Star Valor

About

"Star Valor" is a single-player, open-world space simulator where players can explore the galaxy, engage in space combat, and manage their own spaceship. With various ships, weapons, and equipment to choose from, players can customize their gameplay experience while completing missions and uncovering the game's storyline. The game also features a dynamic economy, AI-controlled factions, and procedural generation of planets and systems for a unique experience each time.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,894 reviews

story56 positive mentions

grinding90 negative mentions

The game offers a vast open-world experience with multiple ways to play, including mining, trading, and combat.
Ship customization is deep and satisfying, allowing players to tailor their ships and weapons to their preferred playstyle.
The developer is highly active in the community, regularly updating the game and responding to player feedback.

The game lacks a compelling storyline and endgame content, leading to a repetitive experience after reaching level 50.
The user interface can be cumbersome, making inventory management and fleet control tedious.
Some gameplay mechanics, such as the AI behavior and the save system, are frustrating and could use improvement.

story
485 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
77%
11%
The game's story is largely underdeveloped, with many players noting a lack of engaging narrative beyond the initial tutorial. Most missions are repetitive fetch quests or combat tasks, leading to a sense of aimlessness once the tutorial is completed. While there are hints of a broader storyline and faction dynamics, players express a strong desire for more substantial quests and narrative depth to enhance the overall experience.
- “The game could really use a little more in the way of story arcs for the various factions, but it took me this long to finish the story missions at the time of review.”
- “This game really is crying out for a story that drives the player to choose a side, a story that pits all factions against the others but each is sympathetic to their own plight.”
- “I really hope quests are added; only a little short story for now, the rest of the quests are generic kill/deliver ones.”
- “My main gripe after ~115 hours is that there is not enough story content.”
- “There's barely any story outside of the tutorial, and the gameplay is oriented around mining, trading, exploring, and combat.”
- “The main story just... stops existing almost immediately, and other than choosing a side in the galactic war (which doesn't actually lead to anything), I didn't run into any side quests.”
gameplay
263 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
64%
4%
The gameplay of the game is characterized by a mix of engaging mechanics, including ship customization, crafting, and a variety of play styles such as trading, mining, and combat. While many players appreciate the depth and flexibility of the gameplay, some express frustration with minor glitches, a lack of clear tutorials, and repetitive mechanics that can lead to grind. Overall, the game offers a solid foundation with addictive gameplay loops, though it could benefit from further refinement and additional content to enhance the experience.
- “There is also a hidden depth to gameplay when you start optimizing custom weapon configurations.”
- “The core gameplay loop consists of exploring and mapping new sectors while taking various jobs from the space stations you encounter.”
- “The depth of ship outfitting, crafting, and crew mechanics is impressive; there are hundreds of different components available, and they do make a difference.”
- “The combat is unbalanced; half the implemented systems don't work either through bugs or not well thought out game design mechanics.”
- “Getting started is a bit overwhelming, and you're somewhat just thrown into the game with very little meaningful tutorial to really get you to understand the game mechanics and what the game expects from the player.”
- “The gameplay loop is almost the same - start small, fight your way through grindy quests and resource management, get stronger, bigger and meaner... until the entire galaxy kneels before your might.”
graphics
101 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
48%
7%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the charming and colorful visuals that suit the game's style, while others criticize them as simplistic or childlike. Despite some noting that the graphics are not groundbreaking, they are often described as serviceable or even impressive for a top-down format, with good use of lighting and detail in ship designs. Overall, the visuals contribute positively to the immersive experience, although some players express a desire for more depth and variety in the graphical presentation.
- “Great ships and beautiful graphics.”
- “The graphics are awesome, the environments feel spacey and beautiful, the combat is fun, the customization is fun.”
- “Graphics are amazing, weapons and effects fit the gameplay.”
- “The game's graphics are childlike and simplistic.”
- “Its a real basic top down side scroller with dated UI and graphics.”
- “Again, Star Sector from 2013 looks way better and way more detailed, and even some pixel space games like Avorion look graphically better.”
grinding
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
1%
98%
The grinding aspect of the game elicits mixed reactions from players. While many find the grind addictive and rewarding, particularly in the context of resource gathering and fleet building, others describe it as tedious and repetitive, especially as they progress beyond the initial stages. Overall, the game offers a blend of enjoyable grindy mechanics and frustrating tedium, with some players appreciating the freedom and sandbox potential, while others feel it lacks engaging content as they reach higher levels.
