Best New Features In Space Engineers Fieldworld Update

The new update to Space Engineers brings some great new changes and additions to this open-world game. It also comes with an optional DLC that adds a lot of new blocks, following the theme of the update, which is named Fieldwork. So think of laboratories and experimentation.

It is great to see that Keen is still putting out new content for the original Space Engineers game, even though they are now actively working on the vertical slices for Space Engineers 2. The new Fieldworks update is one of the best that have ever been released for this space exploration game.

5

Quality Of Life Updates

Some Very Sensible Changes

Keys can now be remapped

Many blocks now have additional values to set

The Fieldwork update for Space Engineers includes some very well thought-out quality of life changes. Keybindings can now be remapped, which is something the community has been asking for. Some blocks now have additional values that can be changed. For example, wheels now have overrides for steering and propulsion. One of the more useful new settings is being able to switch mining drills over terrain clearance mode only, perfect for drilling tunnels or excavating caves.

The GPS window now allows multiple selection of GPS entries, and a search function has been added to the blocks menu, which is very useful. The admin tools have also received some love, and overall, these QoL changes are all impactful and should be well-received.

4

Overhauled Cargo Ships

Now Using Modern Blocks And Weapons

Can now communicate using broadcast controllers

Now designed using many of the newer blocks, such as weapons

In this update, the old cargo ships, which have not received any improvements for many years, have been completely overhauled. What this means is that they now use many of the blocks that have been added to improve functionality and features. This includes the AI blocks, the modern weapons systems, and also broadcast controllers, with these being used to call in drone reinforcements.

Each faction now has cargo ships using their color scheme, which will make them instantly recognisable. These PvE encounters are a little tougher now and are aimed at being a mid-tier challenge. Using broadcast antennas, when a cargo ship is attacked, they may call in between two and four combat drones to assist them. Whether a cargo ship is aggressive towards the player is driven by the faction system, which hasn’t changed. So pirate ships will always attack, and mining ships won’t initially be aggressive but will become so when attacked, for example.

3

Updated PvE Encounters

Including Unknown Signals And Strong Unknown Signals

New grids for all signals

Only large grids now spawn at strong unknown signals

The Contact update for Space Engineers added a whole host of new PvE content to the game. The Fieldwork update has tweaked much of this content to make it more engaging and compelling. There are three main changes that this update has made to how PvE content works.

Firstly, Unknown Signals will now use modern blocks, and the loot table has also been changed. Secondly, Strong Unknown Signals now use only large grids and have better salvage and loot, such as Prototech blocks. And lastly, the spawn system for Planetary Encounters has been changed. Previously, it could be quite difficult to find Planetary Encounters, but now they should be more common and simple to locate.

2

New Free Blocks

Free For All Players

New Prototech fusion reactor

Amazing new large grid small connector

As with all previous updates to Space Engineers, Fieldwork introduces some new blocks that are available to every player, regardless of whether they purchase the optional DLC. There is a new Prototech fusion reactor, which is a pretty large device, and actually runs on hydrogen rather than uranium, as all of the existing reactors do.

A small oxygen tank has been added, which is a nice new addition as well, and will save room on some small grids. A new refill station has been added, which players can use to top up their oxygen, energy, and hydrogen supplies, but it does not heal health, so it is not a replacement for a med bay or survival kit. And last but by no means least, a large grid, small connector has been added, which is absolutely amazing. Small grids can now dock to large grids using a small connector for the first time.

1

Fieldwork DLC Blocks

Only For Players Who Purchase The DLC

Research lab-themed blocks

Purely cosmetic

Something that Keen has always done well is making sure that owners of Space Engineers who don’t want to pay for any of the DLC don’t miss out on functionality. And as usual, the Fieldworks DLC consists of only cosmetic blocks.

That being said, there are some great-looking new blocks in this DLC that can be used to add a whole new level of diversity to player builds. All of these blocks follow the theme of a research lab. Blocks include desks, animated experiments, a new version of the cryo tube, which is modeled as a vat, doors, and a new O2/H2 generator and hydrogen tank. There is also a whole range of new, round passage blocks, which are really impressive looking. Overall, this is one of the better cosmetic DLCs the game has ever received.