Skip to main content

Sophstar

A retro-style vertical shooter with content for days.
Sophstar Game Cover
85%Game Brain Score
gameplay, music
story
100% User Score Based on 42 reviews
Critic Score 77%Based on 6 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPCPlaystation 5Playstation 4Xbox OneXboxSteam DeckWindowsPlayStation
Buy NowGet on Steam Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store
Sophstar Game Cover

About

Sophstar is a single player arcade shooter game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Banana Bytes and was released on February 18, 2022. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Sophstar" is a vertical arcade shoot'em up game, where player-controlled Sub-Lieutenant Soph embarks on a mission to uncover the truth about her past and teleporting powers. The game offers 6 different modes, with 8 distinct stages, and is highly inspired by classic shooters of the 90s. Critics have praised its addictive gameplay, impressive variety, and depth, hailing it as a potential modern classic of the genre.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Sophstar screenshot
Sophstar screenshot
Sophstar screenshot
Sophstar screenshot
Sophstar screenshot
Sophstar screenshot
Sophstar screenshot
Sophstar screenshot
Sophstar screenshot
Sophstar screenshot
Sophstar screenshot
+13
Skip User Reviews

100%
Audience ScoreBased on 42 reviews
gameplay11 positive mentions
  • Sophstar features a diverse roster of nine unique ships, each with different mechanics, providing a high level of replayability and catering to various playstyles.
  • The game offers a wide range of modes and difficulty levels, making it accessible for both newcomers and seasoned shmup players, while maintaining a challenging experience.
  • The gameplay is fast-paced and responsive, with a satisfying combat system that encourages risk-reward strategies, enhanced by a creative teleport mechanic.
  • The sound design, including the music and sound effects, lacks impact and excitement, which detracts from the overall experience.
  • Some stages can feel lengthy and repetitive, particularly in the early game, which may lead to a loss of engagement before reaching more interesting content.
  • The game could benefit from clearer guidance on secrets and challenges, as some may be difficult to discover or complete with certain ships.
  • gameplay
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is highly praised for its smooth controls, diverse ship selection, and innovative teleport mechanic, which adds depth and replayability to the experience. Players appreciate the variety of mechanics and challenges, although some find the enemy formations and stage designs lacking. Overall, the game successfully combines addictive, fast-paced action with a wealth of options and modes, making it a standout in the shmup genre.

    • “The gameplay is extremely smooth and responsive, which is needed in a shmup.”
    • “The gameplay and controls are smooth; the different levels of speed, range, and shooting styles of every ship render every run a unique experience to which even experienced players will have to adapt.”
    • “It takes a familiar genre, nails the fundamentals, and then builds upon those with unrivaled ship variety and its teleportation mechanic that is so core to the experience.”
    • “I'm a big fan of the variety of ships and the teleport mechanic, but there are a few things about the game that bog it down and keep it from being excellent.”
    • “Different levels of difficulty and types of gameplay, and the various ships definitely offering the best option for nearly every gaming style.”
    • “Nothing matters if the gameplay is bad, but since the gameplay is really good, it is nice that Sophstar also offers lots of options, multiple game modes, a bunch of ships (with rather different weapon systems) to play, unlockables, online high-scores, a very short tutorial (and a longer cadet school gamemode full of challenges), 6 difficulty settings, a background story developing between the stages, great gamepad support and a catchy soundtrack.”
  • music
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the catchy soundtrack and enjoyable basslines that enhance the gameplay experience, while others find it boring and lacking the intensity typically expected in shmups. Despite the varied opinions, many agree that the sound effects and voice cues add a nice touch, contributing to the overall atmosphere. Ultimately, while the soundtrack may not resonate with everyone, it complements the solid gameplay and nostalgic feel of the game.

