EVE Online

67%
Game Brain Score Based on 10,187 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
EVE Online Game Cover
A compelling virtual world that stands the test of time with an incredible 15-year history.
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EVE Online is a player-driven spaceship MMO where your choices shape the universe. Experience large-scale warfare, exploration, piracy, crafting, trading, and a thriving player economy in a vast, persistent online world. Collaborate with others to build and fight for your own empire in a sandbox where consequences are real and lasting.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Cloud
  • Linux
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

67%
Audience ScoreBased on 10,187 reviews
story84 positive mentions
grinding272 negative mentions
  • story836 mentions

    The story aspect of EVE Online is largely player-driven, with many players expressing that the game lacks a compelling narrative or cohesive quest lines, often resulting in repetitive and grindy missions. While some players appreciate the freedom to create their own stories and engage in various activities like mining, trading, and PvP, many find the missions dull and uninspired, lacking depth and meaningful rewards. Overall, the game offers a sandbox experience where players can shape their own narratives, but the structured missions often feel tedious and disconnected from a larger storyline.

    • “Great game, great story built 100% by players, epic tale of friendship, hate, and betrayal, and all of it happens in between the players somewhere in a huge alien galaxy.”
    • “The story is entirely player-driven, and you can interfere with developer-driven events if you so choose - for example, the leader of one of the NPC empires was chosen by a player tournament, and at the ceremony, other players were noted for their support/opposition of the proceedings, and all of this is now official lore.”
    • “Eve online is one of those games that if you love it or hate it you will have a story to go with it.”
    • “The missions/quests have very little depth and only about a dozen scripts, so no real lore or story to help compel you forward.”
    • “Most missions tend toward repetitiveness; PvE is not Eve's strength.”
    • “There's very little story, other than the stock 'MMO' story, and you'll mostly aimlessly float around, in your tiny part of the galaxy, talking to people while you mine for 6 hours, then skirmish with NPCs, die from players, and move packages from one base to the other.”
  • gameplay726 mentions

    The gameplay of Eve Online is characterized by its complexity and depth, offering a unique sandbox experience that rewards strategic thinking and player-driven interactions. However, many players find the learning curve steep and the mechanics convoluted, leading to frustration, especially for newcomers. Additionally, the presence of pay-to-win elements and a toxic community detracts from the overall enjoyment, making it a game that requires significant time investment and patience to fully appreciate.

    • “With endless gameplay options, a dynamic player economy, and a strong sense of community, it's a game that rewards dedication and strategy.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics allow the game to be 100% in your hands and under your control; you are the pilot after all!”
    • “Eve online presents a unique and meaningful form of sandbox gameplay in a richly filled out universe with its own player-made history and events.”
    • “I honestly can't even review the actual gameplay as of now, because I got locked out of playing due to the need to upgrade to the subscription.”
    • “And the bad news: the core gameplay is dreadfully boring.”
    • “Waiting and staring at your screen is this game’s core mechanic.”
  • graphics367 mentions

    The graphics in the game have received significant praise for their stunning visuals and continuous updates, making them comparable to modern titles despite the game's age. Players appreciate the unique art style, detailed ship models, and immersive space environments, although some have noted that performance can suffer during large fleet battles. Overall, the visuals are considered a major highlight, contributing to the game's appeal and community engagement.

    • “The game has seen great improvements over the years, particularly the graphics which look as good as any game in 2023, let alone one that came out 20 years ago.”
    • “The graphics in EVE have always been outstanding - great shading and dynamic effects.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, it's well optimized that even a relatively low-end computer can play it, the ships are very uniquely designed and sleek, the weapon effects look very futuristic as it should, and the in-game economy is well designed.”
    • “It's had a few graphics upgrades but still many of the ship textures and space backgrounds are super pixelated.”
    • “Players will turn down graphics to minimum and sound off and still end up getting 5-10 fps.”
    • “The graphics are really crap unless you zoom right up to shit.. and you'll never end up doing that because everything you kill is far far away.”
  • grinding288 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and time-consuming, often leading to a monotonous experience that can detract from enjoyment. While some players appreciate the depth and strategy involved in grinding for resources and skills, many find it overwhelming, especially for newcomers, and feel that the game has become increasingly grindy and less rewarding over time. The reliance on real-time skill training and the potential for loss during gameplay further exacerbate the frustration associated with grinding.

