This sci-fi FPS is 65 times bigger than Starfield — I played it and it might be the next big thing

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In a gaming landscape flooded with blockbuster titles, every now and then a newcomer emerges that truly turns heads. Enter EVE Vanguard, a shooter set in a universe so vast it makes other space games look like cosy simulators. I spent my first hours navigating its high-stakes missions, and what struck me most was the sense of real risk and reward — something that’s all too rare these days.

diving into eve vanguard’s futuristic fps

Science fiction games have been having a moment in 2023, but few franchises can claim two decades of interstellar intrigue. EVE Online, the stalwart space MMO, is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and CCP Games has seized the occasion by unveiling EVE Vanguard, a first-person shooter plonked squarely into its sprawling universe. After waiting two months for my turn, I finally jumped into a live build—here’s why this could be the next big thing in gaming.

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I still remember the buzz at a London gaming meetup when someone quipped that EVE’s universe was a mere speck compared with Bethesda’s Starfield. They’d heard EVE’s MMORTS spans some 7,800 star systems, compared with Starfield’s roughly 120—making Vanguard’s backdrop over 65 times bigger than what many players have already lost themselves in.

a gameplay loop that breaks the mould

Unlike your usual run‑and‑gun shooter, EVE Vanguard centres on a contract system. You’re dropped onto a planet with a set of objectives—loot retrieval, hostile elimination or territory denial—and you’re free to approach the job however you like. I once opted for stealth, skirting patrols to swipe tech data, only to be caught at the extraction point by a rival squad. It was a heart‑in‑throat moment that reminded me why tension is the lifeblood of a memorable FPS.

The map design practically forces encounters, knitting together squads of human players and AI-controlled clones. When conflict erupts, the gunfights pack a punch: shields that echo Halo’s classic bubble barrier, varied ammo types and destructible cover. Yet battles are punctuated by exploration, resource gathering and community-driven objectives, all tied back to EVE’s larger narrative.

risk versus reward in every mission

Once you’ve ticked off your goals, extraction begins. Activate the beacon and brace for waves of enemies hungry for your hard‑won loot. My pal in Manchester described it as a mash‑up of looter‑shooter and battle royale, but with a distinctly sci‑fi twist. Survival hinges on savvy tactical extraction, not just trigger discipline.

Perhaps Vanguard’s most daring feature is its clone mechanics. Death doesn’t mean instant respawn—instead, you need to harvest biomass from foes to regenerate your clone. Fail to secure it, and your session ends, losing any ongoing contracts. It’s a stark reminder that every decision counts and encourages teams to plan operations with military‑style precision.

a glimpse of what’s next for eve

Though still in development, Vanguard already feels like a credible extension of EVE Online’s political intrigue and economic depth. Collecting resources on a hostile world, bolstering your faction’s footprint across star lanes or padding your wallet with in‑game credits—all these pursuits feed back into the larger MMORTS, enriching the sandbox.

According to CCP Games’ press release, the goal is to weave Vanguard’s victories into EVE’s persistent universe, creating meaningful impact across hundreds of player‑driven warfronts. If the final release captures even half of the alpha build’s promise, Vanguard could redefine what a sci‑fi shooter can be.

Whether you’re a veteran capsuleer or a newcomer craving a fresh challenge, EVE Vanguard’s blend of massive scale, strategic depth and high‑stakes combat makes it one to watch. Keep your eyes on the stars—this might just be the next big title on your radar.