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StarVaders

StarVaders Game Cover
98%Game Brain Score
gameplay, music
optimization, atmosphere
98% User Score Based on 1,991 reviews

Platforms

PCMac OSSteam DeckWindows
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StarVaders Game Cover

About

StarVaders is a single player action game with a anime theme. It was developed by Star★Vaders and was released on April 30, 2025. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"StarVaders" is a strategic roguelike deckbuilder with grid-based shoot-em-up combat, combining elements from games like Slay the Spire and Into the Breach. Players can discover game-breaking combos and execute devastating chain reactions to fight against alien invaders and epic boss battles. With hundreds of cards, artifacts, and upgrades, players can overcome impossible odds and engage in a crunchy, jam-packed experience.

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StarVaders screenshot
StarVaders screenshot
StarVaders screenshot
StarVaders screenshot
StarVaders screenshot
StarVaders screenshot
StarVaders screenshot
StarVaders screenshot
StarVaders screenshot
StarVaders screenshot
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98%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,991 reviews
gameplay207 positive mentions
optimization3 negative mentions
  • Engaging gameplay that combines deckbuilding with tactical grid-based combat, offering a unique twist on the genre.
  • Variety of characters and mechs, each with distinct playstyles and abilities, ensuring that no two runs feel the same.
  • High replayability with a well-paced progression system that rewards players with new cards, pilots, and challenges.
  • Some players find the game too easy, especially on lower difficulties, which may reduce long-term challenge.
  • The story and character lore are minimal and could benefit from more depth and context.
  • Occasional technical issues, such as UI bugs or performance drops during intense combat scenarios.
  • gameplay
    480 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of this roguelike deckbuilder is widely praised for its innovative mechanics, strategic depth, and engaging tactical elements, blending card play with grid-based movement. Players appreciate the variety of characters and their unique abilities, which contribute to a satisfying and addictive gameplay loop that encourages experimentation and creative combos. While some find the learning curve steep and certain mechanics overwhelming, the overall experience is described as rewarding, polished, and filled with charm, making it a standout title in the genre.

    • “This game brings me actual joy because it is not another cookie-cutter roguelike deckbuilder with one 'new' mechanic.”
    • “The gameplay is incredibly fun and has a ton of styles and features to mess around with and experiment.”
    • “The core gameplay loop involves choosing your mech and pilot, then building a deck from a vast collection of over 400 cards and artifacts.”
    • “The gameplay is relatively easy to learn, but very clearly ramps up in terms of complexity and variety, depending on what you're looking for.”
    • “The mechanics are simple and quick to pick up, but do have some depth.”
    • “Gameplay is fine, but didn't click for me.”
  • music
    289 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its energetic and catchy tracks that enhance the gameplay experience. The soundtrack is described as a "banger," featuring a mix of styles that complement the game's aesthetic and mechanics, although some tracks can become repetitive over time. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and engagement.

    • “Beautiful game from demo to now, the music and art not only works well and is cute; they add scene and agency without overlapping/fighting.”
    • “The music is incredible, just listen to the song that plays in the trailer for a taste, probably the first time that I actually bothered to buy the soundtrack for a game on Steam.”
    • “The soundtrack complements the action well, with energetic chiptune music that enhances the sci-fi atmosphere without overwhelming the gameplay.”
    • “The music specifically -- I really like it but it sounds off, like it isn't mastered properly or like there's a blanket over it.”
    • “The art, music, story, and even concept are mediocre to bland.”
    • “Visual & audio repetition: after multiple runs, backgrounds and enemies start to blend together, and the soundtrack can get repetitive.”
  • graphics
    144 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their vibrant and charming art style, which many reviewers describe as both appealing and functional. While some players express a preference for different aesthetics, the overall consensus highlights the game's clean visuals, smooth animations, and engaging character designs that enhance the gameplay experience. The combination of appealing graphics and a strong soundtrack contributes to a polished and enjoyable atmosphere, making it a standout in the roguelike genre.