    • “The game offers a completely player-driven economy, the largest PvP battles of any MMOs by far going into four digits, exploration I can't accurately describe because I thought KSP was a large map, very in-depth ship modification, a very enticing story, a beautiful soundtrack, and a leveling system with no grinding.”
    • “Unlike other MMORPGs, skilling is based on real-time and not grinding, so all players advance as time goes on.”
    • “They do your 'training' or 'leveling up' system differently; it is based on actual time passing, not grinding.”
    • “It's incredibly grindy, has an absolutely immense learning curve, and is not new player friendly to the slightest degree.”
    • “It feels like endless grinding for something that can be lost in a matter of minutes -- and I'm not against that necessarily, but the grinding isn't particularly fun, either.”
    • “We all had said our goodbyes to ship-spinning, staring at our screens, waiting in discord for anything to happen, mind-numbing mission grinding, and mobile-game levels of predatory monetization.”
  • music114 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, often described as soothing and relaxing, making it a perfect backdrop for gameplay activities like mining and exploration. Many players appreciate the soundtrack's ability to enhance the overall experience, although some note that it can become repetitive over extended play sessions. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature that complements the game's stunning visuals and vastness.

    • “Fantastic soundtrack that makes me feel lonely and content all the same time.”
    • “The game's soundtrack is the most soothing, relaxing music I've heard in a game before.”
    • “The graphics and overall atmosphere in this game are amazing and will stay that way, CCP continues to update this game over the years visually so that every time you log in and undock into space you just stare with amazement at the beautiful wonder of space and on top of it all the musical score is wonderful and beautifully written.”
    • “As for negatives, there are some classic dropkicks trying to scam in market hubs, dirtbags sitting on gates or going after defenseless miners and some periods of gameplay where the soothing music and sound of mining will put you to sleep better than ASMR videos.”
    • “I really wanted a fun space game and this game seems to have everything I wanted...combat, exploring, mining, building/producing items, customization of ships but it's all so hollow and mundane there is no sound really other than music... combat is click to target, orbit around target, now hit the auto fire...there's no dog fighting, there's no skill input at all...whomever has the best ship/weapons wins...plus no combat sounds make it even worse.”
    • “The music in EVE passes the time well but bring your own music because even good music gets boring after your 15th material haul.”
  • monetization72 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, with players labeling it as opportunistic and predatory, primarily due to aggressive microtransactions and features that create a pay-to-win environment. Many feel that the focus has shifted from enhancing gameplay to maximizing profits, leading to a decline in player experience and engagement. Overall, the community expresses a strong desire for a return to more balanced, cosmetic-only monetization practices.

    • “Personally, I believe it could be a monetization middle-ground, make a voucher that is good for a market transaction for the correct ship or something.”
    • “Eve has taken that under consideration and employed skill injectors for in-game purchases.”
    • “It has since adopted changes to its business model, including cosmetic item monetization and features like the skill point injectors and clone states that give players in-game advantages in exchange for money.”
    • “While the game offers an enormous, player-driven universe that I find myself returning to every couple of years, it's also drawn ire for some poor business decisions, including microtransactions that have upset the balance for some players.”
    • “CCP's focus has long since shifted from game improvements and quality content additions to trying to bleed their stone of every dollar they can get out of it, and in the recent couple of years they've even stopped trying to stray away from less popular monetization methods in favor of doing whatever they can regardless of player opinion.”
    • “Eve monetization is opportunistic, predatory, and unfair.”
  • humor66 mentions

    The humor in the game is often derived from the chaotic and unpredictable nature of player interactions, leading to hilarious moments, especially when playing with friends. Players find amusement in the absurdity of situations, such as losing expensive ships or witnessing others struggle with basic game mechanics. Overall, the game fosters a lighthearted atmosphere where laughter and camaraderie can thrive, despite the challenges faced.

    • “Just don't forget to bring a sense of humor (and a healthy supply of tissues for when you inevitably lose that shiny new battleship).”
    • “When you fly with friends, it's always fun; it always makes some hilarious memories.”
    • “Fun to play, addicting, hilarious to watch idiots try to grasp basic concepts like... reading mission details.”
  • atmosphere30 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning graphics and immersive audio, creating a captivating experience in the vastness of space. While some players appreciate the intricate complexities and dynamic player-driven environment, others criticize the community's toxicity and the grind, suggesting a mixed reception regarding the overall ambiance. Despite these criticisms, many agree that the game's visual and auditory elements significantly enhance the overall experience, making it a standout in its genre.

