Starbo
- January 3, 2018
- Diax Game AB
- 3h median play time
Starbo is a single-player Horror Action game set in a vibrant blue world, where a deceased man navigates through the tunnels of this mysterious realm. The game offers a good story with intriguing strange messages and beings that add layers to the story. Its immersive atmosphere is complemented by a hauntingly good soundtrack. As you journey through, uncover the deeply hidden secrets and the story that lies beneath the blue world.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game features beautiful visuals and a unique color palette that enhances the dreamlike atmosphere.
- The sound design and music are impactful, contributing to the overall experience and immersion.
- The story, while minimal, offers intriguing themes and moments that resonate with players, making it a memorable experience.
- The gameplay is overly linear and repetitive, often leading to boredom as players navigate through similar corridors without much variation.
- The game lacks meaningful achievements and interactivity, making it feel more like a walking simulator than a fully realized game.
- Technical issues such as poor collision detection, audio lag, and a lack of guidance can frustrate players and detract from the experience.
- story41 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story in the game is often described as minimal and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting its simplicity and linearity. While some appreciate the visual storytelling and unique design choices, others feel that the narrative lacks substance and coherence, leaving players wanting more context and development. Overall, the story is seen as a mixed bag, with potential that remains largely unfulfilled.
“The story is very minimal but pretty much the majority of the uniqueness in the game.”
“It looks gorgeous, handles smoothly, and has a coherent story.”
“It's not only beautiful, but it tells such a compelling story.”
“The story could have been a saving grace for the game except it had no real end and lacked context in many parts.”
“I just found it too linear, lacking in interactivity, and unfulfilling story-wise.”
“I understand that a lot of this is symbolic (especially towards the end), but since we're told absolutely nothing about Leo's character or life story, we don't really know what these symbols could represent.”
- gameplay18 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay has been criticized for its lack of depth and engagement, with many players finding it frustrating due to mechanics like the stamina bar and the simplistic walk/run dynamic. The experience is often described as repetitive, focusing on running through similar corridors with minimal interaction, which detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some appreciate the narrative experience, the consensus is that the gameplay feels shallow and lacks the excitement typically expected from a game.
“Mainly because it not only handles the story but also the gameplay just as if you would actually be stuck in a very dark dream.”
“Which I totally get because when you buy a game you do want more actual gameplay, but for Starbo, it is absolutely perfect as it is.”
“The gameplay part of it isn't as good, but I personally think it's worth it for the experience.”
“There's hardly any gameplay; the story and plot are simple and common.”
“There are no puzzles, the writing is cliché and weak, and the gameplay is slow and boring.”
“There's not really much gameplay to speak of besides running down nearly identical corridors over and over again and then being surprised by a monster that you either run away from... down a corridor... or around some darkly lit areas, which essentially turns the game into a memorization game rather than a thrilling experience.”
- graphics17 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the beautiful and dreamlike visuals, while others criticize the outdated and jaggy elements, particularly the blocky shadows and lifeless environments. Although there are options to adjust settings for improved visuals, many feel the graphics do not meet modern standards, often likening them to those from the late 90s. Overall, while some aspects are praised, the graphics are generally seen as needing significant improvement.
“Very nice graphics and sound, some intense moments involving interesting creatures.”
“I did get better graphics by turning up the graphic settings, in-game.”
“It has a good story, good soundtrack, good atmosphere, some really good moments and okay but still beautiful graphics.”
“Everything else in the game is so clean and hard-edged that seeing this extremely jaggy shadow really breaks the visuals apart.”
“The graphics appear 20 years old and it's all corridors and no guidance.”
“Graphics are sad for a late 90s beta.”
- music9 mentions
- 78 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with a simplistic yet impactful theme song and effective ambient tracks that enhance the atmosphere. While some reviewers noted that the soundtrack can feel repetitive and short, the overall sound design, including powerful sound effects, contributes positively to the game's beautiful visual style and storytelling. Many players expressed a desire to obtain the soundtrack, highlighting its quality and emotional resonance.
“The visual style is beautiful, the theme song is simplistic but impactful, and the final message is something I have never witnessed in any medium before.”
“I want to get my hands on the soundtrack.”
“The scenery is beautiful, the story is really neat, and the music is on point!”
- atmosphere7 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is often described as spooky and immersive, enhanced by a good soundtrack and sound design. However, some players find it repetitive and lacking in tension, particularly when compared to survival horror standards. Overall, while the atmosphere is praised for its beauty and dreamlike quality, it may not fully engage players seeking a more dynamic experience.
“Short indie game with a sometimes spooky atmosphere.”
“I like it because of the atmosphere and sound design.”
“Excellent atmosphere and dreamy setting.”
“The game has a short indie vibe with a sometimes spooky atmosphere.”
“One problem is that walking simulators typically encourage you to explore your surroundings and soak up the atmosphere, while survival horror games are meant to be tense.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its absurd visual gags, such as the protagonist's comically oversized hands, and is complemented by witty dialogue that elicits genuine laughter. Overall, players find the humor to be a standout feature that enhances the gaming experience.
“The initial video shows your character as having absolutely hilariously massive hands; I'm not sure why that happened.”
“With amazing dialogue and a moment or two that made me laugh, Starbo is well worth a try.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's short story limits its replayability, resulting in a lower value for players seeking multiple playthroughs.
“As it's a short story, the replay value is not very good.”
