Key Highlights

• Kerbal Space Program 2 launched in Early Access with ambitious plans for new features like interstellar travel and colony building.
• The sequel boasts significant graphical upgrades and a more user-friendly interface compared to the original Kerbal Space Program.
• Development has been slow, and the game currently lacks many core features from the first game, such as a full career mode.
• Recent news of publisher Take-Two shutting down developer Intercept Games has caused significant controversy and player concern.
• Despite the closure, publisher Private Division states that it will continue to support and provide updates for the space program simulator.

Introduction

It’s time to reach for the stars once more! Kerbal Space Program 2, the long-awaited sequel to the beloved physics-based space simulator, has blasted off into Early Access. Developed by Intercept Games, this new chapter promises to expand on everything that made the original a classic, aiming for new star systems and grander ambitions. However, the journey so far has been anything but smooth, with a rocky launch and recent development turmoil leaving many fans wondering about the future of their favorite green astronauts.

Exciting New Features in Kerbal Space Program 2

The vision for this sequel is truly out of this world. While the core gameplay of designing, building, and launching rockets remains, the planned additions aim to elevate the experience dramatically. Publisher Private Division and the development team at Intercept Games (originally Star Theory) set out to introduce groundbreaking mechanics that will redefine your space program.

From stunning new graphics to a more approachable learning curve, KSP 2 is being built to welcome new players while challenging veterans. The roadmap includes massive additions that go far beyond the original KSP. Let’s look at the specific improvements in the building tools and the advanced customization options you can anticipate.

Expanded Building Tools and User Interface Improvements

One of the most noticeable upgrades in KSP 2 is the focus on making rocket construction less frustrating. The developers aimed to improve the building tools to be more intuitive without sacrificing depth. Instead of a “do it for me” button, you get an interface that makes complex designs easier to manage.

This includes quality-of-life features designed to streamline your workflow. Lining up parts, a notoriously tricky task in the original Kerbal Space Program, is now much simpler. The goal is to let you focus more on the creative engineering and less on fighting the controls.

Key improvements to the building tools and interface include:

• Orthographic View Cube: This tool makes it much easier to align components like fins and radial decouplers with precision.
• Procedural Wings: You can now change the shape and size of wings on the fly, with the UI showing real-time effects on lift and drag.
• Parallel Sub-Assemblies: Work on multiple parts of your craft at the same time, making complex builds more manageable.
• Minimalist UI: The in-flight interface has been cleaned up, with a new orientation controller to help you point your craft exactly where it needs to go.

Advanced Rocketry and Spacecraft Customization

Beyond just making the building process easier, Kerbal Space Program 2 introduces a smarter way to think about your rocket engines. In KSP 1, figuring out the best engine for a specific job often required digging through menus and having deep technical knowledge. The sequel simplifies this with a new classification system.

Engines are now divided into four distinct archetypes, each with a clear purpose and visual design. This makes selecting the right thruster for each stage of your spacecraft far more intuitive. Whether you’re breaking through the atmosphere or cruising through deep space, you’ll have a better understanding of which tool is right for the job.

This new system helps you build a more efficient rocket by guiding your choices for each part of your mission. You can also add a personal touch with the ability to paint your spacecraft, adding another layer of customization to your Kerbal creations.

Game-Changing Technological Progress

The ambitions for Kerbal Space Program 2 are built on a foundation of next-generation technology. The developers at Intercept Games, working under Private Division Games, aimed to deliver a massive leap forward in both visual fidelity and the underlying physics that govern your cosmic adventures. The goal was to make the universe feel more alive and immersive than ever before.

This technological jump is planned to support everything from more realistic planetary environments to the mind-bending challenges of interstellar flight. Below, we’ll examine the specific enhancements to the graphics and physics, as well as the incredible new exploration opportunities this progress is meant to unlock.

Next-Generation Graphics and Physics Enhancements

Visually, KSP 2 is a definitive step up from its predecessor. The rocket components, vehicles, and the Kerbals themselves are rendered with far more detail. The planets and moons in the Kerbol system feel richer and more dynamic. For instance, Kerbin now features varied ecosystems with trees, while Minmus has beautifully translucent ice shelves. These next-generation graphics create a more immersive and believable world to explore.

However, these enhancements come at a cost. In its current Early Access state, the game suffers from performance issues, with high graphics settings causing frame rate drops on all but the most powerful PCs. Additionally, the physics engine is still a work in progress. Key features like atmospheric reentry effects are not yet implemented, and players have reported bugs like “wobbly rockets” that were also present in the original game.

