus attributes
• Added 4 new catalysts
• Added new consumable: Combat Drone
• Added 4 new passives to each ship class, for a total of 36 new ship passives
• Added new Tier 4 wing modules
• Added “Randomize” function for ship colors and ship modules customization
• Added Quickload/Quicksave
• Added a special timed autosave within a location that is also written when collectibles are unlocked (not written during fights/missions – will be delayed)
• Added new Khala perk that reveals any remaining secrets in a location if most of the area’s secrets have already been discovered
• Added new Tareen perk that enables selling resources from the crafting inventory
• Added re-rolling of bonus attributes modify action
• [PC Only]Added “Hold To Enable” and “Hold To Disable” Inertia Dampeners control mode

Tweaks

• 21:9 aspect ratio HUD improvements
• Made sure that players coming from the demo retroactively get the “A New Home” achievement at a later point
• Increased average number of NPCs present during “Volatile Goods” jobs
• Renamed “Executioner” Scatter Gun to “Enforcer”
• Vindicator drones off-screen hud marker only show when in combat
• Castiel’s Protection legendary shield: improved the holograms’ ability to distract enemies
• Added option to switch off Elek’s “Fire Support” perk
• Ammo of secondary weapons is now filled up when starting an Ancient Rift
• The 5-cube secret in “Kheimon” has been given clearer clues and confusing symbols have been removed
• The Eclipse set buff will no longer reset its duration when switching weapons
• Integrated community suggestions for translation improvements from Crowdin
• The selected inventory sort mode will no longer reset when entering a new location
• Increased maximum item shop inventory size
• A 60 FPS frame rate limit now applies in the main menu, when paused or docked
• Balancing: Increased Scatter Gun base damage but reduced charge damage bonus
• Balancing: Increased Sentinel ULT “Static Overload” damage
• Balancing: Increased Vanguard Expertise base bonus but reduced scaling limit
• Balancing: Added more variance to individual Booster stats
• Balancing: Slightly increased Synchro Pulse energy consumption
• Balancing: Reduced Jaeger fire rate and range but increased base damage
• UI: Added icon marker for set items
• UI: Ship customization – More information about the number of unlocked modules
• UI: Ship dealer – Added additional price tag for trade-in, price colorization, and other improvements to the purchase process
• UI: Loot container – All looted items are now shown in the on-screen log
• UI: New HUD XP-bar appearance when max level is reached
• UI: Restricted item modification and changing map modes during a rift
• UI: Added missing (intro-) SFX playback on some menu screens and -pages
• UI: Improved item handling within loot container to avoid some previously available exploits

Bugfixes

• Fixed that all shields had a 5s recharge delay
• Fixed Redeemer Drone not shooting
• Fixed that remote controlling a drone did not correctly restore visibility of health/equipment HUD in 1st person mode if “hide HUD in 1st person mode” was enabled
• Fixed that transfer of needed item during “need repairs” type distress call was still possible while ship was exploding
• Fixed that sometimes a ship could not be bought despite having sufficient credits
• Fixed Outlaw Teleport Drone not firing missiles from a distance
• Fixed that menu options that open a context window for selection could be changed with “navigate left” and “navigate right” actions, but without effect
• Fixed Bomber not receiving the energy equivalent on secondary ammo refund
• Fixed Energy Orbs not providing weapon energy
• Fixed that Vanguard “device cooldown reduction for support devices” perk also reduced device duration
• Fixed that custom resolution scaling only worked right after changing the setting, not after changing locations or loading a game
• Fixed “Excessive Force” perk not re-initializing correctly after undocking
• Fixed that damage done by Gunship turret and sticky turrets did not count as player-instigated damage
• Fixed some buffs and debuffs not resetting correctly
• Fixed that the “Symphony of Destruction” perk would trigger when killing creatures
• Fixed a keybinding conflict regarding Spatial Bypass target location on map when having “OK” bound to “Space Bar”
• Fixed that changing nothing but joystick deadzone(s) in keybinding screen did not lead to changes being recognized and applied
• Fixed that HUD markers of single emitters for “trap” encounters were not immediately visible when too far away
• Fixed “Close Call” perk not regenerating when docking
• Fixed Time Extender not resetting correctly when leaving location while it’s activated
• Fixed ammo exceeding max ammo after replacing high-capacity catalyst on secondaries
• Fixed device cooldown reductions not being correctly displayed in HUD
• Fixed that plasma harvester states were not saved
• Fixed potential controller stick drift in supralight/photo mode
• Fixed that no standing/credits were deducted from “Ramen Delivery” jobs if drone was destroyed during 2nd or 3rd delivery
• [Windows] Fixed mouse wheel scrolling problems in Missions screen
• [Xbox|PS5] Fixed that on very first start the spoken language was not set to German when [Xbox|PS5]’s language is set to German
• [Steam] Fixed that language was not automatically set to Steam’s language on very first start after install
• [Steam] Fixed that game freezes when selling too many items at once
• UI: Fixed multiple issues when scrolling through savegame selection (mostly gamepad related)
• UI: Fixed HUD loot log when more than 10 items were looted at once
• UI: Ship customization – Fixed multiple smaller issues and inconsistencies regarding navigation and selection of menu entries
• UI: Fixed secondary item icons being displayed smaller than others in HUD log
• UI: Fixed multiple issues with buttons shown in footer of a different in-game menu tab
• UI: Fixed scrolling of item stat cards within a loot container
• UI: Fixed Data sub tab fade-in animation getting stuck in some cases
• UI: Fixed item log showing the available stack amount of crafting resources from shops instead of the purchased amount
• UI: Fixed multiple issues regarding the amount selection widget, some of which could ultimately lead to invalid item states

