Starward

About

Starward is a single player and multiplayer role playing game. It was developed by Game Blender and was released on April 24, 2024. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Entropy Storm-Version 2.4 Info Roundup About the GameThe Steam version of 《Starward》 is an Asian server version, and the account is not compatible with other servers. STARWARD collaborates with BLAZBLUE: ENTROPY EFFECT, with the crossover character Reki making her debut! Brand-new skins for Shadow and Rhine will be available, seasonal winter and Lunar New Year events are underway, and new cha…

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75%

Audience ScoreBased on 615 reviews

gameplay34 positive mentions

story6 negative mentions

The game offers a fun and engaging combat experience reminiscent of the Gundam Versus series, with a variety of characters and playstyles.
The gacha system is relatively generous, allowing players to obtain characters and upgrades without needing to spend money, making it accessible for free-to-play players.
Recent updates have improved server stability and added English language support, enhancing the overall experience for international players.

The game suffers from significant lag and high ping issues for players outside of Asia, making online matches frustrating and often unplayable.
Character balance is inconsistent, with some characters being overpowered, leading to a pay-to-win perception as players may need to spend money to compete effectively.
The tutorial and initial gameplay experience can be confusing due to language barriers and a lack of clear instructions, particularly for new players unfamiliar with the genre.

gameplay
108 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
66%
3%
The gameplay of Starward is generally well-received, characterized by fast-paced, engaging mechanics reminiscent of the Gundam Versus series, featuring both 1v1 and 2v2 modes. Players appreciate the unique character designs and the depth of combat, although some criticize the gacha mechanics that can hinder access to certain skills and characters. Overall, while the gameplay is fun and rewarding, it is marred by balance issues and the presence of pay-to-win elements.
- “Starward is a 3D fighting game that integrates mecha girls and classic GvG combat gameplay, with 1v1 and 2v2 modes as the core gameplay.”
- “The gameplay experience is top-notch, boasting polished visuals, responsive controls, and dazzling effects.”
- “Starward remains a fantastic choice for fans of the Gundam Versus series, offering gameplay that closely mirrors its inspiration.”
- “Gameplay was really bad.”
- “I was expecting gameplay like Armored Core, high-paced combat, smooth insane fluid movements, but it was a massive disappointment compared to other mecha games.”
- “Visually appealing, yes, but gameplay feels clunky and repetitive.”
story
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
55%
27%
The reviews indicate a mixed reception regarding the game's story, with many players noting a significant lack of narrative depth and content. While some appreciate the gameplay mechanics and visuals, they express disappointment over the absence of a cohesive story mode or lore to enhance character development. Overall, the game is seen as primarily focused on combat and mechanics rather than delivering a compelling narrative experience.
- “I was expecting to be a full-on battler, but there is an actual story mode where you can grind for pulls, which is cool.”
- “Game play is really good; I hope more story content is released because I've finished the story.”
- “Stellar graphics, engaging mechanics, and a story that's out of this world!”
- “It has no story, fully capitalizing on the fact that it is just another cash grab.”
- “It's hard to know the charm of the character because there's no story to support the explanation.”
- “The campaign mode is very lacking in content, with no story mode or lore.”
graphics
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
31%
16%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the high-quality visuals, smooth animations, and engaging character designs, particularly in the anime style. However, some users criticize the graphics as being shallow or misleading, likening them to overly bright and simplistic aesthetics found in arcade machines. Overall, while the graphics are often described as stunning and polished, they are sometimes overshadowed by gameplay issues and a lack of depth in the overall experience.
- “Amazing graphics, really cool finishers with simplistic animations, very balanced PvP and PvE!”
- “Stellar graphics, engaging mechanics, and a story that's out of this world!”
- “The gameplay experience is top-notch, boasting polished visuals, responsive controls, and dazzling effects.”
- “As far as mobile apps go, they actually put 3D graphics in, which may end up misleading people into thinking this is a real game; it's not.”
- “The game visuals and the game itself are incredibly shallow... think of them as the too-bright, colorful, thin plastic cabinet dress theme on a poker machine at the casino.”
- “Mecha musume honkai impact aesthetic mobile game slop.”
character development
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
36%
21%
Character development in the game is marked by a mix of appealing designs and generic elements, with many players praising the variety and aesthetic quality of the character designs, while some criticize them for being derivative or overly reliant on fan service. The gameplay experience is often overshadowed by concerns over character balance and the influence of monetization strategies, leading to a perception that character effectiveness varies significantly. Overall, while the character designs are visually striking, they may lack originality and depth in terms of individual character development.
- “Beautiful character designs and tons of variety.”
- “Character designs are good and all have pretty fancy actions.”
- “Character design in Starward is another highlight.”
- “Some may be put off by some of the fan service-y character designs.”
- “Character design-wise, they are quite a bit too generic.”
- “The character designs and Chinese voice lines have very heavy (if not straight copies) from other games of the Hoyo variety, and some weapons, like Katerina's, are literally taken straight from the Gundam series (Barbatos).”