Here’s a quick comparison of the visual and technical aspects:

Feature	Kerbal Space Program 1	Kerbal Space Program 2 (Early Access)
Planet Detail	Basic terrain features	Varied ecosystems, trees, detailed ice shelves
Vehicle Detail	Simple, functional models	High-resolution parts and textures
Kerbal Animations	Limited animations	New, more expressive character animations
Performance	Stable on most systems	Demanding, with frame rate issues on high settings
Physics	Mature, with features like reentry heat	Incomplete, missing key environmental effects

Interstellar Travel and Exploration Opportunities

Perhaps the most exciting long-term goal for Kerbal Space Program 2 is the introduction of interstellar travel. For the first time, you’ll be able to leave the familiar Kerbol system and venture into the vast emptiness of deep space to visit other star systems. This feature, planned for a later stage of Early Access, will fundamentally change the scale of the game.

To make these incredible journeys possible, Intercept Games plans to incorporate a range of speculative, future-facing propulsion technologies. Getting to the stars will require more than just a bigger rocket; it will demand a whole new approach to mission planning and spacecraft construction, including building massive vessels in orbit.

Your interstellar adventures will include:

• New Star Systems: The first destination will be a neighboring star called “Debdeb,” with more systems planned for later updates.
• Advanced Propulsion: Utilize futuristic tech like Metallic Hydrogen rockets and nuclear pulse “Orion Drives.”
• Orbital Construction: Build massive interstellar motherships in orbital drydocks, free from Kerbin’s gravity.
• Mothership Concept: Assemble multiple vessels and attach them to a larger super-project for long-duration voyages.

Colony Building and Multiplayer Potential

Beyond traveling to new stars, Kerbal Space Program 2 aims to let you put down roots once you get there. Two of the most anticipated features on the development roadmap are colony building and a fully integrated multiplayer mode. These additions promise to transform the game from a series of missions into a persistent, living universe shaped by you and the wider community.

These features are designed to work together, allowing you to build infrastructure across the solar system and collaborate with friends in your cosmic endeavors. Let’s explore the plans for establishing permanent bases on other worlds and how multiplayer is expected to bring the community together in new and exciting ways.

Establishing Colonies on New Worlds

A major planned addition for the game is the ability to construct entire colonies on new worlds. Instead of just planting a flag, you will fly colony modules to other planets and moons to create permanent, self-sustaining habitats for your Kerbals. This adds a new layer of long-term planning to your space program.

As you transport more resources to your colony, it will grow and support a larger population. Eventually, these bases will become advanced enough to feature their own Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), allowing you to construct and launch new rockets directly from another world. According to creative director Nate Simpson, you’ll even design the colony structures yourself, but be warned—if you build a tower that’s too tall, it can still fall over!

Furthermore, you will be able to build orbital colonies. These space stations will be crucial for constructing the massive ships required for interstellar travel, free from the constraints of planetary gravity. The system is designed to allow automation for resource extraction and transportation, creating an interconnected interplanetary trade network.

Multiplayer Aspirations and Community Collaboration

Multiplayer is one of the most requested features and is planned for the final stage of the Early Access roadmap. The developers intend for it to be true to the spirit of the original game, adding opportunities for “chaos, competition, or cooperation,” depending on who you’re playing with. This feature promises to inject new life into the community.

According to creative director Nate Simpson, the structure will allow players to form different groups. You can work together within a single space agency or create competing agencies to race against your friends to achieve cosmic milestones. This opens up a world of possibilities for shared missions and hilarious mishaps.

The multiplayer vision includes:

• Cooperative Play: Work together with friends to build massive projects and tackle difficult missions.
• Competitive Space Race: Establish rival space agencies and compete to be the first to land on the Mun or travel to another star.
• Shared Challenges: Tackle the universe’s challenges together, whether you’re helping a friend dock for the first time or staging a joint rescue mission.
• Community-Driven Stories: Create unforgettable moments as you and your friends experience the triumphs and failures of space exploration together.

Conclusion

Kerbal Space Program 2 offers a thrilling adventure that expands upon the beloved original, delivering an engaging experience for both new and returning players. With its advanced building tools, stunning graphics, and exciting multiplayer options, it invites players to unleash their creativity and explore the cosmos like never before. Whether you’re launching rockets, establishing colonies, or collaborating with friends, this game is designed to captivate and challenge you. Dive into the universe of Kerbal Space Program 2, and let your imagination soar. If you’re eager to embark on this interstellar journey, don’t hesitate to grab your copy and start exploring today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why has Kerbal Space Program 2 faced review bombing and controversy?

The game has been review-bombed due to public frustration after its publisher, Take-Two Interactive, shut down the development studio, Intercept Games. Players are concerned that the game, still in a buggy Early Access state, will now be abandoned and never finished, leading to overwhelmingly negative recent reviews on Steam.

What is the current state of development and what major updates have been released?

Kerbal Space Program 2 is in Early Access and development has been slow since its February 2023 release date. A major update introduced a science system, but the game still lacks key features. Following the developer’s closure, publisher Private Division insists updates will continue, but the project’s future remains uncertain.

Is Kerbal Space Program 2 worth buying right now for new or returning players?

Currently, it is difficult to recommend buying Kerbal Space Program 2. The game is buggy, lacks many features from the original game, and its development future is in question. Most community members and reviewers suggest that players, for now, are better off playing the heavily modded original game.