The studio has also released a new trailer for Everspace 2, showing off the accolades recieved by the game for its console launch. Check out the new trailer below, which gives us a look at some gameplay while highlighting the critical reception of Everspace 2.

Everspace 2 was released on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S back in August—just 4 months after the game’s original 1.0 release on PC back in April. The console release of Everspace 2 got the same updates that the PC version has seen since its release.

The game changes up the formula from its predecessor quite a bit. A major way the game differentiates itself from the original Everspace is by changing the entire structure of the game; rather than being a roguelike game, Everspace 2 instead focuses on having a large-scale open-world setting with a bigger emphasis on RPG mechanics, systems, and storytelling.

A new update has also been released for Everspace 2. Dubbed Armed and Dangerous, it brings new loot, perks, bug fixes, and more. Read more about it through here.

For more details, check out our review of Everspace 2.

The Armed and Dangerous update brings with it a host of new content to the game, including 10 new set items with 34 new item variants, 4 new catalysts, 40 new item attributes, the ability to reroll item attributes, a new Khala perk, and a new Tareen perk.

The update also brings with it new ship customisation options, including 15 new tier 4 wings, new ship colour randomisers, and a new ship module randomiser. The new content will be joined by a host of new quality of life improvements, like quicksaves and quickloads, Inertia Dampener customisation, and UI improvements.

Originally launched on PC, Everspace 2 made its way on to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S back in August. The game improves on its predecessor in a number of ways, eschewing the original’s roguelike structure to instead focus on a narrative with a large-scale open-world setting.

For more details, check out our review of Everspace 2.

Everspace 2 changes up the formula established by its predecessor in a number of key ways, primarily by eschewing the first game’s roguelike structure in favour of a large-scale open world setting, in addition to also placing an added emphasis on RPG mechanics and systems.

In our review of the game’s PC version, we awarded it a score of 9/10, saying, “Everspace 2 is an excellent game filled to the brim with content. Regardless of your genre of choice, Everspace 2 will definitely have something for you, from a fun, lengthy story, to intense space combat, to an endgame fueled by the hunt for better loot.” Read the full review through here.

Everspace 2 is available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. On Xbox, it is also available via Game Pass. Head on over here to read about how a Game Pass launched helped the game’s development.

Speaking to Xbox Wire, studio CEO Michael Schade revealed that the previous game’s success and partnering with ID@Xbox allowed more time and resources. In fact, the team could add another year to development due to its deal with Xbox.

“Ironically, not only is it good for Xbox and PC users, but it’s also good for players on other platforms: everyone gets a better game because of Xbox Game Pass. The extra funding helps us stay independent, and we can deliver the game when we think it’s ready – and it is,” Schade said.

Everspace 2 sold 300,000 units on PC within its first month. Check out our official review here. While updated sales numbers aren’t available, Rockfish is working on a paid expansion adding Leviathan and Dreadnought as new endgame activities. It’s planned to release in the second half of 2024, so stay tuned for more updates.

