Starstruck Vagabond

88%
Game Brain Score Based on 477 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • humor
Starstruck Vagabond Game Cover
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In "Starstruck Vagabond," a story-driven work/life simulator, players maintain a spaceship and deliver cargo between star systems. After awakening from a 2000-year sleep, the protagonist assembles a crew and becomes entangled in a conflict involving a ominous purple egg and two warring factions. With a Stardew Valley-inspired approach, players will forge relationships, manage their ship, and uncover new purposes in this unknown galaxy.

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 477 reviews
story66 positive mentions
grinding44 negative mentions
  • The writing is witty and engaging, filled with humor that keeps players entertained.
  • The gameplay loop of managing the ship, delivering cargo, and upgrading components is addictive and satisfying.
  • The game offers a cozy experience, making it perfect for playing while listening to podcasts or watching shows.
  • Gameplay can become repetitive and grindy, with many tasks feeling monotonous over time.
  • The characters can be annoying, often interrupting gameplay with dialogue that becomes repetitive.
  • Some mechanics, like the inventory system and navigation, can feel clunky and unintuitive, leading to frustration.
  • story316 mentions

    The game's story is characterized by Yahtzee Croshaw's signature humor and engaging character arcs, providing a mix of heartfelt moments and comedic twists. However, many players find the pacing uneven, with significant grind required to progress the narrative, leading to repetitive gameplay that can detract from the overall experience. While the writing and character interactions are praised, some feel that the story lacks depth and urgency, making it a challenge to stay invested amidst the grind of side missions.

    • “The story is heartfelt, cozy, and very funny.”
    • “Plus, the story showcases Yahtzee's ability to tell a fun and lighthearted story, only to gut punch you when you least expect it.”
    • “The writing is amazing and I can't wait to see how the story unfolds.”
    • “You will spend the first half of the game repeatedly grinding the same missions over and over again - the same missions, structured in exactly the same way, in a completely lifeless universe with absolutely nothing interesting to see.”
    • “However, it is also extremely poorly paced - you get almost no story for the first two-thirds of the game, and then the moment it gets interesting, and layered, and more than just 'quirky character has simple quirky character arc,' it ends.”
    • “The core gameplay loop of hauling boxes around felt repetitive after a while, and there was a lot of slogging through same-y deliveries/rescues/planets before you got the next drip of story.”
  • gameplay231 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by a repetitive yet satisfying core loop focused on ship maintenance, cargo delivery, and upgrades, appealing to players who enjoy casual, background gaming experiences. While the mechanics are simple and engaging, some players find the lack of variety and slow pacing leads to tedium over time. The writing and humor enhance the experience, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate a blend of lighthearted storytelling and laid-back gameplay.

    • “The mechanics of upgrading your ship, as well as keeping it repaired, are simple yet very satisfying.”
    • “The charm of the writing and the addictive gameplay make it a game that's easy to boot up and let the hours fly by.”
    • “The core gameplay loop is picking up cargo, fitting it on your ship, taking it to destinations, and dropping it off.”
    • “The gameplay was starting to get very repetitive.”
    • “I was hoping to get into this one, but the gameplay loop is just tedious chores and even more tedious missions.”
    • “Unfortunately, the core gameplay loop got old fast, the pacing feels very slow, and while the writing is quite good, you don't actually encounter it that often.”
  • humor96 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing and the distinctive voice of the author, often drawing comparisons to British humor and Yahtzee's signature style. Players appreciate the blend of absurdity, wit, and heartfelt moments, with many finding themselves laughing out loud at the dialogue and character interactions. However, some reviewers noted that humor can become repetitive over time, and while the writing is generally strong, not every joke lands effectively.

    • “The humor is well written and the author's voice is very present.”
    • “The writing is very witty and funny (as Yahtzee is most known for) and the story moments and character interactions are all a delightful addition to the core gameplay.”
    • “Genuinely funny writing (not just snort a little bit of air out your nose funny, but actually laughing funny) engaging and fun gameplay and a lovely soundtrack that's already stuck in my head.”
    • “This guy has been an abrasive, unfunny jerk and no help whatsoever since the day I met him.”
  • music66 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its charm and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many players finding it enjoyable and fitting for the game's atmosphere. However, some reviewers noted that the soundtrack can become repetitive over time, which may detract from the enjoyment during longer play sessions. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the game's strongest aspects, contributing to its relaxing and engaging vibe.

    • “I kept intending to play this as a second screen game while listening to a podcast, but the problem I ran into was that the music and sound design were so enjoyable that I usually just played the game by itself and enjoyed the vibe.”
    • “The music is stellar; the soundtrack has many bops but also quite a few emotional tracks that added to events throughout the game.”
    • “Genuinely funny writing, engaging and fun gameplay, and a lovely soundtrack that's already stuck in my head.”
    • “The music is repetitive.”
    • “For a game this big, you need to give it a solid soundtrack because you're gonna be doing a lot of repetitive tasks, and if the soundtrack isn't dynamic, it reminds you of the tedium you're doing and the game isn't fun anymore.”
    • “The bad - while I did mostly enjoy the soundtrack, it often was extremely repetitive.”
  • grinding45 mentions

