Starman
- June 28, 2018
- nada studio
Get on SteamStarman is a remastered indie game that challenges players to solve puzzles across 24 atmospheric levels, while guiding the titular character through stunning architectural sceneries to restore light and bring life back. With simple controls and over 30 handcrafted puzzles, players can expect an engaging and immersive experience lasting between 1.5 to 3 hours. The game's uniquely eerie atmosphere sets the stage for a thought-provoking and relaxing journey.
iPad
iPhone
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Phone
Android
Mobile Platform
Tablet
Reviews
- The game features a beautiful and calming art style, creating a relaxing atmosphere that enhances the puzzle-solving experience.
- Puzzles are enjoyable and not overly challenging, making it a great choice for players looking for a laid-back gaming experience.
- The game is short but sweet, providing a satisfying experience for those who appreciate minimalistic design and ambient gameplay.
- The game feels incomplete, with a lack of a proper ending and a very short overall playtime.
- Control mechanics can be unintuitive and frustrating, particularly with the slow movement speed and awkward action mapping.
- Some puzzles can be overly simplistic or frustrating, especially the timed ones, which may lead to repeated failures and a lack of satisfaction.
- graphics9 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are praised for their minimalistic and cohesive art style, creating a peaceful and aesthetically pleasing atmosphere. Players appreciate the clean and crisp animations, which enhance the overall experience, likening it to the visual vibes of titles like Limbo and Monument Valley. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.
“The atmosphere, aesthetics, music, and art of the game really come together to create a peaceful experience.”
“A fantastic puzzler with simple and gorgeous graphics, and a satisfying style.”
“The animations are clean, crisp, and satisfying, and the graphics as a whole achieve the 'chill' vibe the game is going for.”
“The other meta-problem is that while all chapters have some cohesive aesthetic, only three (in practice, two) aren't linear sequences of discrete puzzle rooms.”
“Graphically speaking, I'll admit some bias in favor of this game: I'm a sucker for minimalistic game design, especially when it comes to puzzle games.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its relaxing and unique qualities, with many highlighting the effective use of monochrome visuals, music, and art to create a peaceful experience. However, some reviewers note that while the ambiance is strong, the level design can be repetitive and the gameplay may feel dull or frustrating at times. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature, enhancing the overall experience despite some gameplay shortcomings.
“This was such a lovely monochrome experience; they nailed the atmosphere just perfectly.”
“The atmosphere, aesthetics, music, and art of the game really come together to create a peaceful experience.”
“Unique atmosphere and style, highly recommended.”
“The atmosphere and ambiance are all there, but the level design is nothing but bland repeating layouts housing puzzles that range from boring to frustrating.”
“The game really isn't trying to do too much, and the atmosphere it creates allows for a lack of direction to work.”
- story5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The story in the game is considered weak and poorly integrated, with users finding it difficult to engage with the narrative. While the atmosphere is noted to be dark and immersive, it fails to elevate the overall experience, leaving players feeling that the puzzles are simplistic and the mission lacks depth.
“Limbo makes the dark atmosphere much better and it also shows you a good story.”
“The interface is inconvenient and the story element is weak for a 'puzzle adventure'.”
“Maybe I don't fully understand the story, but in my opinion, it lacks depth.”
- music3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for its calming and nostalgic qualities, effectively enhancing the peaceful atmosphere created by the grayscale visuals. Reviewers appreciate how the sound design contributes to a unique blend of tranquility and eeriness, making for an immersive experience.
“It's a simple yet enjoyable game; I love the grayscale and calming music.”
“The atmosphere, aesthetics, music, and art of the game really come together to create a peaceful experience.”
“The monochromatic style is effective, and the music does a good job of building up a simultaneously nostalgic and eerie ambiance.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The gameplay has been criticized for its simplicity, with basic mechanics that involve minimal interaction, leading to a sense of boredom for some players despite an appealing atmosphere.
“The mechanics are very basic, push the button or flip the switch, so no instructions are required.”
“The atmosphere is cool, but the gameplay is boring.”
“Unfortunately, my problem is with the game mechanics, which comes down to personal preference.”
“The mechanics are very basic; push the button or flip the switch, so no instructions are required.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is characterized as a wholesome and relaxing puzzle experience, evoking a sense of calm and emotional comfort for players.