The trailer gives us a good look at the gameplay of Everspace 2, which revolves around exploring star systems and taking part in fast-paced space combat. It also shows off some of the other aspects of the game, including powerful weapons and the ability to customise your ship.

Everspace 2 was originally released on PC back in April. The game saw quite a bit of success, selling over 300,000 copies shortly after release. Prior to its full release, Everspace 2 spent over two years as an Early Access game on Steam.

The game is slated to get quite a bit of content down the line. The studio has revealed that a paid expansion, slated for the second half of 2024, will feature the Leviathan and Dreadnought as endgame activities.

A free update is also slated for release later this year that will bring more content to Everspace 2. For more details on the game, check out our review of the original PC release here.

Everspace 2 was released on PC after having spent two years as an Early Access title. The game launched with several star systems, spaceships, quests, and story missions, many of which were available before its 1.0 release. While it is currently only available on PC, the game is also slated to come to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S this summer.

The space-based action game is also slated to see a free content update released in the second half of the year, as well as a major expansion slated for launch in 2024. For more details about Everspace 2, check out our review. If you’re already enjoying your time with the game, check out our guides on the best hero and companion perks, or all challenges and how you can complete them.

Of course, each has different requirements. Wthout further ado, let’s take a closer look at how to easily complete them all.

How to Complete All Challenges

Amateur Tinkerer

Objectives:

• Dismantle 20 Common items.
• Craft an Energy Core.
• Upgrade a weapon.

If the “amateur” part of the name wasn’t a dead giveaway, this challenge is easy to complete. As it should be since it teaches you about the basics of crafting, like dismantling and how to upgrade a weapon to make it stronger. To unlock crafting, a cargo unit must be attached to your ship. You can get one from a trading outpost or by finding one in the wild. Dismantling items is required for earning crafting XP, which unlocks more blueprints.

Completing these objectives nets 3,000 Credits and an XP bonus.

Master Objective

• Unlock all Common module blueprints.

Modules provide passive benefits to your ship, though in many cases, they’re required to run a ship. An Energy Core, for instance, is used to recharge your Primary Weapons, shields and boost. The other Modules include Shields, Platings, Sensors, Boosters and Cargo Units. You’ll unlock blueprints for these as you dismantle items and gain XP.

Completing this objective grants the Hunyadi Royalty color for your engine and 20 Power Couplings for crafting.

Outlaw Hunt 1

Objectives

• Hit five Outlaw Scouts with an EMP and then kill them.
• Destroy 10 Outlaw Drones using missiles.
• Destroy three Outlaw Webbers without getting webbed.

The Outlaws are the first major enemy type encountered in Everspace 2. They take the player hostage and show up when you’re trying to get Dax’s base online. Again, the objectives of this challenge are straightforward. Ensure you’re within range of the Outlaw Scouts when triggering an EMP, or it won’t hit them.

Completing these objectives will net 3,000 Credits and an XP bonus, along with unlocking Outlaw Hunt 2 objectives.

Master Objective

As you travel the universe, you’ll receive Distress Calls and Unknown Signals. These are essentially random events and tasks that pop up. The latter is very rewarding since you can obtain loot and resources. To complete this Master Objective, you must receive an Unknown Signal to destroy an Outlaw Base without suffering hull damage. Note the word ‘hull.’ If your shields are the only thing affected, this challenge still counts as completed.

When tackling an Outlaw Base, target the turrets first, preferably from long-range with missiles to suffer less damage. Go after the structures and the potential core. An Elite Outlaw will then arrive to seek revenge – defeat it for some extra Renown.

Completing this provides the Cinnabar color for your engine and a 10 percent discount on equipment items sold at the Flying Dutchess.

Outlaw Hunt 2

Objectives

• Take down an Outlaw Anti-Missile Drone with missiles.
• When fighting a Bloodscar Overseer, destroy its armor plates.
• Using its own mines, destroy an Outlaw Demolisher.
• Without destroying its drones, destroy an Outlaw Drone Carrier.

Each of these objectives tests a variety of things. Using missiles to destroy an Outlaw Anti-Missile Drone is easy enough – hit it with an EMP beforehand and then unleash missile hell. For the Bloodscar Overseer, Armorbreaker Missiles will get the job done.