- “The world is pretty damn big, and the grind is substantive enough to feel rewarding while not being tedious.”
- “Every action we do in this game is tedious and boring.”
- “It's incredibly tedious and not the only unnecessarily irritating quality of life issue, but explaining tedious issues is itself tedious.”
- “The game feels like grinding for the sake of it.”
replayability
65 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
48%
5%
The game's replayability is highly praised, with many players noting the variety of starting perks, ships, and playstyles that encourage multiple playthroughs. Procedural generation and a robust achievement system further enhance the experience, providing endless exploration and customization options. However, some users mention a lack of end-game content, which can diminish replay value for certain players.
- “Very enjoyable, extremely replayable, with a wide range of achievements and their associated in-game perks to keep you hunting!”
- “The sheer amount of stuff to find while exploring will keep you going for ages on this game, and the replayability is great thanks to an unlocking system that allows you to start the game with better ships, perks, skills, reputations, etc.”
- “With all my excessive game time over many years, I have 'played 'em all' -- genres that is -- and after over 100 hours as of this writing, I am confident in claiming that Star Valor has 'nailed it' with the elusive 'endless replayability' formula.”
- “End-game content is incredibly lacking; once you reach the end game, the replay value becomes zero.”
- “The game is designed in a way so as to have contrived replayability.”
- “Poor replay value despite its sandbox, randomly generated nature.”
music
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
42%
8%
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players praising its atmospheric quality and suitability for the space theme, featuring a mix of melodic and ambient tracks. However, some users note that the soundtrack can become repetitive over time, with a limited number of tracks available. Overall, the music enhances the gameplay experience, providing a relaxing backdrop for exploration and action, though it may occasionally overshadow sound effects.
- “The music is good and fits the space theme well.”
- “The soundtrack and music is also very fitting with some awesome environmental songs and epic dogfight music.”
- “The music suits the game nicely - soft and dreamy during the flights/exploration, and aggressive/energetic enough whenever a combat sequence ensues, but never overstays its welcome or gets too annoying.”
- “The game does not have 'hell systems' where the local star is a pulsar or you come across a black hole, and while I've never counted them, I'd be surprised if the game has much over a dozen tracks of music for it.”
- “But hearing the same three or four songs gets boring.”
- “The soundtrack is lacking but easily sorted with some Spotify space playlist in the background.”
optimization
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
39%
17%
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its smooth performance and stability, with players reporting no crashes and efficient running. However, some ships, particularly the frigates, are criticized for not being well-optimized for combat, which is a key aspect of the game. The extensive ship customization options allow players to optimize their vessels to suit their playstyle, enhancing replayability and personal investment in the game.
- “Starting your second run by judiciously picking perks, maybe optimized for the kind of ship or game you want to run, should make it a more enjoyable experience.”
- “There is some of the best ship customization I've seen in any game, and the vessel you tweak and squeeze every ounce of performance out of ends up really feeling like your own.”
- “Replayability that makes starting a new run more fun than the last as optimization takes over while perk slots and selections get unlocked to get started even faster than before.”
- “Why a game so centered around battles has ships not optimized for battle is beyond me.”
- “(edit: the developer stated in a thread that he is aware of the poor performance of turrets, and handles it as a priority issue)”
- “So I just gave up and optimized my ship for the way I want to play even though I can get a ship I don't like the model of but has better stats.”
stability
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
87%
The stability of the game is mixed, with some players reporting minor gameplay glitches and bugs, while others have experienced a smooth, bug-free experience. While a few users noted significant issues, such as quests disappearing and incomplete features, many found the game polished and stable overall, with no crashes or major problems. Overall, the game appears to be playable and enjoyable, though some players feel it still has room for improvement.
- “The game was pretty much bug-free for me, and plays like a mix of Starflight and Star Control along with various roguelikes.”
- “Very nice 2D space shooter, very polished and (almost) bug-free, with features being added regularly.”
- “It's a good game but it's buggy; for example, the main quest to ally with humans or aliens just disappeared at some point, so I'm not sure how to progress further. Also, a perk that makes metal trade goods take up half the space will only affect you while your crew is present, even if it shows that it affects them, they will just drop the metals out as soon as they undock.”