    • “The graphics and overall atmosphere in this game are amazing and will stay that way. CCP continues to update this game over the years visually so that every time you log in and undock into space, you just stare with amazement at the beautiful wonder of space, and on top of it all, the musical score is wonderful and beautifully written.”
    • “The game is so huge in depth that it takes a long time to understand in its entirety, but is not as hard as you might think at first impression. Most of the fun is in its ever-changing atmosphere since it's the players that act most of that change.”
    • “If you can get past the immense learning curve, you will find a dark atmospheric game with player freedom like no other.”
    • “Eve Online has a toxic community, horrid atmosphere, go nowhere grind, and even past all of that, it's dated.”
    • “They try to pretend an open atmosphere, but the reality is if you don't adapt to boomer speech and mentality, you aren't welcome and are seen as an outsider.”
    • “The atmosphere of space is very well done, but this is not an MMO space simulator; it's an MMORPG.”
  • emotional26 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game elicits a wide range of feelings, from rejuvenation and attachment to one's character to heartbreak over losses and frustration with the gameplay. While some players find deep emotional engagement and a sense of purpose, others describe the experience as dull and emotionally draining, exacerbated by a toxic community. Overall, the game can evoke strong emotional responses, making it a polarizing experience for gamers.

    • “Upgrading the ships and your perks feels very personal, so when you battle and lose it, it's heartbreaking.”
    • “This changed my opinion of the game and made me feel all fuzzy on the inside!”
    • “So yeah, Eve isn't for the faint of heart, but it is worth every heartbreaking second.”
  • optimization22 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while the recent visual revamps are stunning and the client runs smoothly on lower-end systems, players report that performance during large fleet battles remains an issue, often requiring them to lower settings. Many users express frustration with the lack of improvement in single-thread performance and note that the game feels unoptimized despite its long history. However, there is optimism for future content and optimizations that could enhance the experience.

    • “The graphics are beautiful, it's well optimized that even a relatively low-end computer can play it, the ships are very uniquely designed and sleek, the weapon effects look very futuristic as it should, and the in-game economy is well designed.”
    • “There is a little to offer everyone and with the promise of more content and optimizations for the game franchise, it will continue to grow over time.”
    • “It's not only a modern marvel in terms of server hardware and performance, having 20k-60k and above players online at a time, on one server, but it's also beautiful to behold, hard to master, time-consuming, requires intelligence, strategy, and in the low or no security areas, requires teamwork and tactics.”
    • “There also needs to be improvement to single-thread performance in order for the large fleet battles to be more enjoyable.”
    • “My in-game performance is exactly the same today as it was 12 years ago.”
    • “It has far too much downtime waiting for things to happen and the game itself is unoptimized despite being almost 2 decades old now.”
  • character development14 mentions

    Character development in the game is described as passive and slow-paced, with a focus on resource management rather than dynamic growth. While the character design offers a wide variety of choices, many players find the overall experience somewhat boring unless they appreciate the long-term progression and the potential for meaningful connections with others. This unique approach provides a sense of persistence and depth, appealing to those who enjoy gradual character advancement.

    • “This unique approach means that a player's skills continue to advance, providing a sense of persistence and depth to character development.”
    • “Many of the activities you can do in the game might be seen as 'boring' but if you find enjoyment through long-term character development and making meaningful connections with real people, then you will find out why this game can be so interesting.”
    • “Character development, combat preparation, and industrial endeavors all have the feel of managing your resources.”
    • “Character development is passive.”
    • “Character development and your progression as a player is relatively slow-paced.”
    • “A wide variety of choices in the character design window, but other than that, the game is just a bit boring.”
  • stability10 mentions

    The game suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent bugs, video freezing while audio continues to play, and persistent startup glitches. Despite these problems, some users believe the game has potential worth enduring the technical difficulties.

    • “No troubleshooting steps found on Google solved the issue.”
    • “The audio works but the video freezes.”
    • “The game gets so buggy at times.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game offers moderate replayability, suggesting that while it may not have extensive incentives for multiple playthroughs, there are enough elements to encourage players to revisit it.

    • “Moderate replay value.”
    • “Moderate replay value.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

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Play time

97hMedian play time
590hAverage play time
10-1000hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 90 analyzed playthroughs

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