Stars Die

About

"Stars Die" is a nonlinear sci-fi mystery game set on a dying world with a giant cathedral of flesh in the ocean. The game features five parallel storylines, branching dialogues, and a real-time element where characters act with or without the player. The choices presented are ideological rather than moral, with a focus on the player's personal perspective. The 1.2 update includes a Steam key and expanded content.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 220 reviews

story48 positive mentions

grinding10 negative mentions

The game features a unique and intriguing cosmic horror story that encourages exploration and multiple playthroughs to uncover different endings.
Visually, the game is impressive with a nostalgic PS1 aesthetic that enhances the eerie atmosphere, complemented by a fitting soundtrack.
The writing is generally strong, with deep dialogues that provoke thought and reflection on existential themes, making it a memorable experience.

Gameplay can feel tedious due to the need to repeat large portions of the game to see all endings, with limited impact from dialogue choices.
The story can be confusing and vague, leaving players with more questions than answers, which may frustrate those seeking a clear narrative.
The lack of a save system and options to skip dialogue or cutscenes can lead to a frustrating experience during multiple playthroughs.

story
164 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
68%
2%
The story of "Stars Die" is a complex and intriguing cosmic horror narrative that unfolds through multiple endings, allowing players to explore different perspectives and outcomes. While the writing is generally strong and the world-building is unique, some players find the execution vague and the gameplay tedious, requiring repeated playthroughs to fully grasp the plot. Overall, the game offers a thought-provoking experience, particularly for fans of atmospheric storytelling, though it may not satisfy those seeking a more linear or detailed narrative.
- “The story in this game is absolutely spectacular.”
- “Each ending you complete grants you insight into what exactly this island is, who these scientists are, what might come of the world, what exactly the hole is, and who you are in this story.”
- “It's a unique attempt at something concrete in the sphere of PSX style games, the story develops quickly and has multiple endings depending on which companion you align yourself with.”
- “I really wanted to like this, but the game isn't really interested in telling a story; instead, the writing is more geared toward obliquely hinting that a story may exist but you're only going to get a few scraps of it.”
- “The real problem that I have with Stars Die, though, is that the dialogue and story are told so vaguely or guardedly by the characters that the game doesn't want you to understand the world it's creating.”
- “It feels like a 3-hour story that was crammed into a 30-minute game; I wish you dedicated more time to develop characters because they make very wild opinions.”
graphics
74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
58%
4%
The game's graphics are characterized by a nostalgic PS1/N64 retro style, which has garnered praise for its unique aesthetic and atmospheric qualities, effectively complementing the cosmic horror theme. Reviewers appreciate the art direction, noting its surreal beauty and minimalist design that evoke a sense of alien wonder, while the visuals and music work harmoniously to enhance the overall experience. Despite some critiques regarding the gameplay and narrative delivery, the visuals remain a standout feature that captivates players.
- “Superb art direction all around, from the early PlayStation surrealist grit to surprisingly beautiful character portraits evoking semi-realistic manga aesthetics.”
- “A Lovecraftian style horror game in PS1 style graphics; besides the simple controls and satisfying gameplay, it's beautiful to just observe the eerie environment and listen to the ominous breezes of wind.”
- “I was immediately enchanted by the retro graphics style and surreal atmosphere.”
- “Although it is not worth its asking price (get it on sale for $2-3 at most), it is a great little atmospheric/philosophical game about the last days of planet Earth, really trippy visuals; it kind of reminds me a bit of Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne.”
- “With PS1 style graphic horror, it is also like... either it's very bad, or it's very good.”
- “I wanted to like this game a lot because of the aesthetics.”
atmosphere
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
40%
6%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive cosmic horror elements, enhanced by a nostalgic PS1 aesthetic and a haunting soundtrack. Reviewers highlight the cryptic dialogue and surreal visuals, which contribute to a deeply engaging and oppressive environment, making it a standout title for fans of atmospheric, story-driven horror. However, some note inconsistencies in the overall experience and gameplay, suggesting that the atmosphere is the primary draw.
- “The atmosphere in this game is impeccable; the writing can be very cryptic, but it only adds to the appeal of the game for me.”
- “Visuals and atmosphere absolutely on point, interesting story, good ol' cosmic horror!”
- “The world, scenario design, sound design/music, and atmosphere are excellent, and what I appreciated the most about the game.”