- “It's very incomplete and a little buggy and should still be in early access.”
- “Good but buggy.”
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its lighthearted take on challenging gameplay, with players finding amusement in unexpected situations like ambushes and the quirky behavior of ships, such as ramming enemies or colliding in asteroid fields. The tutorial and quests are noted for their fun and humorous elements, making the overall experience enjoyable even for those who may not typically enjoy the sci-fi genre. Players appreciate the blend of humor with strategic gameplay, highlighting the absurdity of certain mechanics and decisions.
- “It’s funny, you think you are doing well until you jump into a more difficult sector, and then get your butt handed to you in a warp jump-in ambush.”
- “The funny part is, I am not even much of a sci-fi genre fan.”
- “Even though it is early access, the game feels/plays smooth, music is amazing, quests are funny (at least for me they are), and the tutorial is informative.”
atmosphere
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
43%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users highlighting the effective combination of art and music that creates a chill and immersive experience. The game's design allows for significant atmospheric differences between sectors, enhancing the exploration feel. Despite some bugs from ongoing development, the overall ambiance, progression systems, and combat contribute to a uniquely engaging environment.
- “The art and music are good and make it surprisingly atmospheric for a top-down 2D game.”
- “A fun little 2D sandbox space game, looks nice, and has a chill atmosphere.”
- “Longer version, I'd say it has the ships and equipment, atmosphere, and chill exploration feeling absolutely nailed.”
- “Star Valor feels like playing X in 2D in terms of atmosphere and immersion, but it never feels like a copy.”
- “While there are some bugs here and there (due to active development), the atmosphere of the game, progression systems, and combat are all on point.”
- “Longer version: I'd say it has the ships and equipment, atmosphere, and chill exploration feeling absolutely nailed.”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting feelings of nostalgia and joy reminiscent of childhood experiences. The game evokes a sense of camaraderie and warmth, encouraging players to share in both the challenges and triumphs, while also providing a fulfilling sense of adventure and discovery. Overall, it successfully combines wholesome gameplay with emotional depth, making players feel like they are part of a larger narrative.
- “Tv/icewatercreek to learn how not to survive and come shed a tear with us, for us, and catch a warm embrace.”
- “If any of the developers ever read this, you've made me feel like a kid again.”
- “Pretty neat and made me feel like a true ship's captain from something like Firefly.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
The monetization model of the game is generally viewed positively, as it avoids in-app purchases and DLCs, which are often seen as cash grabs. However, some players express concern that the game's design may encourage spending to progress, particularly in level-based systems, while others appreciate the developer's commitment to improving quality of life and gameplay without additional costs. Overall, the absence of aggressive monetization tactics is a notable strength, though some players feel the game could benefit from a more balanced progression system.
- “If you buy this game and lack the patience to complete it, you may feel like you got ripped off after 1-3 hours. However, lowering the price further could make it difficult for developers to profit, potentially leading to a slew of DLCs or in-app purchases.”
- “I'm not a fan of level-based games because many developers expect players to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to get the best boosts at the start. Fortunately, this game does not include in-app purchases, making it more playable and reasonable.”
- “If you buy this game and lack the patience to complete it, you will be in the 1-3 hour range. Yes, maybe you've gotten ripped off by your standards, but lowering the price any further would make it difficult to profit from, and we'll end up with a dozen DLCs or even in-app purchases.”
- “I'm not a fan of level-based games simply because many developers (and this seems to be one of them) cater to the idea that the player would be willing to splash out hundreds and thousands of dollars just to get all the best boosts at the start of the game. Since this game doesn't exercise any in-app purchases (luckily!), it only becomes marginally playable and reasonable when one employs cheating in every sense of the word.”
- “Always adding new features to improve quality of life and gameplay... he gets a lot of credit just for that. Too many cash grabs on Steam promise the world and snatch your money, only to be dead months later!”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Character development in the game is currently minimal, focusing primarily on gameplay elements like combat and exploration. Players express a desire for more depth, particularly in terms of character recruitment and growth, hoping for enhancements in future updates.
- “The character development is intriguing, with each character having a unique backstory that adds depth to the gameplay.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making choices that impact their relationships and abilities.”
- “The ability to recruit and develop characters adds a strategic layer to the game, enhancing the overall experience.”