Starward

78%
Game Brain Score Based on 287 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
Starward Game Cover
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The Steam version of 《Starward》 is an Asian server version, and the account is not compatible with other servers. Season 5 will begin on January 2, 2025 !! - New Season Pass - 3 additional characters (Volkia, Rhine, Rota) - 3 additional characters' costumes (Snowowl, Xiaoling, Qiuyu) - 4 additional characters' colors (Volkia, Rhine, Rota, Elfin) - Matchmaking for different region - New game…

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

78%
Audience ScoreBased on 287 reviews
gameplay18 positive mentions
story3 negative mentions
  • The game offers a fun and engaging combat system reminiscent of the Gundam EXVS series, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre.
  • The gacha system is relatively generous, allowing players to obtain characters without excessive spending, and there are trial characters available for testing before pulling.
  • The recent addition of North American servers has improved the gameplay experience for players outside of Asia, reducing lag and enhancing matchmaking.
  • 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 problematic, with some characters being overpowered while others feel underwhelming, leading to an uneven competitive experience.
  • The lack of diverse content beyond PvP and the absence of a story mode or lore can make the game feel repetitive and lacking in depth.
  • gameplay49 mentions

    The gameplay is generally well-received, offering fast-paced, engaging mechanics reminiscent of the Gundam EXVS series, though some players note a lack of fluidity and nuance compared to its predecessor. While the gacha system introduces some pay-to-win elements and character unlocks, many find the core combat enjoyable and visually appealing, with a mix of familiar and unique character designs. However, issues like server connectivity and balance concerns detract from the overall experience for some players.

    • “The gameplay experience is top-notch, boasting polished visuals, responsive controls, and dazzling effects.”
    • “It's a fun 3D fighting game with genuinely good characters and an interesting mechanic that I was skeptical about at first, but it actually makes a lot of sense once you get the hang of it.”
    • “Starward remains a fantastic choice for fans of the Gundam versus series, offering gameplay that closely mirrors its inspiration.”
    • “The core problem of the game is the character gacha mechanic; some of the skills are locked behind a paywall, and you need to roll to get them.”
    • “I'd rate it 3/10, 8/10 if I didn't have any black screens right after matchmaking and not being able to do anything but relogin, only to get hit with a penalty message within 24 hours about passive gameplay.”
    • “Its the closest thing we will get to EXVS, but I can't stand the pay-to-unlock new skills mechanics.”
  • graphics13 mentions

    The game's graphics are widely praised for their stunning quality and anime style, often described as breathtakingly beautiful even at lower settings. While character models are well-designed, some players note that animations can be janky, particularly due to lag from server issues. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to an engaging gameplay experience, despite some control and server-related drawbacks.

    • “This game's graphics are so good, they make the real world look like it's in 144p!”
    • “Despite setting the graphics on lowest, they still look stunningly beautiful and amazing.”
    • “Stellar graphics, engaging mechanics, and a story that's out of this world!”
    • “The game is graphically sound in anime style, but the character designs are more waifu battler than mecha musume.”
    • “Aesthetic delight but controls like a drunk ostrich!”
    • “Mecha musume Honkai Impact aesthetic mobile game slop.”
  • story9 mentions

    The game's story aspect is criticized for its lack of depth and content, with no dedicated story mode or substantial lore to connect characters, leaving players wanting more narrative elements. While the visuals and mechanics are praised, many users express a desire for additional PvE content and a more engaging storyline to enhance the overall experience.

    • “Stellar graphics, engaging mechanics, and a story that's out of this world!”
    • “If this game gets a tournament arc storyline, like how Uma Musume and idol arcs go, it would do really well.”
    • “The campaign mode is very lacking in content, with no story mode or lore.”
    • “The arcade mode is short and there is no story mode or lore to really tie the characters together outside of some snippets under the character info.”
    • “Waiting patiently for the game to add more PvE content and story/lore for the casual and lore enthusiast to dive into the game world settings.”
  • character development4 mentions

    Character development in the game is marked by visually appealing designs and dynamic actions, though some elements appear heavily inspired or directly copied from other titles, particularly within the Hoyoverse and Gundam series. While the anime-style graphics are praised, the overall character design leans more towards a "waifu battler" aesthetic rather than a unique identity.

    • “Character designs are good and all have pretty fancy actions.”
    • “Character design in Starward is another highlight.”
    • “The character designs and Chinese voicelines are heavily inspired (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).”
    • “The game is graphically sound in anime style, but the character designs lean more towards waifu battler than mecha musume.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    The emotional aspect of 星之翼 is characterized by its thrilling gameplay that evokes adrenaline while also delivering a profound narrative depth reminiscent of classic RPGs like Final Fantasy. Players feel a mix of excitement and heartbreak, particularly due to its limited availability for American audiences.

    • “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!”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization in the game is not overly aggressive, but it has been criticized for leaning towards a pay-to-win model, with some users expressing a preference for the monetization approach used in League of Legends.

    • “The monetization isn’t oppressive.”
    • “But sadly, the monetization isn't the best and it leans into pay-to-win.”
    • “I prefer how League of Legends handles the monetization.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    Reviewers indicate that the game's replayability is significantly limited, primarily due to its focus on PvP and the lack of diverse character options, with many characters being either unplayable or underwhelming. The absence of dorm systems further diminishes the incentive to replay.

    • “Otherwise, it needs dorm systems; the replayability is non-existent. It's a 100% PvP game.”
    • “For this game, at least 1/3 of the characters are either playable or barely playable.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players appreciate the grinding aspect of the game, noting that it is less tedious compared to other gacha games, making it enjoyable for fans. The inclusion of a solid single-player mode provides a valuable alternative for resource gathering and ticket acquisition, enhancing the overall experience.

    • “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.”
    • “Thank god this game has a solid single-player aspect that serves as both a tutorial and a great alternative for grinding resources and pull tickets.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is generally well-received, being described as both cute and funny, contributing positively to the overall experience.

    • “It's good, not gonna lie, and also cute and funny.”
    • “The humor in this game is top-notch and keeps me laughing throughout.”
    • “I love how the game blends clever jokes with adorable characters.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game's optimization is generally decent, with smooth performance in single-player mode; however, players have reported significant issues with PvP, particularly for those outside of China.

    • “The single player mode runs smoothly from my experience, making it a decent EXVS clone overall.”
    • “The optimization for single player is impressive, allowing for a seamless experience.”
    • “Despite some issues in PvP, the game performs well in single player, showcasing good optimization.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

8hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
8-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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