    The reviews highlight a pervasive sense of tedium and repetitiveness in the game's grinding mechanics, with players expressing frustration over the lack of variety in missions and the tedious nature of inventory management. While some appreciate the initial fun of the gameplay loop, many find the grind excessive and unfulfilling, leading to a feeling of wasted time rather than rewarding progression. Overall, the game seems best suited for those who enjoy repetitive tasks and can tolerate a significant amount of grind.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You will spend the first half of the game repeatedly grinding the same missions over, and over, and over - the same missions, structured in exactly the same way, in a completely lifeless universe with absolutely nothing interesting to see.”
    • “Lastly, and this is my other major complaint along with the price, the game feels too grindy and too big spatially for how much is here.”
    • “The gameplay itself is tedious yet oddly addicting, but where this game truly shines is in the writing.”
  • graphics33 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the charming pixel art and unique 2D aesthetic that contribute to its fun and engaging atmosphere. However, some players find the visuals lacking in detail and variety, comparing them unfavorably to other indie titles. Overall, while the graphics may not be cutting-edge, they effectively support the game's mechanics and writing, creating a nostalgic and enjoyable experience.

    • “Fantastic pixel artwork.”
    • “The graphics are both pretty and effective for communicating the mechanics of the game.”
    • “Great soundtrack, great gameplay loop, and cozy writing/visuals lend an instantly nostalgic feel.”
    • “All the planets are all the same and the graphics are uh... well, let's just say that seven days a stranger has better looks.”
    • “The graphics are muddy and indistinct and big, blown up detail shots are few, far between, and just not impressive.”
    • “Though I’m not solely driven by graphics, the lack of refinement here is noticeable.”
  • emotional10 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartfelt and humorous storytelling, featuring compelling characters and a genuinely touching ending. Players report experiencing significant emotional impacts, such as the loss of a crew member, which lingers long after the game is played. The combination of stellar music and well-crafted personal storylines enhances the emotional depth, making for a memorable experience.

    • “The crew members are all brilliant, even the controversial Magu-chan, while the story is compelling and leads up to a genuinely emotional ending.”
    • “Losing Melinda to the crew death on my first save dealt an emotional blow that I really wasn't ready for and actually makes me still sad about to this day.”
    • “The writing goes above and beyond what I could expect, being both funny and emotional.”
  • stability5 mentions

    Overall, players report a largely stable experience with minimal bugs, particularly praising the game's performance and controls. However, some users have encountered random glitches, especially related to procedural generation, though the developer is actively addressing these issues with timely patches.

    • “I've put in 41 hours as of finishing the game and had a mostly bug-free experience.”
    • “It runs great and the gamepad controls are fantastic.”
    • “There are also some random bugs and glitches, mostly related to weird unforeseen stuff happening with the procedural generation that can break some story cutscenes, but the developer has been patching these at a wildly rapid pace. I mentioned a bug I had on Discord, didn't even ping him directly, and he @ me with a fix in under an hour.”
    • “Bugs and glitches are what ultimately sank this game for me.”
    • “I put 20-30 hours into Landlord Super, an extremely buggy game where you literally build houses brick by painstaking brick.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    The game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the multiple progression paths and companion interactions that encourage exploration, others find the procedurally generated worlds repetitive and lacking in variety, diminishing the incentive to replay after experiencing the story. Overall, the potential for replay value exists, but it heavily depends on individual player preferences and the novelty of the generated content.

    • “A charming sim in the same vein as Stardew Valley, with multiple progression paths and various companion NPCs. You won't see everything in one playthrough, which provides some nice replay value.”
    • “+ a lot of replay value between systems, hunting, and dialogue.”
    • “I'm dubious as to its replay value, as it suffers the common drawback of procedurally generated worlds. The fact that it's the same five ingredients shaken up slightly already makes a lot of sectors feel very same and unremarkable. The thought of playing this game again with a whole new batch of samey sectors cooked up doesn't really appeal to me, especially if I've already been through the story beats once.”
    • “The replay value is lacking due to the repetitive nature of the gameplay and environments.”
    • “Once you've experienced the main story, there isn't much incentive to dive back in, as the side quests and additional content feel like filler.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is well-received, with users reporting smooth performance and no significant bugs or glitches. The design encourages strategic planning for resource management, enhancing the gameplay experience.

    • “Seems pretty optimized and I never came across a bug or glitch.”
    • “Optimization is the name of the game, ordering things needed for the next 2-3 areas you're visiting and making sure you have a delivery job that goes to those areas.”
    • “Seems pretty optimized and I never came across a bug/glitch.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with players expressing a deep appreciation for its music, writing, and character development, which collectively enhance the overall gameplay experience. Many find the immersive environment to be rewarding and engaging.

    • “But for me, the gameplay and atmosphere felt more rewarding in that game.”
    • “Only six hours in and I am in love with the music, atmosphere, writing, characters, and gameplay.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game is viewed as sincere rather than exploitative, with reviewers indicating that it doesn't feel like a cash grab, though it may not resonate with everyone.

    • “The monetization system feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
    • “I appreciate the effort put into the game, but the constant push for in-game purchases really detracts from the overall experience.”
    • “While the game has potential, the reliance on microtransactions feels exploitative and takes away from the enjoyment.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

21hMedian play time
20hAverage play time
10-40hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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