In Everspace 2, players take on the role of a bold and daring pilot trying to escape a highly hazardous space area devastated by war and overrun with dangerous factions, including bandits and warlords, and cultists. The game presents a formidable challenge as players navigate through hazardous corridors, explore abandoned vessels, and engage in high-octane battles with relentless enemies, all while sitting in the cockpit of their chosen spacecraft.
Precise control and a wide range of inputs are necessary for flying a spacecraft in three dimensions, so many players prefer a HOTAS (Hand on Throttle and Stick) setup. However, while a HOTAS is suitable for strategic space simulation games like Elite: Dangerous, there may be better options for fast-paced arcade shooters like Everspace 2. It is due to frequent throttle changes and sudden movements, which can cause significant damage to the equipment over time. Nevertheless, Everspace 2 does support HOTAS input, and the subsequent instructions describe how to set it up correctly to obtain optimal performance during gameplay.
Enabling HOTAS input in Everspace 2 can significantly improve flight control and targeting precision, thanks to its many switches and buttons that can be mapped to each flight control. However, unlike many other flight games, Everspace 2 does not require an overwhelming number of inputs, and most rules can be easily handled using a controller. Despite the match having a decent number of controls, they are simple enough for a controller to manage effectively. Thus, it is possible to achieve optimal performance with either a HOTAS or a controller setup in Everspace 2.
Regarding flight controls, a HOTAS setup is superior as it enables complete control over pitch, roll, yaw, and maneuvering thrusters at all times. In contrast, a controller may require some key remapping to achieve the same level of control. Although the controller options include an Automatic Rolling setting that may be helpful, some players may still need improvement. Using a HOTAS ensures that all flight controls are readily available and easily accessed, whereas a controller may require some tweaking to optimize performance.
To use a HOTAS with Everspace 2, players need to go through a series of steps. Firstly, they must navigate to the “Input” tab in the game’s settings menu and select “Customize Controls.” From there, they can choose their HOTAS device from the preset options in the dropdown menu, but if it’s not listed, they’ll have to select Keyboard, Gamepad, or Empty and map all the keys manually. Setting the Input Method Override to Joystick is essential to maintain consistent button prompts. Next, players should check the controls in the “Other” column and identify the mapping of each switch, axis, trigger, dial, and so on, on the HOTAS, and map any missing controls.
They can also adjust all axes’ dead zone, sensitivity, and inversion as required. Finally, click Apply and save the changes. These steps are crucial for players to activate their HOTAS in Everspace 2, giving them greater control over the spacecraft’s movements and targeting accuracy.
Once the player has completed the control setup process, they should navigate to the “Input” tab of the Settings Menu and choose Joystick. Additional settings are available here to further enhance their experiences, such as Auto-Aim, Boost behavior, and Automatic Rolling. For a HOTAS setup, Automatic Rolling should be turned off, but the player can adjust the other settings according to their preferences.
The article discusses using a HOTAS in Everspace 2 and provides tips for optimizing the gaming experience. Despite the fragility of a HOTAS, it can be helpful and entertaining to use in an arcade-style space flight game.
The first tip is to adjust the sensitivity and dead zone of the Pitch and Yaw axes to ensure smooth turns without pushing the Joystick too hard. The Roll axis should have medium sensitivity and dead zone settings for smooth Rolling. Lowering the throttle resistance to its minimum setting is also recommended to allow unrestricted movement between forward and reverse. Since Everspace 2 uses a 50/50 throttle, it can be challenging to locate the zero point, and players who have trouble with this should set a higher deadline for the Thrust axis. Overall, these tips can help players make the most of their HOTAS in Everspace 2 without causing damage to the peripherals.