    • “The visuals are solid, the depth and variety is there.”
    • “The art style is so sick, absolutely underrated gem.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, the soundtrack is a banger, and the new sound effects are really satisfying to hear, please stop reading this and go play the game already.”
    • “The only bad thing about the game I have seen so far is the art style; it's grating and I don't like it at all - but this doesn't take away from the thing that actually matters, the gameplay.”
    • “At first I was a bit skeptical because the graphics give off a mobile game vibe; glad I gave it a chance.”
    • “My first time seeing it, I went 'what is this, Slay the Spire for kids?' because of the art style.”
  • story
    78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story revolves around an alien invasion, with character backstories revealed through gameplay, particularly after winning or losing runs. While some players appreciate the gradual storytelling and character development, others find the narrative shallow and presentation lacking, often viewing it as a secondary aspect to the engaging gameplay. Overall, the story adds a layer of intrigue but is not the primary focus, with many players enjoying the mechanics and visuals more than the plot itself.

    • “There is a story about an alien invasion, and each character has a backstory that is revealed when you win or lose a run.”
    • “The execution is stellar, the pacing and unlocks are great, the end of any run drip-feeds you story, ala Hades, and the challenge starts gentle and ramps up to crazy heights pretty quickly if you're ready for it.”
    • “So many possibilities, so much flavor, and I haven't even mentioned that the story and writing are interesting and genuinely moving at times.”
    • “The overarching story and character lore feel a bit shallow—don’t expect deep world-building.”
    • “There’s also a story, but I think the presentation is poor.”
    • “The story is not that great.”
  • replayability
    67 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game boasts high replayability due to its diverse characters, unique playstyles, and various difficulty options, allowing players to experiment with different strategies and unlock new content. While some players noted a potential drop in replay value after mastering certain aspects, many found the variety and depth sufficient to keep them engaged for extended play sessions. The combination of a satisfying gameplay loop, charming visuals, and a wealth of content contributes to its strong replayability, making it a standout in the roguelike genre.

    • “Great variety and replayability, and a surprising amount of depth and difficulty.”
    • “The replayability of this game is one of the best I've seen out of any of the roguelikes I've played.”
    • “The replayability is insane; this title manages to sweeten the pot after every run, always unlocking something new.”
    • “There are other games for half the price with 5x the replayability.”
    • “I beat the hardest difficulty pretty early on, which made the replayability of the game drop.”
    • “The gameplay is fun and original, but lacks replayability.”
  • character development
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is highlighted by its appealing and diverse character designs, which evoke classic mecha anime styles and contribute to an engaging atmosphere. Players appreciate the unique progression system that focuses on character growth outside of battles, alongside a charming narrative that enhances the overall experience. The combination of fun character mechanics, humor, and a rich visual presentation adds depth to the gameplay, making it a standout feature.

    • “Some of the best roguelite deckbuilder fun in years; the elegant intricacies of Slay the Spire meet the positioning puzzles of Into the Breach, with charming character designs, an exceptional soundtrack, and a surprising wealth of content to see and unlock.”
    • “Fascinating and diverse character design, incredibly fun moment-to-moment gameplay solving each turn as its own puzzle, and a fun and engaging art style make this one of the most pleasant surprises of my recent gaming time.”
    • “Unlike games like Fire Emblem or Ogre Battle, which blend in- and out-of-battle character development, Metal Slug Tactics keeps character progression mostly outside of battles.”
    • “The gameplay, character designs, music, and atmosphere are all truly top of the line with an absurd amount of variety between each of the different mechs and pilots.”
    • “Very solid roguelike game with a very unique combat system, charming character design, and good soundtrack. I'm not great at roguelikes despite loving them, but this one has a very nice learning curve and is very good at informing you what does what.”
  • optimization
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game is praised for its smooth performance on both PC and Steam Deck, making it accessible for players with lower specs. However, some users have reported significant performance issues, particularly during the final boss fight, which can lead to crashes and loss of progress. There is a desire for future optimizations, such as faster runs and adjustable graphics settings, to enhance the experience without compromising the game's atmosphere.