An Outlaw Demolisher’s mines can be turned against it with the Bomber – fly over the mines to convert them to your side. Finally, the Scout with a railgun can take down an Outlaw Drone Carrier from a safe distance without dealing with its drones.

Completing these objectives awards 8,000 Credits and an XP bonus.

Master Objective

From 3,000 meters minimum, slay an Outlaw Sniper Drone. Once again, the Scout and a railgun will accomplish this, dealing enough damage to outright one-shot it. Activate Shadow Strike to guarantee the kill.

This objective awards the Blush color for your engine while increasing the chance of Outlaw Ravagers dropping items of higher rarities.

Advanced Combat

• Use a Flak Cannon to destroy a missile.
• Afflict an enemy with three or more debuffs and then destroy it.
• In five seconds, kill five enemies.
• Destroy two drones with one mine.

To destroy a missile with a Flak Cannon, you can use the Vanguard ship and activate Time Extender. It slows time around the ship, making it much easier to intercept the missile before it hits. Taking out two drones with one mine is a little trickier, but possible with the Bomber. Not because it’s more accurate, but the reduced lock-on time and using energy for Secondary Weapons instead of ammo lets you spam them quickly.

The Bomber is also good at killing an enemy with three or more debuffs. Equip Web Missiles, EMP Missiles and Corrosion Missiles, hit them with one of each and use a Primary Weapon to destroy them (if the missiles themselves don’t accomplish that).

Finally, you have a range of options for killing five enemies in five seconds, but this objective is tailor-made for the Striker. Use Quantum Tether to connect up to five enemies to a single target and then deal damage at close range (since it gains up to 30 percent more damage for each ship within 500 meters). The damage will hit all targets caught in the Tether and easily slay them.

Completing all these objectives awards 15,000 Credits and an XP bonus.

Master Objective

From at least 4,000 meters, destroy an enemy. You know the drill – use the Scout and a railgun, activate Shadow Strike, and annihilate them in one fell swoop.

Completing this objective grants the Erin engine color. Also, when you’ve entered a new location, you gain 50 percent more damage for 20 seconds.

Ceto Explorer

Objectives

• Travel to all of the system’s regions.
• Complete 10 Location Challenges.
• Answer three Distress Calls and fulfill their requests.

This is the first of four exploration-based challenges you’ll need to complete. Going to each of the seven regions in the system is easy enough, especially if completing the Location Challenges. So is answering Distress Calls, though they’ll pop up randomly.

It’s the Location Challenges that will take a bit of time. They are as follows:

• Mining Remnants – Located in the Home Turf region, there’s a hidden stash here that you need to find.
• Outlaw Frontier – Located in the G&B Mining Fields and home to Outlaws. Kill them all to complete this.
• Abandoned Facility – In the G&B Mining Fields, there’s an abandoned station with mines. Locate the hidden stash here to complete this challenge.
• Grady and Brunt Refinery – This a mining station on an asteroid – you’ll recognize it by the smaller asteroids nearby. Its challenge requires breaking a hardened ore patch.
• Deserted Mining Station – Located in the G&B Mining Fields, specifically on an abandoned mining station on an asteroid, you must trigger the rigged asteroid to complete the challenge.
• Outlaw Outpost – Found in the Deep Fields region, you must slay the Outlaw leader in the outpost here.
• Abandoned Military Outpost – In the Hinterlands region is a large asteroid with an abandoned outpost. Some Outlaws have made their home here – it’s your job to evict them, physically and mortally. Kill all the Outlaws to complete this challenge.
• Asteroid Cluster – Also found in the Hinterlands, several Hydra Anemones must be killed here to fulfill this challenge.
• Destroyed Mining Station – Another abandoned mining station, this time in the Shattered Planetoid region, that requires breaking an ore patch.
• Abandoned Structure – In the Hinterlands, you’ll find an asteroid, some wreckage and a green cloud. There are three containers cloaked here – find them all to complete the challenge.
• Station Debris – In the Home Turf region, you’ll encounter an asteroid cluster with derelict structures. Some Outlaws set up defenses here, but your main objective is to find the hidden stash.

There are puzzles and likely other Location Challenges to discover, but you only need to complete 10 for this objective.

After completing all these objectives, you’ll receive 3,000 Credits and an XP bonus.

