DIVE: Starpath

Dive: Starpath is a third-person runner set in the stratosphere of massive planets. Guide yourself through the perils of interstellar space as you pursue a mysterious traveler. Fight gravity, gather the data canisters, and don't lose orbit!

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

62%

Audience ScoreBased on 35 reviews

music6 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The graphics and voice acting are surprisingly good for a student project, creating an enjoyable atmosphere.
The soundtrack is fantastic and enhances the overall experience of the game.
As a free game, it offers a decent challenge and can be a fun way to pass 30 minutes.

The controls are janky and can be frustrating, making the game more difficult than necessary.
Hitboxes are inconsistent, leading to moments of unfair deaths and confusion during gameplay.
The game is very short, lacks depth, and has little replay value, making it feel more like a mobile app than a full-fledged game.

music
12 mentions
50 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers highlighting the fantastic soundtrack and excellent voice acting as standout features. The background music is described as fitting the game's atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience, despite some noting it can feel repetitive at times. Overall, the music is considered one of the best aspects of the game, contributing significantly to its enjoyment.
- “Its soundtrack is fantastic, and the voice acting for both female voice actors is brilliant.”
- “The best part is by far the soundtrack, but overall it's all good.”
- “The sound effects are tingling and arcady with spacey background music.”
- “It feels a little repetitive at times, but the music keeps me going.”
- “The music definitely fits the atmosphere.”
story
10 mentions
50 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally viewed as underwhelming, with some players finding it uninspired and peripheral, though others appreciate its introspective elements and satisfying conclusion. While the voice acting is notably good, the overall narrative experience is mixed, with some players feeling it provides enough incentive to continue despite gameplay frustrations. Overall, the story is considered decent but not exceptional, often overshadowed by gameplay issues.
- “I enjoyed the concept behind the story; it took a bit of introspective thought after the end of the game to piece it together, which is pretty good!”
- “The voice acting for the game itself is really good for an indie game, and the story is good too.”
- “I had a good time; the story provided good enough incentive to keep going and left a satisfying conclusion.”
- “Though the short hints of a story are more peripheral than significant, they still provide a vehicle for notably good voice acting.”
- “However, an uninspired story and the annoying gameplay found in the later levels with the exaggerated hitbox along with the lack of fluidity in movement on the player's side may make this game more frustrating than it needed to be.”
- “The story is meh, the graphics are meh, the idea is meh.”
graphics
9 mentions
56 % positive mentions
11 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
Overall, the graphics received mixed reviews; while some players praised the visuals as surprisingly good for a free game, others found them basic and serviceable. There were comments on the potential for improvement, as certain aspects like resolution and controls were locked, limiting the ability to enhance the graphical experience. Despite the varied opinions, many appreciated the art assets and the overall graphical presentation.
- “For a free game, the graphics are surprisingly very good.”
- “The visuals are pretty good, so the students who worked on the visuals probably passed the course.”
- “The graphics are awesome, and I would recommend a controller because it will be easier when you rotate on axis; at first, it does make you a little dizzy.”
- “Resolution and controls are locked, so there's no way to correct the mistakes by the students here, and there's no way to improve or polish the visuals (which is a shame because the art assets are pretty good).”
- “The graphical presentation is nothing to write home about: the game looks basic but serviceable and is accordingly performant.”
- “The story is meh, the graphics are meh, the idea is meh.”
gameplay
6 mentions
17 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a unique twist on the traditional temple runner format, as players navigate through an asteroid field while controlling their movement in multiple directions. However, issues such as exaggerated hitboxes and lack of fluid movement can lead to frustration, particularly in later levels, detracting from the overall experience.
- “In a twist from the usual temple runner gameplay, you're 'falling' through an asteroid field in a spacesuit and you must move up, down, left, and right to avoid the asteroids.”
- “There are a couple of gameplay quirks that need to be sorted out initially.”
- “However, an uninspired story and the annoying gameplay found in the later levels with the exaggerated hitbox along with the lack of fluidity in movement on the player's side may make this game more frustrating than it needed to be.”
- “If you find yourself hating bad collision mechanics in games, this will have you swearing - it's definitely not the worst I've experienced in a game, but it definitely shows its student underpinnings.”
atmosphere
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised, effectively immersing players in a space environment, enhanced by fitting music that complements the overall experience.
- “It gives the game an amazing atmosphere and adds to the effect that you are traversing space.”
- “The music definitely fits the atmosphere.”
grinding
1 mentions
200 % positive mentions
-400 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Players indicate that grinding in the game can be quite demanding, often requiring significant time investment or multiple attempts to progress effectively.
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
- “The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel earned.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
- “I spent hours grinding, and it felt like I made no progress.”
replayability
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game has minimal replayability due to its short length, leading to a lack of incentive for players to revisit it.
- “Just know it has virtually no replay value and is quite short.”
humor
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players find the humor in the game particularly notable, with many highlighting the hilarity of the death animations as a standout feature.
- “The death animation is hilarious.”
emotional
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Reviewers note that the game's AI exhibits a notable emotional range, enhancing the overall emotional depth of the experience. This aspect contributes to a more immersive and engaging narrative, allowing players to connect on a deeper level.
- “The AI in the game has a remarkable emotional range, which is truly telling.”
- “I was deeply moved by the character's journey; it felt incredibly real and relatable.”
- “The emotional depth of the story left a lasting impact on me, making me reflect on my own experiences.”