    • “I like the tactics and deckbuilding mechanics in this game, and it runs smoothly on Steam Deck, for those who want to play it on-the-go.”
    • “- Smooth performance: runs well on PC and Steam Deck; quick runs are perfect for any schedule.”
    • “It will hold us until Slay the Spire 2 is released, but I am pretty sure that we will always come back to this game. A minor improvement to add in the future is the possibility for faster runs and optimizations. I am playing on a PC with an Intel Graphics 2000, and it still rocks. So if there are any game enjoyers that suffer the same fate as me and have even lower specs, it would be good to allow them the chance to play it as well, like lowering the effects and adding skip fights and faster animations. I hope it would not kill the atmosphere, which it shouldn't.”
    • “The only complaint I have is, surprisingly, performance.”
    • “Interesting gameplay elements with just about the right amount of complexity, optimization potential, and dopamine generation.”
  • atmosphere
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, featuring impressive art and a fantastic chiptune soundtrack that enhances the sci-fi experience without detracting from gameplay. Reviewers appreciate the variety in character designs and mechs, contributing to an engaging and enjoyable overall vibe. Despite some suggestions for performance optimizations, the game's atmosphere remains a standout element that keeps players coming back.

    • “The art is great, the music is fantastic, and the overall atmosphere is pretty rad, too.”
    • “The soundtrack complements the action well, with energetic chiptune music that enhances the sci-fi atmosphere without overwhelming the gameplay.”
    • “It will hold us until Slay the Spire 2 is released, but I am pretty sure that we will always come back to this game. A minor improvement to add in the future is a possibility for faster runs and optimizations. I am playing on a PC with an Intel Graphics 2000, and it still rocks. So if there are any game enjoyers that suffer the same fate as me and have even lower specs, it would be good to allow them the chance to play it as well, like lowering the effects and adding skip fights and faster animations. I hope it would not kill the atmosphere, which it should.”
    • “The gameplay, character designs, music, and atmosphere are all truly top of the line with an absurd amount of variety between each of the different mechs and pilots.”
  • grinding
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some encounters can feel tedious, especially against upgraded enemies on higher difficulties, the overall grind is manageable and not overly repetitive, allowing for progress without excessive grinding.

    • “Some enemies might feel insanely tedious when you first face them (more so their upgraded variants on higher difficulties), but it becomes a part of the encounter to puzzle out.”
    • “Only for it to be destroyed is super unforgiving as well as a bit tedious.”
    • “Hate grinding?”
  • stability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game demonstrates solid stability with enjoyable gameplay and unique character mechanics. However, players have reported minor bugs, particularly with targeting and controls on the Steam Deck, which can occasionally disrupt the experience. Despite these issues, the game remains well-received and considered worth the price.

    • “Runs great, and each character and mech is really unique and fun to learn and play.”
    • “The game is a little buggy on Steam Deck; sometimes I have to touch the screen and then switch back to button controls in order to be able to select cards, but that's literally my only complaint.”
    • “Plays very well, but it's a little buggy with targeting, and the wording of cards feels a little loose.”
    • “The second pilot instead freezes the player's rightmost card at the end of the turn, saving it for next turn--and allowing you to salvage burned cards.”
  • monetization
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn skepticism, with some users questioning the authenticity of positive reviews, suggesting they may be influenced by paid advertising. While the game is functional, the presence of ads promoting its acclaim has led to a lack of trust in the overall reception.

    • “The positive reviews feel like a form of bought advertising; I simply don't believe a game this mediocre could be received so well.”
    • “I appreciate that it's a functional game, but honestly, I would have just not reviewed it if ads didn't keep showing up claiming how positive the reviews are.”
  • humor
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is praised for its humor, with players finding it hilarious and appreciating the clever use of text and character designs. The flexible mutations and comedic elements contribute to an enjoyable experience, making it a standout feature.

    • “This game is hilarious! I see in the comments that many reached a goal with bombs, but the mutations are quite flexible.”
    • “The art is great; I like the character designs and the humor in the text.”
  • emotional
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting its depth and the ability to evoke varied feelings, though some find the darker art style and music emotionally taxing. Overall, the game elicits a range of emotional responses, making it a rich experience for many.

    • “I could probably write five different positive reviews of this game touching on entirely different points every time.”
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17h Median play time
26h Average play time
10-40h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 12 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

StarVaders is a action game with anime theme.

StarVaders is available on PC, Mac OS, Steam Deck and Windows.

On average players spend around 26 hours playing StarVaders.

StarVaders was released on April 30, 2025.

StarVaders was developed by Star★Vaders.

StarVaders has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its optimization.

StarVaders is a single player game.

Similar games include Cobalt Core, Shogun Showdown, Monster Train, SpellRogue, Vault of the Void and others.