The video provides a detailed first look at Star Citizen’s new Esperia Stinger, a heavy fighter with impressive weaponry and unique design, and the Grays Market Shiv, a kitbash ship with a rugged, cobbled-together aesthetic and distinctive features. While praising the Stinger’s powerful performance and sounds, the presenter notes the lack of component access on both ships and invites viewers to share their opinions on these new releases.
In this video, the presenter offers a detailed first look at two new ships released during Citizen Con for Star Citizen: the Esperia Stinger, a VanDuel replica heavy fighter, and the Grays Market Shiv, a unique kitbash ship combining elements from the Cutlass Black, Valkyrie, and other designs. The video begins with an exterior and interior tour of the Esperia Stinger, highlighting its menacing front profile, impressive weapon loadout including bespoke size five laser cannons, multiple changeable weapons, and a substantial missile payload. The ship’s design features a distinctive bronzy metallic finish and an organic, skeletal interior structure that adds to its unique aesthetic.
Inside the Stinger, the presenter notes the lack of visible component access bays despite the presence of a fuse box, suggesting that component customization might not yet be implemented. The cockpit impresses with an ornate HUD reminiscent of VanDuel king ships, though the ship appears to have limited power capacity, requiring careful management between shields, weapons, and engines. The ambient sounds inside the ship are described as organic and alive, adding to the immersive experience. A brief test flight demonstrates the Stinger’s powerful engine sounds, agility, and overall aggressive feel, reinforcing its role as a heavy hitter in combat scenarios.
The video then shifts focus to the Grays Market Shiv, a new manufacturer’s ship characterized as a kitbash with a rough, cobbled-together appearance. It borrows heavily from the Cutlass Black’s shape but features significant modifications such as exposed mechanical parts, unique side engines resembling those from the Valkyrie, and altered weaponry. The interior of the Shiv is described as messy and utilitarian, with some humorous touches like a bucket replacing a turret and weapon lockers seemingly sourced from a Crusader ship. Similar to the Stinger, the Shiv currently lacks component access bays, which the presenter finds disappointing.
Upon powering on the Shiv, the presenter notes it retains the Drake voice but features a different green UI color. The ship has one size two shield and a quad remote turret that can be controlled by the pilot or a co-pilot. The weapons sound similar to Panther repeaters but appear visually distinct and lack movement, indicating areas needing polish. The Shiv’s engine sounds are unique and rickety, fitting its patched-together aesthetic. Unlike the Cutlass, the Shiv’s engines do not have VTOL capabilities, which is an interesting distinction. A short flight in rainy conditions showcases its quirky sounds and unique silhouette, which the presenter finds amusing but not unattractive.
In conclusion, the presenter expresses a clear preference for the Esperia Stinger due to its unique sounds and heavy firepower, envisioning it as a strong option for PvE heavy fighter roles. They raise concerns about the absence of component access on both ships, preferring that all new ships include this feature for customization and maintenance. The video ends with an invitation for viewers to share their thoughts on the ships, their design choices, and the implications of releasing ships without component access. Viewers are encouraged to like and subscribe for more Star Citizen updates and in-depth content.