Starstruck Vagabond

About

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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 954 reviews

story132 positive mentions

grinding88 negative mentions

The writing is witty and engaging, filled with humor that keeps players entertained.
The core gameplay loop of managing the ship and delivering cargo is addictive and satisfying.
The game offers a cozy experience, making it perfect for playing while listening to podcasts or watching videos.

The gameplay can become repetitive and tedious, with many tasks feeling like busywork.
The characters often repeat dialogue, which can detract from the overall experience.
There are several bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, leading to frustration.

story
632 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
76%
3%
The story in the game is characterized by Yahtzee Croshaw's signature humor and engaging writing, featuring heartfelt moments and quirky characters that often lead to unexpected emotional depth. However, many players find the pacing uneven, with significant grind and repetitive missions overshadowing the narrative, making it feel sparse and poorly integrated into the gameplay loop. While the individual character arcs and comedic elements are praised, the overall plot is seen as lacking in urgency and depth, leading to mixed feelings about its ability to sustain interest throughout the game.
- “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, and over - 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 2/3 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 story kept me interested, but the upgrades kept me working towards something the whole game, and the pacing was surprisingly pretty good; anytime I started to get bored doing deliveries, it was time for an upgrade or time for the next story mission.”
gameplay
462 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
61%
4%
The gameplay is characterized by a repetitive yet satisfying core loop focused on ship maintenance, cargo delivery, and upgrades, which some players find therapeutic and engaging, especially when paired with the game's witty writing. However, many reviewers note that the simplicity and lack of variety can lead to tedium over time, with some mechanics feeling underdeveloped or tedious. Overall, the game appeals to those who enjoy casual, background gameplay while listening to podcasts, but may not satisfy players seeking more dynamic or diverse experiences.
- “The writing is fun, the core gameplay loop is tight, and the attempt to create a satisfying worker day routine was pulled off flawlessly!”
- “The core gameplay loop is picking up cargo, fitting it on your ship, taking it to destinations, and dropping it off.”
- “The gameplay loop is relaxing and satisfying.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
humor
192 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing and the distinctive voice of the author, particularly appealing to fans of British humor. Many players find the dialogue genuinely funny, with moments that elicit laughter and add charm to the gameplay, although some note that humor can become repetitive over time. Overall, the game's witty and engaging writing, combined with its quirky characters, creates a delightful experience that resonates well with those familiar with the developer's style.
- “The writing is excellent and made me laugh out loud on several occasions.”
- “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.”
- “The character interactions, humor, and overall dialogue are where Yahtzee’s signature style truly shines.”
- “This guy has been an abrasive, unfunny jerk and no help whatsoever since the day I met him.”
music
132 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
42%
3%
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, especially during extended gameplay, which may detract from the enjoyment of the repetitive tasks. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the game's strongest aspects, contributing to its cozy 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.”
- “The core gameplay loop is solid and entertaining, the pixel art is pleasant and colorful, and the music is excellent.”
- “The music is repetitive.”
- “For a game this big, you need to give it a solid soundtrack because you're going to 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.”
grinding
90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for its repetitiveness and lack of rewarding gameplay, with players often feeling overwhelmed by tedious tasks and missions that offer little variety or excitement. Many reviewers noted that the gameplay loop quickly becomes monotonous, requiring players to engage in the same missions repeatedly without meaningful progression or engaging worldbuilding. While some players appreciate the mix of clever writing and mundane tasks, the overall sentiment suggests that those who dislike grinding or seek a more dynamic experience may find the game frustrating.
- “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.”
- “I was hoping to get into this one, but the gameplay loop is just tedious chores and even more tedious missions.”
graphics
66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
70%
6%
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 refinement and variety, comparing them unfavorably to other titles in the genre. 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 game, funny writing, good gameplay perfect for having something to do while you're listening to podcasts and well-made pixel art graphics.”
- “All the planets are all the same and the graphics are, 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.”
- “On the flip side of that coin, the graphics being the weakest aspect is also a trend, a pattern that won’t be broken here.”
emotional
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its heartfelt and humorous storytelling, featuring a compelling narrative that culminates in an emotional ending. Players have expressed deep emotional connections to the characters, particularly through impactful moments like the loss of a crew member, which left a lasting sadness. The combination of stellar writing and a touching soundtrack enhances the emotional experience, making it both funny and poignant.
- “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.”
- “But I just finished a scene in Melinda's personal storyline that was very heartwarming and also hinted at a budding romance.”
stability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
Overall, players report a mostly 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, which can disrupt story cutscenes. The developer's rapid response to reported issues has been noted positively, indicating a commitment to improving stability.
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
38%
13%
Replayability in this game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the multiple progression paths and companion interactions reminiscent of games like Stardew Valley, others criticize the procedurally generated worlds for feeling repetitive and lacking uniqueness. The promise of "infinite replayability" often falls short due to the limited variety in environments, leading to a sense of sameness that diminishes the appeal of replaying the game.
- “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 dialog.”
- “The game offers a unique experience with different choices and outcomes, encouraging players to explore various strategies and paths in subsequent playthroughs.”
- “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 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 doesn't really appeal to me, especially if I've already been through the story beats once.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
67%
17%
The game is generally well-optimized, with users reporting no significant bugs or glitches. Players appreciate the emphasis on strategic planning and resource management, which enhances the overall 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.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Reviewers consistently praise the game's atmosphere, highlighting its captivating music, engaging writing, and well-developed characters, which collectively enhance the overall gameplay experience. Many express a strong emotional connection to the atmosphere, finding it rewarding and immersive.
- “Only six hours in and I am in love with the music, atmosphere, writing, characters, and gameplay.”
- “But for me, the gameplay and atmosphere felt more rewarding in that game.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of the game is viewed as a sincere effort rather than a cash grab, though it may not resonate with all players. Overall, it reflects a genuine attempt to engage users, despite some personal dissatisfaction.
- “To be clear, I don't think this game was a lazy cash grab by any means, just an earnest attempt that didn't quite land for me personally.”