Interstellaria

54%
Game Brain Score Based on 353 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Interstellaria Game Cover
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"Interstellaria is a single-player Science Fiction Real Time Strategy game with a good plot and fabulous gameplay. Manage your crew, customize your ship, and navigate through a dangerous galaxy filled with hostile aliens and anomalies. Enjoy its pretty visuals, great soundtrack, and the humor, but be prepared for lots of grinding and some bugs."

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

54%
Audience ScoreBased on 353 reviews
story30 positive mentions
stability39 negative mentions
  • Charming retro art style and great soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • Engaging space combat mechanics that allow for tactical maneuvering and crew management.
  • Offers a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic space exploration games like Star Control II and Starflight.
  • Clunky user interface and controls that can be frustrating to navigate, especially during combat and crew management.
  • Numerous bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including issues with pathfinding and character interactions.
  • Limited content and linear gameplay that may lead to a lack of replayability after completing the main story.
  • story151 mentions

    The story in Interstellaria is generally described as linear and somewhat uninspired, often relying on repetitive fetch quests that detract from the overall experience. While some players appreciate the humor and unique backstories associated with various planets, many feel that the narrative lacks depth and cohesion, making it feel more like filler content. Despite these criticisms, the game offers an engaging premise and a blend of exploration and management, though it may not satisfy those seeking a rich, immersive storyline.

    • “The story is great and there's a narrative behind every planet you can land on.”
    • “Each planet you'll encounter is interesting, with unique content and storylines to be uncovered.”
    • “The story had me engaged (though it's a wee bit uncreative) and the music took the game to a whole new level.”
    • “The main story is just a linear and uninspiring streamline of fetch quests; go talk to this quest giver, go to this planet, kill all the monsters, find the quest object, grab all resources, go back to your ship, return to quest giver, rinse and repeat for hours.”
    • “First and foremost, this game is story driven and linear, though the story itself is pretty weak.”
    • “The story is boring, the music gave me a headache, the art too, and finally the gameplay was just bad!”
  • gameplay71 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is a mixed bag, featuring a blend of point-and-click mechanics, space and planetside combat, and resource management that some players find engaging while others criticize for being clunky and overly complex. Many reviewers appreciate the depth and variety in combat and crew management, likening it to classics like FTL and Star Control II, but express frustration with bugs, linearity, and a lack of user-friendliness. Overall, while the game offers interesting mechanics and hours of potential gameplay, it struggles with execution and balance, leaving some players disappointed.

    • “The gameplay feels a bit like FTL with a dash of Starbound mixed in, and maybe some Star Control II -- and if you think that sounds like a fun combination, then I'm happy to confirm that this game mostly pulls it off.”
    • “Interesting perspective, great soundtrack, and multiple well-intertwined gameplay mechanics.”
    • “The ship combat feels sort of like upgraded FTL, as does the fleet and crew mechanics.”
    • “You'd think point-and-click mechanics used since the old Mac days would have been figured out by 2015, but apparently, you'd be wrong.”
    • “I've started maybe 3-5 captains and quit all of them because I'd hit a crash and lose an hour of gameplay that I don't want to plainly repeat.”
    • “Movement is clunky and gameplay just isn't fun.”
  • music65 mentions

    The music in the game, primarily composed by chipzel, has received widespread acclaim for its engaging chiptune soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Many players highlight the soundtrack as the standout feature, often stating it is worth the price of entry alone, while some have noted technical issues related to sound settings. Overall, the music is described as immersive and fitting, significantly contributing to the game's atmosphere and enjoyment.

    • “The chiptunes soundtrack is amazing; for some, it might be worth the price of entry alone.”
    • “The soundtrack is by far one of the best I've heard in a very long time; it fits the mood no matter what.”
    • “Chipzel's music elevates the entire experience, and the depth of the game's design and content is hard to find in games these days.”
    • “The story is boring, the music gave me a headache, the art too, and finally the gameplay was just bad!”
    • “Since Chipzel sells the soundtrack separately (and, depending on your Steam regional pricing, cheaper than the DLC here), if you just want the soundtrack you might as well buy it straight from the source and skip buying the game.”
    • “Soundtrack is cheesy and it makes my ears hurt enough to force me to shut the music and open the interstellar soundtrack up.”
  • graphics58 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the nostalgic pixel art style and charming aesthetics, while others criticize the low resolution and lack of detail, describing them as bland and uninteresting. Many users noted that the visuals evoke a sense of nostalgia reminiscent of classic games, but the overall execution feels unfinished and can detract from the gameplay experience. Despite the polarizing opinions, the graphics are often seen as a reflection of the game's deeper mechanics and atmosphere rather than a focal point.

    • “Love the art style.”
    • “The artwork is pretty charming, and I enjoyed flying through space, customizing my ship, dogfighting other ships, and trundling around on planets.”
    • “I immediately fell in love with the retro graphics and doot-y chiptunes.”
    • “Pixel graphics are fine, but these are so low res that you can hardly tell what's what.”
    • “I can't actually be certain that this is the case because the graphics and UI are so bad, it's pretty impossible to be sure.”
    • “The UI is clunky, the universe is tiny, the pixelated graphics could use more work. It seems like all of the hallmarks of a good game are here, but executed in a manner so half-assed and boring that the game is borderline unplayable.”
  • stability42 mentions

    The game is plagued by a significant number of bugs and glitches, affecting gameplay stability and user experience. Players report issues such as freezing during battles and loading screens, clunky pathfinding, and problematic UI interactions, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. While some find the game fun despite these issues, many agree that it requires substantial improvements to reach a stable state.

