Star Raiders
- May 10, 2011
- Incinerator Studios
Star Raiders is now 30 years old and it's certainly showing its age. There's very little action, variety or enjoyment on offer here. With so many more great retro remakes available, this is probably best avoided.
Get on Steam"Star Raiders" is a space combat game where players defend humanity from the Zylon fleet in epic dogfights and aerial assaults. Transform your ship for different combat configurations and utilize tactical robot co-pilots in the heat of battle. Explore the galaxy through galactic warps and sector tactical maps while saving humanity from the Zylon threat.
PC
Windows
PlayStation
Playstation 3
Xbox
Xbox 360
Reviews
- The graphics are decent for a game of its age, providing a visually appealing backdrop.
- The inclusion of new abilities, weapons, and mission variety adds some interesting elements to the gameplay.
- The music is highly praised, with many players enjoying the soundtrack.
- The controls are poorly designed and frustrating, making the game nearly unplayable for many users.
- The game fails to capture the essence of the original Star Raiders, feeling more like a cash grab than a worthy remake.
- Many players experienced technical issues, including unresponsive key bindings and lack of support from tech support.
- gameplay8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received largely negative feedback, with many users feeling it lacks strategy and fails to capture the essence of the original Star Raiders. While some appreciate the attempt to innovate, others criticize it for being a poor imitation of better titles, resulting in an overall disappointing experience.
“I love how different this is from the original Star Raiders, while still retaining key aspects of the original gameplay.”
“Not only is the gameplay good, but the graphics aren't bad either!”
“As far as gameplay, I really wouldn't know.”
“Heck, even Star Raiders II had better gameplay than this travesty.”
“I was hoping for a fun reminder of what Star Raiders was like on an Atari 800, but this just doesn't have the feel or solid gameplay that made the original game unforgettable.”
“Overall gameplay terrible - 2/10”
- story7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game's story is mission-based, featuring diverse locations and engaging cutscenes that provide context and depth, connecting it to its predecessor. However, some players feel it lacks originality, drawing unfavorable comparisons to Psygnosis' Colony Wars due to similar mechanics and objectives. Overall, while the narrative elements are present, opinions on their effectiveness and uniqueness vary significantly.
“I like that the cutscenes add a bit of depth to the story, and explain what's happening and why, and how it's connected to the original.”
“I don't mind that it's mission-based because all the missions are at different locations with different scenery, terrain, and things you have to get done.”
“This game is more of a ripoff version of Psygnosis' Colony Wars due to similarities in the spaceflight mechanics and mission objectives.”
“Story... what?!”
“Now it has a story, it's mission-based, the fighter can transform into different modes and there are cutscenes.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics are generally considered decent, especially for an 8-year-old game, though some users find them uninspired and merely acceptable. Overall, while not groundbreaking, the visuals do not detract from the gameplay experience.
“Not only is the gameplay good, but the graphics aren't bad either!”
“The graphics are good for a game that is 8 years old.”
“Graphics are okay, if rather uninspired.”
“Basics: graphics are just okay.”
- music2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players rating it a perfect 10 out of 10, while others find it to be terrible, giving it a low score of 1 out of 10. This stark contrast highlights a divisive opinion on the game's soundtrack.
“All this and the music is a 10 out of 10.”
“Music and sound is awful - 1/10”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy is perceived as a low-budget cash grab, indicating that players feel the game prioritizes profit over quality and player experience.
“This game feels like a low-budget cash grab.”
“The monetization strategy is overly aggressive and detracts from the overall experience.”
“I can't enjoy the game when it constantly pushes me to spend more money.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is overwhelmingly negative, with users expressing strong dissatisfaction and advising others to avoid it entirely.
