Stardust Vanguards

About

"Stardust Vanguards" is a local multiplayer game where up to four players can engage in fast-paced dueling combat, while also having the ability to summon their own NPC army for support. The game features a random event system with space pirate scenarios that can change the tide of battle, adding an extra layer of strategy and unpredictability. The space pirates themselves can even win the battle, making cooperation between players a potential necessity.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
PvP Player versus Player - Fight against other players in real-time, often in arena-style combat
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

81%

Audience ScoreBased on 75 reviews

gameplay11 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

Stardust Vanguards offers a fun and fast-paced local multiplayer experience, making it great for parties and gatherings with friends.
The game features charming retro pixel art and a captivating soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
The mechanics, such as bullet reflection and reinforcement units, add depth to the gameplay, making it engaging and skill-based.

The game lacks online multiplayer functionality, limiting its appeal for players without friends nearby to join in.
The single-player mode is repetitive and lacks depth, making it less enjoyable for solo players.
Technical issues, such as poor controller support and bugs, detract from the overall experience and can frustrate players.

gameplay
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
39%
13%
The gameplay is highly praised for its fast-paced, cooperative mechanics that encourage strategic play, such as bullet deflection and limited ammo, making it enjoyable for local multiplayer sessions. While the combat feels fluid and engaging, some mechanics can feel awkward, and the single-player experience lacks depth. Overall, the game offers a fun and varied experience, though it could benefit from better implementation of certain features and a tutorial for new players.
- “It's a good local co-op game, highly recommended to play with 3-4 friends. The mechanics are nice, and the levels provide variety. The hardest mode is survival mode endurance, which helped me improve a lot at the game.”
- “From the interesting mechanics like deflecting bullets and dashing, to the ones that make the game feel very rooted in its inspiration like limited ammo forcing players into knife fights, the game does a good job of being fast-paced and fun.”
- “With fantastic gameplay, awesome music, cool graphics, and an unrelenting amount of fun, Stardust Vanguards is a game that every gamer should pick up and enjoy with friends.”
- “The reinforcement mechanic is really poorly implemented.”
- “Combat feels fluid, but a lot of the mechanics in combination just feel very awkward.”
- “The game doesn't teach you all the mechanics.”
music
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
19%
14%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its fantastic and engaging soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Described as a mix of classic arcade sounds and influences from mecha and anime, the music contributes significantly to the game's intense atmosphere and enjoyable gameplay. While some opinions suggest it may not be groundbreaking, the consensus is that the soundtrack is a standout feature that adds to the game's appeal.
- “The soundtrack alone would be worth that.”
- “With fantastic gameplay, awesome music, cool graphics, and an unrelenting amount of fun, Stardust Vanguards is a game that every gamer should pick up and enjoy with friends.”
- “Amazing soundtrack and fun gameplay, I recommend this game.”
- “The music is nothing special, though that is a highly subjective opinion.”
- “Although it's perhaps a little light on content for the price (especially for solo players), Stardust Vanguards oozes style and boasts a rocking soundtrack to duke it out with friends to.”
- “It sounds like a mixture of various soundtracks from Gundam mixed with tones akin to Street Fighter, Dragon Ball Z, and Ape Escape.”
graphics
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
40%
20%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a retro pixel art style that some players find charming, while others view it as outdated and lacking in quality. Although the visuals are simple and reminiscent of 16-bit graphics, they are praised for their fluidity and animation, appealing to fans of old-school aesthetics. Overall, while the graphics may not meet contemporary standards, they effectively complement the game's nostalgic experience.
- “Stardust Vanguards offers a charming old-school experience with a retro aesthetic and simple yet responsive controls.”
- “The game is presented in 16-bit graphics and they sure pack a lot of animation and detail to make it look fluid and nice.”
- “Overall the graphics do the job very well and it doesn't feel like upping to 3D models would enhance the game in any way.”
- “A choice was made to use obsolete, decades-old retro pixel art as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
- “While there are options to change the resolution for the game, all this does is scale up the simplistic 2D art assets used to make the game, which makes little or no difference to the graphics quality.”
- “Without any other substantial graphics tweaks, it's not possible for gamers to improve the lackluster 2D visuals.”
story
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's story has been largely criticized, with players expressing a lack of interest and engagement, resulting in a low rating of 3/10. The narrative seems to convey a moral about perseverance, but it fails to resonate with the audience.
- “Hardly a success story; gamers just weren't all that interested in the game.”
- “Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
- “Story: 3/10”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
67%
Overall, "Stardust Vanguards" has limited replayability, with players noting that the game's appeal diminishes quickly, although it can still provide value when played with friends. Some users report technical issues that may affect the experience, but the low price point makes it a worthwhile option for casual play.
- “The replay value is a solid 9/10.”
- “Not a ton of replayability, but having some friends over makes it worth the low price tag.”
- “Unfortunately, the allure of Stardust Vanguards begins to fade relatively quickly, and you notice a lack of replayability.”
- “Not a ton of replayability, but have some friends over and you'll get your money's worth out of the low price tag anyway.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, though it offers the potential for mildly grindy unlockables like space soccer and custom mode, which can provide some entertaining matches if players invest extra time.
- “Tedious.”
- “If you stick around a bit longer, you can explore some mildly grindy unlockables, like space soccer and custom mode, which are good for some goofy matches.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the humor in the game to be a significant source of enjoyment, often leading to shared laughter and a fun experience with friends.
- “It was still a ton of fun; my friend and I were just laughing and having a great time.”
- “The humor in this game is top-notch, with clever jokes and hilarious situations that kept us entertained.”
- “I couldn't stop chuckling at the witty dialogue and absurd scenarios; it made the gameplay even more enjoyable.”