Lodestar
- August 17, 2023
- Edenic Era LLC
Get on Steam"Lodestar is a Role Playing game that offers both single-player and multiplayer experiences for up to 8 players. The game is a puzzle adventure crafting experience, where you must survive in space and communicate with an intelligent species. Features include a multiplayer campaign, Zelda-like puzzles, resource gathering for abilities and upgrades, and exploration of handcrafted planets with dangerous creatures and bosses."
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game has fun gameplay loops and offers enjoyable resource gathering and crafting mechanics, especially when played with friends.
- The developers are responsive to player feedback and have shown commitment to improving the game, making it feel like it has potential for growth.
- The grappling hook mechanic adds a fun dynamic to exploration, allowing for creative movement and interaction with the environment.
- The game feels unfinished and lacks content, with many features still marked as 'coming soon' and a sense of abandonment from the developers.
- Combat is often described as frustrating due to fast-moving enemies and a lack of variety, leading to repetitive gameplay.
- The overall experience can be marred by bugs, poor performance, and a lack of polish, making it feel more like an early access title than a complete game.
- gameplay16 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
Gameplay is highlighted for its engaging grappling mechanics and smooth controls, which enhance exploration and teamwork, especially in multiplayer settings. While the mix of spacecraft mining and in-person exploration is enjoyable, some players find the gameplay becomes repetitive over time due to grinding for upgrades. Overall, the mechanics are well-received, with a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic games, though opinions on the grappling system vary.
“The grappling mechanics are incredibly fun and add some extra dynamic gameplay.”
“Exploration is fun and the mechanics are great.”
“The ship-to-planet gameplay is unique and there are endless streams of upgrades to chase.”
“Good for the first bit of gameplay but gets repetitive very quickly: grind, find loot, get upgrades, repeat.”
“Didn't like the grappling mechanics at all - should be able to grapple almost anywhere, not just at points.”
“There's mechanics like mining & resource gathering, 3rd person shooting, RPG upgrading, workbench-style crafting, some space flight, and boss fights that make me reminiscent of the good ol' PS2 days.”
- music7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as repetitive and annoying, often leading players to mute it due to its droning quality. While some users appreciate that the music fits the diverse planetary environments, many feel that a greater variety of tracks would enhance the experience, especially during extended gameplay.
“The music suits the planets well, although a bit repetitive if you're trying to '100%' a planet or area.”
“More music, separated based on location would be very nice.”
“Planets feel varied and interesting, music is entertaining and environments are detailed.”
“The music is annoying and repetitive.”
“Another thing that gets old fast is the music.”
“I had to mute the in-game music because the same track repeated and just droned on and on.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely driven by the AI, which is often described as hilarious and snarky, delivering funny commentary. However, some players find the emotionless delivery of certain lines detracts from the intended humor, making them feel more annoying than amusing. Overall, the humor is hit-or-miss, with moments of genuine wit overshadowed by a lack of emotional engagement.
“The AI is hilarious.”
“AI talks some major trash and can be funny at times.”
“The AI is a bit snarky, but the commentary is funny at times.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The graphics received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating their beauty and the engaging gameplay, while others found them lacking in originality and impact, failing to evoke a strong emotional response. Overall, the visuals were described as decent but not groundbreaking, with some users noting low quality and basic aesthetics.
“Graphics are pretty, gameplay is good, and the mix of spacecraft mining and in-person exploration is really fun!”
“There was nothing special or aesthetically shocking about it, so it didn't draw me in or give that wow factor the way No Man's Sky did with some of the first planets I visited.”
“Low quality graphics, basic gameplay, droning music.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the game's farming, exploration, crafting, and building elements, noting that while progression can feel grindy—especially with mining—it's an expected aspect of the genre. However, some find certain activities, like shooting, to be tedious and less engaging.
“Progression feels really nice, if not a bit grindy (but we are here to mine rocks, so that is expected). Puzzles are interesting and varied across planets.”
“Shooting was tedious; I yawned so hard I fell out of my chair.”
- story2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The story is criticized for its limited scope, with players expressing disappointment over the minimal number of planets and missions, feeling that the gameplay is insufficient for the price. The initial quests, which involve repairing items with a mining laser, do not provide enough depth or variety to sustain interest.
“The starting quests have you repairing things with a mining laser, which feels tedious and uninspired.”
“After exploring only 4 planets, the game abruptly ends. I expected more missions on other planets, but it seems only 2 additional planets will be added. Paying £24 for such limited gameplay feels like a robbery.”
“The story lacks depth and engagement, making it hard to stay invested in the game.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users have noted significant improvements in optimization, with previous performance issues largely resolved, leading to a smoother gameplay experience without major bugs.
“No major bugs or performance issues.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its engaging and immersive environments, enhancing the fun of multiplayer gameplay focused on resource collection and crafting. Players appreciate the overall vibe, indicating a desire to revisit the game in the future.
“A fun multiplayer romp through highly atmospheric environments with the goal of collecting, crafting, and base building the resources necessary from each planetary orbit so you can mothership-jump to the next one.”
“On a plus, I did kind of like the atmosphere of the game and therefore I will revisit at some point in the future.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviewers indicate that the game lacks replayability, suggesting it may not provide good value for time spent, especially unless purchased on sale.
“If you are getting the game, get it on sale; it likely isn't going to be good value for your time as it has no replayability.”