Master Objective

This objective is a little weird – you must get close to Ceto’s sun. Like, really close. If you want to fly through it as well, that’s fine. Completing this awards the Tea Leaf color for your engine and the ability to fast-forward time in the system if boosting with the auto-pilot on.

Union Explorer

Objectives:

• Visit all the regions.
• Finish five Location Challenges.
• Answer and complete three Distress Calls.
• Finish three High-Risk Areas.

As with Ceto, you must visit all the regions of Union. There are five to explore by flying around or completing the Location Challenges. The Distress Calls are random, and you can learn more about High-Risk Areas below under the Daredevil Challenge section.

Here are all the Location Challenges in Union. Remember, you only need to finish five of them:

• Abandoned Transit Point – Located in the Zharkov Border region, it’s a pinkish area with some asteroids and a Flying Dutchess beacon. Your job is to locate and repair five buoys.
• Station Wreck – In the Ceto Supply Route is wreckage and a large asteroid. Locate the hidden stash to complete this challenge.
• Warship Remains – Found in the EMP Fields, inside the remains of a massive Colonial Warship. You’ll need to find the black box hidden here.
• Cracked Asteroids – Also located in the EMP Fields, orbiting the planet Volta, is this asteroid with a ring of smaller asteroids around it. The asteroid has a large crack, making it easier to spot. The challenge is to find six ore veins and manually detonate them.
• Torn Station – Another challenge in the EMP Fields involves finding a hidden treasure. You’ll find it near several asteroids with a destroyed station where Outlaws have set up a base.
• Asteroid Cluster – Found in Smuggler’s Wheel, you must look for several large asteroids and Outlaw bases clustered together (hence the name). Take out the leader to complete this challenge.
• Freelancer Outpost – In the Ceto Supply Route is an independent station, surprisingly not destroyed. You must locate and repair six gas leaks to complete the challenge here.

Your reward for completing these is 5,000 Credits and an XP bonus.

Master Objective

You know the drill – fly close to the sun in Union, or through it if you’re feeling particularly destructive. Do that, and you gain the Fluorescent Algae color for your engine, and the ability to fast-forward time while boosting through Union with the auto-pilot on.

Zharkov Explorer

Objectives:

• Travel to all regions.
• Complete three Location Challenges.
• Answer and complete two Distress Calls.
• Finish two High-Risk Areas.

There are only three regions in Zharkov, so travelling to all of them should be easy. As usual, check the “Daredevil” Challenge section for details on High-Risk Areas and fly around to find two Distress Calls.

Check out all the available Location Challenges below:

• Ancient Depot – Ancient Depots are located throughout the star map and have Glyphs and Ancient Maps to collect. They’re randomly generated, and will never spawn in the same location twice. You’ll also need to defeat an Ancient Warden to collect the Glyph and complete this challenge.
• Ogni Mining Fields – Located in the Dust Rim region, you must blow up a rigged asteroid. Since this location has several asteroids (along with some G&B structures), it can be tough to locate.
• Union Border Control – Also located in Dust Rim, you’ll have no trouble finding it since this is where the Jump Gate to Union is. Your challenge is to inspect six cargo drones.

Completing all these objectives grants 3,000 Credits and an XP bonus.

Master Objective

Once again, get very close – or fly through – Zharkov’s sun to complete this Master Objective. Your rewards are the Electric Buzz color for your engine and fast-forwarding time when boosting through Zharkov on auto-pilot.

Khait Nebula Explorer

Objectives

• Visit the Nebula’s four regions.
• Finish two High-Risk Areas.
• Finish four Location Challenges.

Once again, fly through all the regions in the Khait Nebula to complete the objective, see below for details on High-Risk Areas. Check out all the Location Challenges below:

• Khosh Orbit – Located in the Athorian Reef region, its criteria are unknown, so explore around and beware of the shadow creatures.
• Ancient Citadel – In The Naught Side is a massive Ancient structure above some asteroids. Your task is to “investigate the ancient secret,” which likely involves defeating the Ancient Warden and acquiring another Glyph and Ancient Map.
• Bri Bioplant – Also in The Naught Side region, you need to investigate the three biomes – Jelly, Hydra and Crawler – that are part of the research station. Each requires piloting a drone to access them.
• The Ascension – Found in The Naught Side, you must investigate the ancient secret here. The Ancient Structure is located in the centre, surrounded by several other asteroids with their pillars (which isn’t foreboding at all).