- “One complaint is that aside from the secret endings, all endings are unlocked at the same time (they are literally just a dialogue choice) so it was really lame the developer decided to delete your save game upon completing it, forcing you to repeat the entire thing just to get back to the ending choice... so only people who truly love the atmosphere will ever get to see all the endings.”
- “It's a real shame this game has gone so far under the radar as it's definitely one of the better cosmic horror games on Steam and is certainly worth buying to experience the atmosphere and story.”
- “Gameplay is a bit weaker than I expected but solid atmosphere.”
gameplay
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
86%
7%
The gameplay is primarily a walking simulator with a focus on narrative and exploration, featuring simple controls and limited interaction, which some players find tedious, especially during repeated playthroughs. While the unique world-building and intriguing story can captivate players, the lack of depth in gameplay mechanics and the minimal impact of dialogue choices may deter others. Overall, the experience is more about the story and atmosphere than engaging gameplay, making it a mixed bag for potential players.
- “A Lovecraftian style horror game in PS1 style graphics, besides the simple controls and satisfying gameplay, it's beautiful to just observe the eerie environment and listen to the ominous breezes of wind.”
- “Because each character is hellbent on their own belief, this paves the way for a time-dependent mechanic in the game where characters will progress without you, regardless of what dialogue choices you've made - that is if you choose to do so.”
- “Gameplay is narrative and exploration driven.”
- “The actual gameplay side is tedious at best after the first time and only gets worse with subsequent playthroughs.”
- “Gameplay-wise, it's pretty much a walking simulator.”
- “However, there is no gameplay to speak of and there are about two responses to most dialogue trees depending on whether you are rude.”
music
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
42%
8%
The music in the game is widely praised for enhancing the atmospheric experience, effectively complementing the cosmic horror theme and unique visuals. While some find the soundtrack to be decent yet forgettable, many appreciate its ability to evoke nostalgia reminiscent of early 2000s games, with standout moments that emphasize key cinematic elements. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant asset, contributing to the game's immersive world and emotional depth.
- “The world, scenario design, sound design/music, and atmosphere are excellent, and what I appreciated the most about the game.”
- “Really good nonlinear investigative cosmic horror game with lots of player freedom and an amazing soundtrack to accompany heavily atmospheric world design.”
- “Love the visuals, love the music.”
- “Music is pretty decent though largely forgettable.”
- “The somber music definitely helps in this regard.”
- “In addition to the obvious unique vision of the devs, I found some influences from Pathologic, Annihilation, Blindsight, etc. The PSX-esque art style and OST are very well done too.”
grinding
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly when replaying for different endings, as many actions feel inconsequential and do not unlock significant new information. While the story and world-building are praised for their uniqueness, the repetitive gameplay detracts from the overall experience, leading to a mixed reception despite some enjoyment of the game.
- “What's unfortunate is that none of your actions before choosing the ending matter and you don't really unlock that much new information by choosing different dialogue options, so replaying the game a bunch of times to see all endings was tedious.”
- “The actual gameplay side is tedious at best after the first time and only gets worse with subsequent playthroughs.”
- “After that, it gets too tedious.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game emotionally impactful, particularly praising its touching endings. However, some feel that the inclusion of philosophical elements detracts from the overall experience, suggesting that a more straightforward approach would have been preferable.
- “The game features touching endings that resonate deeply with players.”
- “Lovecraft would shed a tear if he saw this.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by the amusing choice of the protagonist's name, Dybowski, which resonates with players and adds a lighthearted touch to the experience.
- “I bought the game because the protagonist is a girl named Dybowski, which I found hilarious.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers highlight that the game features impressive character design, particularly notable given its short length, suggesting that the characters are well-developed and memorable despite the limited gameplay time.
- “Great character design for a short game.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
Users consistently highlight the game's open-ended nature, emphasizing its high replayability, which encourages players to return for new experiences and outcomes.
- “The game is open-ended and highly replayable, offering countless ways to approach each playthrough.”
- “With its open-ended design, the game provides a highly replayable experience that keeps players coming back for more.”
- “The replayability factor is incredible, allowing for a unique experience every time you play.”