Star Shift Origins
- November 8, 2021
- Psychronic
- 6h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io StoreIn 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
- The game features a captivating sci-fi setting with interesting world-building and a good story that keeps players engaged.
- The soundtrack and audio effects are praised for enhancing the overall atmosphere 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 rather than a full experience, leaving players wanting more content.
- There are numerous bugs and unpolished elements, including issues with the combat system and inconsistent skill descriptions.
- The gameplay can become tedious due to repetitive battles and maze-like environments that detract from the overall enjoyment.
- story34 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The story is generally regarded as interesting and engaging, with a solid premise and notable twists, although it starts off feeling bare-bones and may leave players wanting more due to its brevity. While some players found the pacing uneven, leading to moments of boredom, many appreciated the character development and world-building that kept them invested throughout the gameplay. Overall, the narrative is seen as a strong point, particularly for fans of sci-fi themes.
“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, and no 'endless/random' battles which is a deal breaker for me and the JRPG formula.”
“A good and addictive plot will not let you get bored.”
“If the game were longer, or the story less interesting, it could easily be the sort of thing I lose interest in, but as it is (6 bucks for 10-15 hours of effort) was satisfying and the story kept moving.”
“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 suppose there is an amount of story-sense with this decision, but that doesn't mean I enjoy watching the game play itself.”
“+ 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.”
- music16 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to immerse players and enhance the overall atmosphere, with a standout soundtrack that features catchy sci-fi synth and alternative jams. Reviewers note that the music not only sets the mood effectively but also leaves a lasting impression, making it a memorable aspect of the gaming experience.
“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.”
- gameplay14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a mix of familiar RPG mechanics and crew combat, but suffers from tedious mazes and a lack of clarity regarding stats and leveling, which can hinder player understanding. While the game shows promise with interesting mechanics, many feel incomplete or unpolished, leading to concerns about a repetitive gameplay loop. Overall, the experience is fun but could benefit from more thorough explanations and refinement.
“At any rate, the first hour and a half or so 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.”
“In summary, this is a fun and interesting game that promises a lot of interesting mechanics.”
“There were some questionable gameplay decisions in the form of tedious mazes.”
“At this point, the game feels like it could run into a gameplay loop of mission-break-mission.”
“I say 'could', because, as of this writing, I've yet to complete the first mission, even after about 6 hours of gameplay.”
- graphics12 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the beautiful sprites and special effects, while others criticize the overall graphical quality and occasional errors. Players appreciate the artwork and clarity of menu options, but note that the screen space could be better utilized. Overall, those who enjoy sci-fi themes may find the graphics appealing despite their rough edges.
“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.”
“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!”
“I only had one major crash during a battle and a few graphical errors when playing.”
- character development6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative 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 the development system is effective and avoids frustrating mechanics, it does not stand out significantly compared to other titles. Overall, the characters are well-crafted, contributing to a solid, if not exceptional, narrative experience.
“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.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is hit-or-miss, with some players finding enjoyment in interacting with NPCs and discovering amusing facesets. Additionally, certain actions, like the exaggerated way pistols are drawn and fired, provide unintentional comedic moments that contribute to the overall lightheartedness.
“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.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Players have criticized the grinding aspect of the game, noting that it often involves tedious mazes that detract from the overall experience.
“The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The game forces you into monotonous tasks that feel more like a chore than fun.”
“I found myself stuck in a loop of grinding that took away from the overall enjoyment.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is highly praised, with users noting that the music significantly enhances the overall experience.
“The atmosphere is very good; the music supports it very well.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is generally positive, with users noting that while there are some bugs, they do not detract significantly from the overall experience or evoke strong negative feelings.