Upon completing all these objectives, you gain 12,000 Credits and an XP bonus.

Master Objective

As before, you must get close to or fly through Khait Nebula’s sun. Completing this awards the ability to fast-forward time when boosting through the system with auto-pilot active and the Clear Summer engine color.

Drake Explorer

Objectives

• Visit all three regions in the system.
• Complete six Location Challenges.
• Complete two High-Risk Areas.

There are three regions in Drake – Alpha Draco Claim, Gilbert Range and Terra Nova. Again, you can fly around to visit them, but beware since this is one of the most challenging systems. Information on the Location Challenges is also a bit sparse, so here’s what we know:

• Gilbert Shelf – Located in the Gilbert Range region, the challenge requires repairing three Submarine Wrecks.
• Galiano Gate – Located in the Terra Nova region, there are some secure containers, a bulletproof container and a valuable shipwreck.
• Drake Research Station – Found in the Alpha Draco region, completing the challenge allows access to a secure container at the station’s center, so complete any puzzles to get inside.

Completing all the objectives nets 17,000 Credits and an XP bonus.

Master Objective

Travel close to Drake’s sun to complete this. You receive the Ruddy Sky engine color and the ability to fast-forward time when boosting through the system with auto-pilot on.

Daredevil

Objectives

These four objectives ask for different ways to complete a High-Risk Area. You must complete a High-Risk Area without using your Primary Weapon, Ship Device or Ultimate, receiving hull damage, or having a shield/armor.

High-Risk Areas are procedurally generated areas with modifiers that increase their difficulty. You first need a Signal Decoder, which must be for that system (so a Signal Decoder found in Ceto doesn’t work in Drake). They’re found in secret stashes (guaranteed) and have a chance to drop from Outlaw bases or destroy capital ships and Elite foes. You can also purchase random Signal Decoders at Prescott Starbase’s Black Market Dealer.

Depending on the rarity of a Signal Decoder, you’ll receive different modifiers which can increase or decrease the loot quality. It’s worth noting that the Decoder won’t activate if you’re more than three levels over its requirement and have less than four areas revealed in the system.

As for completing the objectives, the first – finish a High-Risk Area without firing your Primary Weapon – can be done by relying on Secondary Weapons. The Bomber and even the Vindicator are useful in this endeavor since they rely on Secondary Weapons and drones. Completing a High-Risk Area without a Device or Ultimate isn’t too difficult, especially if you’re skilled with your ship of choice.

Completing said area without taking hull damage can be easy if you have a ship with excess shields (like the Vanguard). Likewise, you can clear a High-Risk Area without shields or armor by relying on ships with lots of hull health and regen. The Bomber and Vindicator are both good in this regard, though you can also rely on the Striker thanks to its mobility or the Scout due to its stealth and high-damage output.

Completing these objectives awards a whopping 20,000 Credits and an XP bonus.

Master Objective

Time to put those skills to the test and clear a High-Risk Area in less than six minutes. Perhaps the best way to do this is to have modifiers like G&B Allies and Wealthy Foes. They result in decreased loot quality, but the former offers allies while the latter grants lots of Credits for slaying enemies. More importantly, they won’t significantly increase the difficulty like other modifiers. Your reward for completing this is the Chartreuse engine color.

Khione Explorer

It’s worth noting that there’s a sixth system, Khione, recently added with the 1.0 release. Its challenges are still relatively unknown, but it offers two regions – the Ice Fields and Vapor Cloud – with objectives like securing containers, salvaging shipwrecks, discovering Sealed Ancient Structures, and finding cloaked containers. Here are some of the Location Challenges:

• Khione Barrier – Found in the Ice Fields region, use Ancient Lenses and Runes on the Ancient Structure to open it and complete the challenge.
• Zethes Research Station – Also found in the Ice Fields region. A secure container at the top of the station requires completing the challenge to access it, so explore around for other objectives.
• Outer Flare Zone – It’s Located in the Vapor Cloud region. First, fix the beacon and then follow its trail to each secret. You’ll eventually receive the Power Core to open the secure container.

Everspace 2 is available for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC. Check out our official review and head here for more tips and tricks.