monetization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
20%
50%
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, with players noting the presence of in-game purchases like starter packs and monthly passes. While some find the monetization not overly oppressive, others express concerns about it leaning towards pay-to-win mechanics and suggest that the game would benefit from a more thoughtful approach to monetization and localization. Overall, the monetization model detracts from the game's potential enjoyment.
- “The monetization isn’t oppressive.”
- “I prefer how League of Legends handles the monetization.”
- “The best options for in-game purchases are the cheapest starter pack and the monthly pass.”
- “It has no story, fully capitalizing on the fact that it is just another cash grab.”
- “If this game was properly ported and didn't include any microtransactions, it would be a decent game to spend some time on during breaks.”
- “But sadly the monetization isn't the best and it leans into pay-to-win.”
optimization
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The game's optimization is generally praised for its smooth performance and ability to run on older devices, ensuring a stutter-free experience during gameplay. However, some users note the need for latency improvements, particularly in PvP scenarios, while the frequent updates and balance adjustments contribute to a dynamic competitive environment. Overall, it strikes a balance between accessibility and depth, appealing to both casual players and competitive gamers.
- “Constant updates – every 3 weeks a new character releases with balance adjustments made to characters depending on their performance during the season.”
- “The game goes hard, smooth performance and movements with a skill ceiling that's simple at a glance but has an awesome amount of depth for advanced players.”
- “It can run even on 6-7 year old phones, which is impressive for performance.”
- “Need a lot of latency optimization.”
- “A game for cowards optimized by cowards to improve your cowardly behavior experience.”
- “...oh so about performance.. it can run even on 6-7 year old phones, what do you expect?”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
83%
Overall, reviews indicate that grinding in this game is less tedious compared to other titles, with many appreciating the absence of excessive material farming and the ease of daily tasks. The inclusion of a single-player mode provides a rewarding alternative for resource gathering, making the experience more enjoyable for players who dislike traditional grinding mechanics. However, some still find the arcade mode primarily focused on item farming, which lacks interactivity.
- “If you're a big EXVS fan like me, give it a shot, because for a gacha game, it's fun and not too grindy like some of the more greedy gacha games out there right now.”
- “Grinding is excessive, offering little reward.”
- “Arcade mode is just for farming items, not that interactive.”
- “Thank god this game has a fine single-player aspect to it that acts as both a tutorial and great alternative for grinding resources and pull tickets.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The music in the game is generally praised for its quality, with some users noting it "goes hard" and enhances the overall experience. However, frustrations arise from the inability to adjust the volume at the title screen, leading to discomfort for players. Overall, while the music and visuals are commendable, they are overshadowed by the game's technical shortcomings.
- “Music and visuals are rather good.”
- “This game really gives me vibes of a gacha game, but with good music.”
- “The game doesn't let you access the settings at the title screen to turn down the master volume, so I lost a couple of eardrums while waiting for the game to patch with the awful title music.”
- “I had to spam 'play' to open the game, but even then, I'm only greeted by a static background and music with nothing to press to create an account or log in.”
- “The music goes hard.”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is described as a thrilling experience that combines adrenaline-pumping action with deep narrative elements reminiscent of a Final Fantasy saga. Players feel a mix of excitement and heartbreak, particularly due to gameplay mechanics that can lead to frustrating delays, and the disappointment of accessibility issues for certain audiences. Overall, it evokes a sense of adventure and emotional investment akin to being a "space cowboy."
- “Thrilling more than an afternoon coffee break, 星之翼 spikes adrenaline like a hyperactive sonic, yet with the emotional depth of a Final Fantasy saga.”
- “This galactic joyride, known to us earthlings as 星之翼, made me feel like a space cowboy on a caffeine rush!”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is well-received, with players finding the 2v2 PvP situations amusing and appreciating the lighthearted elements, such as jester awards and funny reviews. The combination of cute characters and comedic moments adds to the overall enjoyment, despite some challenges in gameplay mechanics.
- “The 2v2 PvP situation is funny.”
- “Just give either jester awards, hot takes awards, or think that this review is funny.”
- “It's good, not gonna lie, and also cute and funny.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
Players appreciate that all characters become accessible after obtaining just one copy, making it friendly for free-to-play users. However, the lack of diverse gameplay systems and a heavy focus on PvP limits overall replayability, leading to a somewhat stagnant experience.
- “All the characters are playable after only pulling one copy, so you're not completely missing out as a free-to-play player.”
- “The game offers multiple paths and choices, making each playthrough feel unique and engaging.”
- “With various difficulty levels and challenges, there's always a reason to jump back in and try something new.”
- “Otherwise, it needs dorm systems; the replayability is non-existent. It's a 100% PvP game.”
- “All the characters are playable after only pulling 1 copy, so you're not completely missing out if you're free-to-play.”