The video critically reviews the new Esperia Stinger in Star Citizen 4.3.2, highlighting its sluggish handling, underwhelming firepower, and lack of competitiveness compared to other heavy fighters like the Blade. While visually intriguing and showing potential, the Stinger currently feels cumbersome and disappointing, though future updates may improve its performance and appeal.
The video provides a candid review of the new Esperia Stinger ship in Star Citizen 4.3.2, comparing it unfavorably to the Blade. While the Blade is described as a sleek, fun-to-fly assassin ship that makes the pilot feel powerful and agile, the Stinger is portrayed as cumbersome and sluggish, likened humorously to a “freshly divorced dude” who just finished watching a reality TV show. The reviewer emphasizes that the feel and vibe of flying a ship are crucial to their preference, and unfortunately, the Stinger feels like flying through quicksand.
Visually, the Stinger presents a mixed impression. From the front, it looks like a formidable “killer bat,” but from behind, it resembles a “bulbous cockroach,” which detracts from its intimidating presence. The reviewer notes that heavy fighters like the Stinger don’t currently have a strong role in the game, especially in player-versus-player combat. Instead, they tend to serve more as player-versus-environment (PvE) vessels, useful for longer patrol missions but often outclassed by other ships such as the F8C, Guardian MX, or even nimble light fighters.
The Stinger’s combat performance is a significant drawback. It struggles against smaller, more agile ships and is too large and slow to effectively dodge turret fire from bigger opponents. The reviewer expected a ship of its size and mobility to deliver powerful ion-based attacks, but the Stinger’s size five bespoke cannon feels underwhelming and weak. Even when paired with Omnis Skies to improve targeting, the damage output remains disappointing, and the overall flying experience is described as “like a boat,” lacking excitement and responsiveness.
Despite these criticisms, the reviewer still sees potential in the Stinger. They acknowledge it as a “fantastic ship” that is simply underwhelming at launch. With some adjustments and tweaks, particularly in terms of firepower and maneuverability, the Stinger could become a more competitive and enjoyable option for players. The current iteration, however, leaves much to be desired, especially when compared to other ships in the heavy fighter category.
In conclusion, the video offers a balanced but critical take on the Esperia Stinger, highlighting its aesthetic appeal but pointing out significant flaws in performance and enjoyment. The reviewer encourages viewers to keep an eye on future updates that might improve the ship’s capabilities. They wrap up with an invitation to join their live streams and a friendly sign-off, emphasizing safety and fun in flight within the Star Citizen universe.