starseed pilgrim
- April 15, 2013
- droqen
- 6h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io StoreStarseed Pilgrim is a unique and challenging pixelated indie game. You'll jump, grow crystals, and solve puzzles in a mysterious, ever-changing world. With no set objectives, the game encourages exploration and experimentation for a truly distinct experience.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a unique experience of exploration and discovery, rewarding players for figuring out mechanics on their own.
- It features a beautiful and atmospheric design, with engaging sound and visuals that enhance the gameplay experience.
- Players who enjoy challenging puzzle-platformers will find satisfaction in mastering the game's mechanics and overcoming its obstacles.
- The lack of clear instructions and guidance can lead to frustration, making it difficult for players to understand how to progress.
- Some players find the gameplay repetitive and tedious after the initial learning phase, leading to a sense of boredom.
- The game may feel overly simplistic or pretentious to those who prefer more traditional gaming experiences with structured narratives.
- gameplay61 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by simple yet intriguing mechanics that encourage exploration and discovery, with players building and interacting with platforms across various levels. While some find the trial-and-error process joyless and the initial learning curve steep, others appreciate the depth and emergent complexity that unfolds as they progress. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of minimalist design and mechanical experimentation, though opinions vary on its long-term engagement and enjoyment.
“It's a very lean puzzle game with some simple mechanics that, given enough time, are easy to understand and provide you with a somewhat meaningful sense of player progression alongside its smaller unlockables.”
“The mechanics are interesting to experiment with, and the overall design feels well thought-through.”
“The gameplay focuses around the attributes of the different block types, and how best to use them to stay ahead of the black.”
“The mechanics you discover are simple, and you'll spend a decent amount of time figuring them out in what I consider to be a pretty joyless trial-and-error process.”
“The graphics are mediocre, the sound is okay, the control response isn't great, and the gameplay is grindy and aggravatingly luck-based.”
“The lack of explanation combined with gameplay that is largely driven by random numbers and a time limit all serves to pad out a game that without it would be over in roughly 30-45 minutes.”
- story16 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The story in the game is described as vague and often delivered through poetry, leading to mixed reactions from players. While some find the mysterious narrative intriguing, others feel it lacks depth and clarity, making it tedious to engage with. Overall, the story serves as a backdrop to the gameplay, which is praised for its mechanics but criticized for using obscurity as a means to mask a flimsy narrative.
“It's a game with interesting gameplay and an interesting story.”
“Most of the story is told through poetry.”
“Surely it's like the other puzzle games; a mystery upon the surface, but a series of sensical conclusions once you get beneath the ephemeral introduction (which serves as both the opening lines to the story and your tutorial).”
“I was intrigued and bought it because I saw it described in very vague terms in a video, but after playing it for myself, all I can say is that it is intensely boring and it would take far too much time to progress deeply - time I am not willing to give it for a few sentences of trivial 'story' or philosophy.”
“This game uses being mysterious as an excuse for a flimsy story and to withhold explanation.”
“While the later stages are very strange and the story is simply vague, the game mechanics are brilliant.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are described as basic and abstract, which may lead some players to overlook its depth and clever mechanics. While the aesthetic is considered beautiful and relaxing by some, others find it lacking compared to modern gaming standards, leading to mixed feelings about its visual appeal. Overall, the game seems to cater to those who appreciate its artistic qualities rather than expecting high-end graphics.
“Very clever mechanics, sound design, and aesthetic leave this game beautiful and relaxing, but don't let your guard down.”
“When I first looked at screenshots, I saw random squares in patterns that were aesthetically pleasing.”
“Recommended to those who would appreciate Starseed Pilgrim as a piece of fascinating artwork, the kind of person who wants games to travel the route of James Joyce into oft-inaccessible academia.”
“The graphics are meh, the sound is okay, the control-reaction isn't great, and the gameplay is grindy and aggravatingly luck-based.”
“A great game (granted abstracted away most details and fancy graphics expected from modern games by the masses); completely misunderstood by those that only played for an hour or two.”
“When I loaded it and moved around, I instantly closed it and reopened it again because I thought something was wrong and that someone's publisher, affiliated graphics card company, and third-party Steam wannabe were going to throw lawyers at everyone within suing distance for not getting their due but this hasn't happened as far as I know.”
- grinding8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is described as tedious and repetitive, with players feeling that it becomes increasingly aggravating and luck-based over time. While some enjoy the exploration and farming elements, many find the experience ultimately punishing and lacking in variety, leading to boredom after initial enjoyment. Overall, the grind is seen as a barrier to sustained engagement, overshadowing the game's interesting mechanics.
“The graphics are meh, the sound is okay, the control reaction isn't great, and the gameplay is grindy and aggravatingly luck-based.”
“It manages to be simultaneously tedious and punishing, pressuring and sluggish.”
“After you've managed to understand the core concept of the game, it's repetitive and quite tedious to say the least, and I don't see how this will change over time.”
- music7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for its immersive and atmospheric qualities, effectively enhancing the overall experience and filling the game's open world with a sense of isolation. Many players find the soundtrack so enjoyable that they leave the game running just to listen to it, despite frustrations with the gameplay itself. Overall, the combination of ambient music and audio effects contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
“Also, an immersive soundtrack and audio effects.”
“My play hours on this one are also high because I used to leave it running on my computer just for the background music, haha.”
“The ambient music fills out the open/empty world and isolated sensation.”
“This is not that though; while the presentation and music might suggest so in the beginning, the gameplay becomes an endurance test of frustration.”
“The ambient music fills out the open, empty world and creates an isolated sensation.”
“My play hours on this one are also high because I used to leave it running on my computer just for the background music.”
- atmosphere5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Starseed Pilgrim" is characterized by a minimalist and slightly foreboding ambiance that enhances the gameplay experience. Users appreciate the haunting quality of the environment, which complements the game's challenging puzzles and strategic elements, while also evoking a sense of mystery that invites curiosity and exploration. Overall, the atmospheric soundtrack and design contribute significantly to the game's appeal, making it a memorable experience.
“A great example of how to teach incredibly esoteric gameplay mechanics organically, Starseed Pilgrim does a great job of rewarding your curiosity and forcing you to re-evaluate your tactics, all while putting out a slightly foreboding, minimalist atmosphere.”
“The genius gameplay it has with its core mechanics and atmospheric soundtrack will relive the memories of why you like playing games.”
“There seems to be an atmosphere of mystery surrounding this game, but I think that hinders talking about the game at all.”
“Haunting atmosphere, challenging dynamic puzzles, and some really great subtle strategic planning all feature prominently here.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is often derived from its chaotic nature, with some players finding amusement in the negative aspects and feeling as though the developers are playfully mocking them. This blend of frustration and humor creates a unique experience that resonates with certain audiences.
“The negative reviews of this game are so funny to me.”
“I also can't shake the image of the game maker just chuckling behind my back while I try to make sense of this mess.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
While the game is noted for its unique and intriguing qualities, many users feel it lacks significant replay value, suggesting that once completed, there is little incentive to revisit it.
“A strange and interesting game, although it has little replay value.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express that the game evokes a strong sense of nostalgia, allowing them to relive the joy and innocence of childhood, which enhances their overall emotional experience.
“This game made me feel like a kid again, in the best possible way.”
