Fenris Creations, the studio formerly known as CCP Games' London office, is continuing the legacy of the ambitious Dust 514 with EVE Vanguard. This upcoming extraction shooter aims to blend fast-paced FPS action with the persistent narrative of EVE Online's player-driven universe. While full cross-game integration is a future goal, the current alpha playtest, Operation Avalon, demonstrates that Vanguard can stand on its own as an engaging shooter.
Immediate Action and Engaging Gameplay
Unlike some other shooters that can take a considerable amount of time to reach the core gameplay loop, EVE Vanguard drops players directly into the action. After a brief stop on a "war barge" menu for upgrades and customization, players can quickly deploy to the map. This immediacy is a key design choice, allowing players to focus on the immediate objectives of looting and combat without being bogged down by complex systems early on.
The core loop of exploring the map, engaging enemies, and extracting is inherently fun. The developers are aiming for a balance between offering players freedom to discover the map and providing enough structure to guide them toward interesting encounters. This approach allows for moments of delightful discovery, such as stumbling upon a lucrative, enemy-filled tower.
Polished Presentation and Core Mechanics
Even the default weaponry in Vanguard feels satisfying to use, boasting great sound design, impactful feedback, and well-modeled guns. While the alpha features a limited selection of weapons, including a fun shotgun and a charge-up laser sniper rifle, the fundamental shooting mechanics are solid. The game's visual design also stands out, translating the unique EVE Online sci-fi aesthetic to a human scale with grim, utilitarian industrial structures set against rugged volcanic terrain. This is complemented by bright, holographic livery, creating a visually striking environment.
Emergent Player Behavior and Future Potential
The current playtest map offers a good variety of environments and points of interest. Extraction sites function on a timer, and as the match progresses, PvE enemies spawn in greater numbers, intensifying the challenge. This culminates in frantic final moments where remaining players must race to the last extraction point, often under heavy fire from both NPCs and rival players. This late-game scenario fosters emergent player behavior, creating tense standoffs and desperate scrambles for survival that are reminiscent of other popular extraction shooters.
Game director Scott Davis emphasized that the goal for the alpha was to create a game that players would miss if it were ever canceled. He highlighted how players fondly remember the unique features of Dust 514, such as bombardments and suit fitting, rather than just its core game modes. Fenris Creations aims to imbue EVE Vanguard with similar memorable, unique elements.
Having undergone significant improvements since its previous playtests, EVE Vanguard is shaping up to be a strong contender in the crowded multiplayer shooter market. Its immediate accessibility, solid gunplay, compelling aesthetic, and the promise of deeper EVE Online integration make it a title worth watching. Players can currently wishlist the game on Steam or find more information on Fenris' official website.