Star Shift Origins

65%
Game Brain Score Based on 25 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
Star Shift Origins Game Cover
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In Star Shift Origins, play as the first crew of the Dauntless, pursued by the Earth Systems Alliance after being trapped in an alternate reality. Manage skills and stats with Knowledge Points from combat and engage in both turn-based and tactical fleet battles. Each character's unique skill tree depends on their species and class, as you uncover the mystery behind the shattered time. The game features a soundtrack from various independent artists.

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Reviews

65%
Audience ScoreBased on 25 reviews
story8 positive mentions
character development1 negative mentions
  • The game features a captivating sci-fi setting with interesting world-building and a compelling story that keeps players engaged.
  • The soundtrack and audio effects are excellent, enhancing the overall atmosphere and immersion of the game.
  • The skill system is unique and allows for character development without traditional leveling, providing a fresh take on RPG mechanics.
  • The game is very short, often feeling like a demo or prologue rather than a full experience, leaving players wanting more.
  • There are numerous bugs and unpolished elements, such as inconsistent skill descriptions and issues with combat mechanics, which detract from the overall experience.
  • The combat can become repetitive and tedious due to long corridors and similar enemy encounters, making exploration feel less rewarding.
  • story17 mentions

    The story of the game is generally regarded as interesting and engaging, with a promising buildup to a grand plot, though some players felt it was too brief and could have benefited from more development. While the narrative is described as "bare bones" at the start, it features intriguing twists and well-defined characters that keep players invested. Overall, the game offers a satisfying sci-fi experience with decent world-building, appealing to fans of the genre.

    • “It’s fun for me to play all the way through; the story kept me going.”
    • “It's a neat sci-fi spin on classic JRPGs with a pretty good story, decent world-building, and a battle system that is interesting enough to dig into.”
    • “A good and addictive plot will not let you get bored.”
    • “I am one of the ones who originally bought this when it came out back in 2021 and played through it (though sadly got halfway through due to getting bored at one point in the game). I've previously played the Star Shift Legacy demo that this game is a side story to.”
    • “+ Character design: same as with the story, there's nothing here that will make this game stand above the crowd, but they're well-made, and despite how short the game is, you get a pretty clear sense of who everyone is and their goals.”
    • “I suppose there is an amount of story-sense with this decision, but that doesn't mean I enjoy watching the game play itself.”
  • music8 mentions

    The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to immerse players in the atmosphere, with a standout soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the catchy and memorable tunes, particularly noting the effective use of sci-fi synth and alternative genres, making it a significant aspect of the game's appeal.

    • “The atmosphere is very good, the music supports that very well.”
    • “The music not only sets the mood, but it slaps, too!”
    • “The soundtrack deserves a special mention.”
  • gameplay7 mentions

    The gameplay features a mix of familiar RPG mechanics and some tedious elements, such as mazes, which can lead to confusion regarding stats and leveling. While the game offers interesting mechanics, they often feel incomplete or unpolished, contributing to a potential gameplay loop of mission interruptions. Overall, the initial focus on crew combat is engaging, but the experience may be hindered by pacing issues and unclear instructions.

    • “In summary, this is a fun and interesting game that promises a lot of interesting mechanics that are ultimately left feeling incomplete or unpolished.”
    • “At any rate, the first hour and a half of gameplay is devoted to crew combat, so let me talk about that for a bit.”
    • “Space is implemented well, and the gameplay is not difficult.”
    • “There were some questionable gameplay decisions in the form of tedious mazes.”
    • “To be fair, it's not a huge deal, since most of the mechanics are things you'll have seen in other RPGs, but it did lead to me not fully understanding stats, taking some time to figure out how to level, and a few other things that, in all honesty, might have taken longer to fully explain.”
    • “At this point, the game feels like it could run into a gameplay loop of mission-break-mission.”
  • graphics6 mentions

    The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the beautiful sprites and special effects, while others note issues such as graphical errors and a rough mixed style. Although the artwork is generally well-received, some players feel that the screen space is not utilized effectively. Overall, the graphics may not be perfect, but they contribute positively to the game's sci-fi atmosphere.

    • “Wonderful sprites and graphics.”
    • “Star Shift Origins is a fun space game with beautiful special graphics.”
    • “It's a good game and it's fun; if you're into sci-fi and don't mind a bit of a rough mixed graphics style, give this one a shot!”
    • “The graphics are probably the part you could criticize the most.”
    • “I only had one major crash during a battle and a few graphical errors when playing.”
    • “It's a good game and it's fun, but if you're into sci-fi and don't mind a bit of a rough mixed graphics style, give this one a shot!”
  • character development3 mentions

    Character development in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the character designs and the clarity of each character's goals despite the game's brevity. While it may not stand out in originality, the development system is effective and avoids frustrating leveling mechanics.

    • “Character design: same as with the story, there's nothing here that will make this game stand above the crowd, but they're well-made, and despite how short the game is, you get a pretty clear sense of who everyone is and their goals.”
    • “Character design: same as with the story, there's nothing here that will make this game stand above the crowd, but they're well-made, and despite how short the game is, you get a pretty clear sense of who everyone is and their goals.”
    • “A well-developed character development system without any annoying levels.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is hit-or-miss, with some players enjoying the quirky facesets of NPCs and finding unintentional comedy in the exaggerated animations, such as the dramatic way pistols are drawn and fired. Overall, while not universally appealing, there are moments that can elicit genuine laughter.

    • “This might not work for everyone, but I had my fun talking to every single NPC because I wanted to see their facesets; some of the edits are quite funny.”
    • “And some of them are funny, like the way the pistols get whipped out and fired is actually unintentionally funny.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly due to the inclusion of frustrating mazes that detract from the overall experience.

    • “The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “I spent hours doing the same tasks over and over, which quickly became boring.”
    • “The game forces you to grind for resources, turning what could be fun into a chore.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere is highly praised, with users noting that the music effectively enhances the overall experience.

    • “The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, and the music enhances it beautifully.”
    • “The game's atmosphere draws you in, making every moment feel alive.”
    • “The combination of visuals and sound creates a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Overall, the emotional impact of the game is generally positive, with players noting minor bugs that do not significantly detract from their experience.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

6hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
6-6hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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