Everspace 2 backers are now enjoying closed alpha access while us mere mortals will need to wait a few months. Additionally, there is a trailer that is teasing combat on the planetary surface.
Rockfish Games are introducing around 1,200 Kickstarter backers to the closed alpha which contains parts of the game that will be available to everyone in December 2020 through Steam Early Access. In case you didn't get to pledge enough to earn the closed alpha access, there are still opportunities through Friday streams .
The closed alpha has roughly 10 hours of gameplay content that includes a bit of story and free exploration as well as the first star system boss fight. There are new ship devices, ultimate abilities and the new perk system for both pilots and companions.
Coincidentally, players will be able to the level cap of 10 at most. To get there, the journey will include scripted side missions, main storyline content and various jobs. Players will have new ships, NPCs and equipment to discover in the meantime along with new locations that include planetary surfaces and cave systems.
Speaking of planetary surfaces, the new trailer showcases some of the combat that can be done with the background of a planet as opposed to the vast void of space.
Keep in mind that closed alpha, and possibly Early Access, is only available in English language while localisation for French, Italian, German, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Polish, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Japanese and Korean will be available at launch.
That said, the full version will not release for a while since it's currently scheduled for Q1 2022 release date. On the bright side, the developers cited PlayStation 4 and Xbox One as the consoles that will be getting the game so if you don't move up to the next-gen by that time, you will still be able to enjoy Everspace 2.
