EVE Vanguard is slowly becoming the sister game to Online it was meant to be

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At EVE Fanfest 2025, CCP Games unveiled plans for another playtest event for EVE Vanguard in September, with a Steam Early Access release scheduled for summer 2026. Three years since its initial reveal, players finally got the chance to try out Vanguard and see how it has evolved. Although there’s still work needed to perfect the game, the current version showcases enough functions and features that leave us eagerly anticipating future updates and events.

More shooting & more than just shooting

Following a couple years of fine-tuning gunplay through playtests, CCP London enlarged the weapon selection for the EVE Vanguard Fanfest edition. Players could test out new options in Shotgun, Marksman Rifle, and Heavy Pistol variations. Additionally, mining gameplay was offered, along with inventory collection, contracts, and field crafting features. From our brief glimpse into the game, it’s evident that CCP London has been diligently developing the framework they initially established.

Specifically, I found great pleasure using the Shotgun. Each discharge from this weapon is like a mini fireworks display of buckshot, providing a powerful and fulfilling sensation. Moreover, it possesses certain characteristics that were intriguing to decipher. For instance, the shotgun’s ammunition bounces off surfaces, allowing you to guide some of its shots around corners if your skills are sharp. Adjusting the sights also enables you to narrow the spread, making it possible to hit a target with more accuracy at greater distances. Additionally, developers CCP plan to incorporate customization options for these firearms, which I anticipate will open up exciting possibilities once this feature becomes available.

It was equally engaging to observe the mining and crafting mechanics in action within EVE Vanguard. Although these aspects weren’t entirely novel to this game, it was refreshing to see them presented neatly. From the outset, CCP had hinted that Vanguard would offer more than just a shooting experience, enabling players to assume roles like mining on-the-go. As promised, you can mine various scrap and gather minerals, materials, and wreckage for personal use.

In your journey across diverse planets and encounters with potential adversaries, you’ll discover a crucial aspect: the necessity for an advanced and customized toolkit. This toolkit will aid you in overcoming planetary perils and competitive players. In the game interface, I noticed an option for crafting ammunition, but you can also opt between kinetic or energy rounds. Furthermore, there are possibilities to manufacture precious materials that can be employed to fulfill contracts. During your exploration of each planet, besides completing primary tasks, you’ll have opportunities to engage in various types of contracts, and mining is merely one example; it will be exciting to witness how this aspect develops as well.

Shaping up for Nemesis

In September 2025, the EVE Vanguard Nemesis event will unfold, offering selected players a sneak peek into the future of this multiplayer shooter. As development progresses, it’s thrilling to observe the gradual refinement of rough edges in Vanguard. Gazing at the sky on the map and witnessing the battle debris falling from the atmosphere of a nearby space skirmish serves as a constant reminder that Vanguard is set within the universe of EVE Online. The ability to explore and traverse objects like the remnants of damaged ships, which we’ve grown accustomed to seeing over the years but now at human scale, is astonishing. If they continue to refine and expand the gunplay, crafting, contracts, and gameplay options as they have been, Vanguard is poised to attract a much broader audience beyond just EVE fans. As Vanguard continues to deliver on its promises, I eagerly anticipate seeing how it evolves in the upcoming events.

The insights I’m sharing stem from a preliminary alpha PC build of the game that was showcased by its creator. The action-packed title, EVE Vanguard, will be available on Steam Early Access in 2026, and eager players can sign up for an early playtest opportunity right now.

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2025-05-07 17:33