    • “Gotta praise the great soundtrack with tasteful basslines too, I'm a bass player myself and sometimes I feel like I need to replay a stage just to hear those tight basslines again, it's just that great.”
    • “I like the more down-tempo chill vibe of the music on this one and the women's voice when you pick up a bonus I find oddly enjoyable especially.”
    • “To complete the package, the game also features a killer soundtrack, with songs that fit each stage and bring us back to the arcade days of the 90s.”
    • “The music doesn't pop and the sound effects seem mixed a little weird.”
    • “Most disappointingly, the music is dreadfully boring.”
    • “It's a real shame, because the core gameplay on offer here is great, but the fact that I find myself thinking about listening to other music instead while playing says a lot.”
  • graphics
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the graphics received mixed reviews; while some players appreciated the pixel art style and the visual presentation of the game, others found the aesthetics to be dated and simplistic. The graphics were noted to be enjoyable in both gameplay and cutscenes, but some felt they fell short compared to the gameplay experience.

    • “I really liked the graphics, both in-game and in the cutscenes.”
    • “The pixel art graphics are pleasant to look at and the sounds are superb in my opinion.”
    • “+ retro graphics.”
    • “- the aesthetics may be too dated for some.”
    • “[the number of variables across crafts can be overbearing, graphically and aurally somewhat simplistic, there's not much spark until the latter stages]”
  • replayability
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers exceptional replayability, praised for its diverse ship roster, challenging mechanics, and numerous hidden secrets. Players are encouraged to keep returning due to the engaging gameplay and the variety of experiences available, all at an affordable price.

    • “Tons of replay value for just 10 dollars.”
    • “You will fail along the way, but you will feel eager to continue due to this game offering great replayability as well as being a challenge true to the shmup genre.”
    • “The teleport mechanics and great ship roster are a great touch for those who want a ton of replayability, not to mention all the easter eggs, hidden things, and secrets.”
  • story
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in the game is engaging and well-integrated, enhancing the overall experience with a background narrative that unfolds between stages. Players appreciate the variety of modes, including the challenging cadet mode, which, despite some balance issues, offers a wealth of content and objectives that motivate progression. The combination of a compelling story and solid gameplay keeps players invested and eager to improve their skills.

    • “All this accompanied by a convincing story (and a neat high-score ranking) that pulls the player into forcing their way further in the next run.”
    • “Nothing matters if the gameplay is bad, but since the gameplay is really good, it is nice that Sophstar also offers lots of options, multiple game modes, a bunch of ships (with rather different weapon systems) to play, unlockables, online high-scores, a very short tutorial (and a longer cadet school gamemode full of challenges), 6 difficulty settings, a background story developing between the stages, great gamepad support and a catchy soundtrack.”
    • “Not sure if it's my lack of skill, but some missions in cadet mode are not so balanced (again, it can be my fault).”
    • “All this accompanied by a convincing story (and a neat hi-score ranking) that pulls the player into forcing their way further in the next run.”
Skip Critic Reviews

77%Critics’ scoreBased on 6 critic reviews
Skip Game Offers

Buy Sophstar

Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Sophstar

Games Like Sophstar

Assault Android Cactus Image
92%1.5kreviews

Assault Android Cactus

2015Arcade Shooter
Nintendo SwitchPlaystation 5Playstation 4+10
BLUE REVOLVER Image
95%309reviews

BLUE REVOLVER

2016Arcade Shooter
LinuxPCMac OS+3
Crimzon Clover WORLD IGNITION Image
94%1.4kreviews

Crimzon Clover WORLD IGNITION

2014Arcade Shooter
PCWindows
Syder Arcade Image
86%519reviews

Syder Arcade

2013Arcade Shooter
LinuxPCTablet+8
Birdcage Image
97%151reviews

Birdcage

2025Hack and Slash
Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPC+5
More games like Sophstar
Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Sophstar is a arcade shooter game with science fiction theme.

Sophstar is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

Sophstar was released on February 18, 2022.

Sophstar was developed by Banana Bytes.

Sophstar has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its story.

Sophstar is a single player game.

Similar games include Assault Android Cactus, BLUE REVOLVER, Crimzon Clover WORLD IGNITION, Syder Arcade, Birdcage and others.