    • “The game started out good with no glitches on the first world where you start out.”
    • “This game runs great in windowed mode so I can divide attention.”
    • “God forbid you have resolution issues, need to change any of the settings, etc. If you turn on mouse acceleration, the entire game freezes and makes you force quit.”
    • “If that wasn't bad enough, the game is horribly buggy, and there is no excuse for a game that has been out this long.”
    • “The game has way too many glitches to not be supported; combat is clunky, managing your shipmates is nearly impossible, as they will all stand in the same place, and to separate them, you have to click off of them, then click on the pile, then click on an open space, and repeat this process until you've moved them all out.”
  • grinding29 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and repetitive, often requiring players to engage in monotonous tasks for extended periods without meaningful rewards. While some players find enjoyment in the charm of the game, many agree that the grinding can quickly become boring, especially with poorly designed interfaces and slow-paced mechanics that detract from the overall experience. Those who dislike grinding or seek more engaging gameplay may want to reconsider their interest in this title.

    • “Completing simple tasks takes years because of the tediousness of clicking.”
    • “You will experience everything to do within an hour; all that's left is grinding for however long you want to increase meaningless numbers to your satisfaction.”
    • “The game promises 'worlds with special rewards'; those rewards are randomized drops of weapons/armor, and if you want to kit out your NPC crew with better gear, you'll likely have to go through a lot of grinding sessions, separated by boring 20-minute waits.”
  • humor16 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as charming and light-hearted, with a mix of wry and dark undertones that can elicit genuine laughter. While some players find the humor hit or miss, many appreciate the quirky dialogue and random encounters that contribute to the game's fun atmosphere. Overall, the humor adds a unique flavor to the experience, despite some critiques regarding the clarity of the story and gameplay mechanics.

    • “Despite its flaws, Interstellaria has a rich atmosphere, with a cute sense of humor coupled with somewhat dark undertones.”
    • “Besides, there's a lot of wry humor that made me laugh out loud.”
    • “The universe isn't big, but it's big enough that it's worth checking every planet, and there are some unique characters and aliens with all-around pretty funny dialogue.”
  • replayability14 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is largely criticized, with many users noting it as virtually nonexistent or very limited due to its linear structure and lack of content. While a few players mention some potential for replaying with different ships or configurations, the consensus leans towards a short experience that does not encourage multiple playthroughs.

    • “I would say the game is pretty linear, but has a lot of replayability.”
    • “Replay value is okay if you want to try different ships, weapons, or squad formations.”
    • “Tons of fun and great replayability.”
    • “Too bad it has absolutely no replayability, let alone initial playability at this point.”
    • “However, the game also has some significant weaknesses; the primary ones being that it is a pretty short game in terms of the main quest, and that there's currently not really enough world content to justify much replay value after my first playthrough.”
    • “I want to like the game, however it feels quite short on content, has no replayability, and is too short on any actual gameplay for me.”
  • atmosphere8 mentions

    The atmosphere of Interstellaria is generally praised for its rich visuals, cute humor, and fitting music, creating an engaging space environment. However, some players find that the humor detracts from the overall experience, and issues with controls and interface can hinder immersion. While the game features a lovely aesthetic and competent storytelling, the lack of survival elements on planets may leave some players wanting more depth.

    • “Despite its flaws, Interstellaria has a rich atmosphere, with a cute sense of humor coupled with somewhat dark undertones.”
    • “I've enjoyed the space combat aspect so far, and the music fits the atmosphere well.”
    • “It looks good, the atmosphere is nice, and the story is competent.”
    • “The attempts at humor mostly mar the atmosphere rather than improve it.”
    • “Not only that, but all landable planets have 'breathable atmospheres' - there's zero survival or life support component in the game.”
  • character development3 mentions

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews; while some players express disappointment in the overall depth of character arcs, others appreciate the potential for meaningful growth through random events that can enhance the narrative experience.

    • “Some of the random events that can take place contribute to amazing character development!”
    • “Character development via random events.”
    • “Another area of disappointment for me is the lack of significant character development.”
    • “Character development is primarily driven by random events, which feels unsatisfying.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    Users report significant optimization issues, including random performance problems and a persistent hang when attempting to sell items. Additionally, the user interface fails to adjust properly to resolution changes, leading to readability challenges at lower settings.

    • “The user interface isn't optimized to change correctly when there is a change in resolution; everything stays in place and then becomes too hard to read if using the smallest resolution setting.”
    • “Random performance issues; I failed to sell items as the game just keeps hanging after pressing 'my items'.”
    • “The user interface isn't optimized to adjust correctly when there is a change in resolution. Everything stays in place and becomes too hard to read when using the smallest resolution setting.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    Reviewers highlight a disconnect between the advertising for Interstellaria and the actual gameplay experience, noting that players are restricted to a static map and a linear storyline, which may lead to disappointment regarding the game's monetization strategy.

    • “As previous reviewers have mentioned, there is a significant difference between Interstellaria's advertising and what you actually get once you get in-game.”
    • “Unlike what the advertising may have you believe, you are bound to a static map and an incredibly linear storyline.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

5hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
3-12hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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