Steredenn: Binary Stars

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Steredenn: Binary Stars is an expanded version of the award-winning shoot 'em up game, Steredenn, offering infinite replayability through intense boss fights, randomly generated environments, and a vast arsenal of weapons. Play solo or with a friend in local co-op mode, choosing from 5 playable ships, each with unique abilities. The game provides quick, intense sessions featuring rock-hard boss battles that will keep you coming back for more.

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Play Modes

Reviews

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 364 reviews

music88 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

Incredible replayability with procedurally generated levels and a variety of weapons.
Fantastic soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience.
Challenging yet rewarding gameplay that encourages skill development.

Difficulty spikes can feel unfair, especially with random weapon drops.
Some weapons and upgrades are underwhelming or situational, leading to frustration.
Visual clutter can make it hard to distinguish between projectiles and obstacles.

music
138 mentions
64 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its heavy metal and rock influences that perfectly complement the fast-paced gameplay. The soundtrack is described as "insanely good," "amazing," and "epic," enhancing the overall experience and encouraging replayability. While some players noted a preference for different musical styles, the majority agree that the music significantly contributes to the game's engaging atmosphere and dynamic action.
- “The music is amazing, the retro art style is super clean and flashy, and the gameplay is smooth and easy to get into.”
- “The soundtrack fits the game to perfection.”
- “This game is so much fun, and might I just say, the soundtrack is amazing!”
- “First of all, the music and sound effects are just awful for this game.”
- “I'm not much of a rock fan, so I'm not too big on the soundtrack.”
- “A few of the cons include some weapons that feel weak, along with music glitches and a few scattered bugs, but these can be easily fixed when the release date rolls around.”
graphics
71 mentions
52 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The graphics of Steredenn are widely praised for their beautiful pixel art style, which effectively captures a retro aesthetic reminiscent of 16-bit consoles while offering modern polish. Reviewers highlight the game's consistent and charming visual design, complemented by a strong soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. While some critiques mention a lack of standout elements, the general consensus is that the graphics contribute significantly to the game's appeal and enjoyment.
- “Stereden is a fun roguelike shmup with beautiful pixel graphics.”
- “The graphics have a great retro feel, while still being better than any 16-bit computer/console could have ever produced.”
- “Absolutely great music, impressive graphics with a good eye for details (for example, your ship changes shape a bit depending on the weapon type equipped), and all around a feeling of 'right'.”
- “The graphics don't help at all.”
- “I also really just don't like the feel or look of the weapons, and the game has kind of a bland aesthetic in general.”
- “Despite its charming visuals (which remind me of Hydorah), I can't really recommend Steredenn right now, which is a shame because I feel like there is potential in this game.”
gameplay
70 mentions
47 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Steredenn is a mix of engaging bullet-hell mechanics and roguelike elements, praised for its smooth controls, variety of ships, and replayability. However, some players find it lacking in depth due to a random weapon system that can undermine strategic choices, leading to feelings of frustration and disappointment. Overall, while the game features solid mechanics and appealing aesthetics, opinions are divided on its long-term enjoyment and balance.
- “A good mix between shoot 'em up gameplay and the randomness of a roguelike.”
- “With a variety of ships, each with a distinct feel and just enough weapons/upgrades to create meaningful gameplay variety, choices, and synergies, Steredenn absolutely nails the perfect balance between simplicity and depth.”
- “Gameplay is smooth and always feels fair; great sense of progression as you learn and unlock while still feeling like a proper arcade-ish rogue-lite.”
- “The weakness mechanic is useless.”
- “After several hours of gameplay, I felt I progressed very little and became bored with the game.”
- “Overall, Steredenn feels like a game that fills in gameplay niches that have already been filled by other games which executed them better.”
replayability
22 mentions
50 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, primarily due to its roguelite mechanics, which feature random levels, enemy ships, and upgrades. Players appreciate the variety of weapons and challenges, along with daily runs that enhance competitive play. Overall, the combination of procedural generation and frequent updates contributes to a highly addictive experience that encourages repeated play.
- “The game is very short but it's a roguelite, so expect infinite replayability.”
- “The levels, enemy ships, and upgrades are all random, making it very replayable.”
- “Oh man, this game is a brilliant procedural shooter with amazing replayability that has a high challenge level and requires quite a lot of skill to be appreciated.”
- “The replay value is what puts this game in the highest of ranks for me, with daily runs to see how you fare against other players. You can boot this game up just a few minutes a day and you will easily see your playtime become worth the price of admission.”
- “Additionally, the game's aforementioned scoring system feels pointless, because since the game is procedural, your score is also going to be randomized regardless of how good you are, so it does little to increase the replay value.”
- “Replayability appears decent (unlockable ships and various weapons to check out).”
story
13 mentions
8 % positive mentions
92 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely criticized for being minimal and lacking depth, with many players noting that it only consists of an introductory segment without further development. While some enjoy the straightforward plot and subplots, the overall consensus is that the narrative fails to engage, leaving players desiring a more substantial storyline or a dedicated story mode.
- “The plot is quite straightforward too and there are a number of subplots with enjoyable archetypes to be discovered.”
- “Amazing OST and gameplay, just a lack of enemy diversity (they are all gray and do pretty much the same except some of them) and story, but really enjoyable.”
- “I kind of wish it had a story or that there was a larger game with the same graphics and mechanics, like an open world space thing.”
- “The game has no real story outside of the tutorial level.”
- “Putting a massive roadblock in the story just pulls me right out of the immersion and destroys the whole thing.”
- “I kind of wish it had a story or that there was a larger game with the same graphics and mechanics, like an open world space thing.”
grinding
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be time-consuming and often tedious, requiring significant effort to improve skills. While the random wave spawns add some variety during grinding sessions, the repetitive nature of encountering similar enemies and patterns can lead to frustration, diminishing the overall enjoyment.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The grinding in this game is both rewarding and addictive.”
- “I love how the grinding mechanics keep me engaged for hours.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The random wave spawns during the stage portions of the game make them less tedious when you're grinding, but after a while, this becomes irrelevant when you see most of the possible waves or learn what enemies do.”
- “This isn't the only occurrence, but pulling that every other boss makes the game more tedious than it needs to be. Refund, please.”
humor
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted through witty subtitles and a lighthearted tone that complements its challenging gameplay. Players appreciate the amusing tutorials and the variety of entertaining weapon combinations and scenarios, which contribute to an overall fun experience.
- “There's humor in the subtitles.”
- “Plus, the pixel art is lovely, the music is fantastic (and catchy!), and a bit of humor pervades the whole package, adding a lighthearted air to counterbalance the brutal difficulty and pounding pace.”
- “There are lots of variations, lots of fun weapon combinations, upgrades, scenario variations (meteor showers, asteroid/battle fields, laser rain), and it's funny to boot.”
atmosphere
4 mentions
75 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by an intense and immersive experience, enhanced by a heavy metal soundtrack and significant screenshake effects. Users appreciate the remastered, punchy soundtrack, which contributes to a more user-friendly and atmospheric environment.
- “Also features heavy metal and pretty severe screenshake if you like that kind of intense atmosphere.”
- “If anything, it has become more user-friendly and even more atmospheric.”
- “Very punchy, atmospheric remastered soundtrack.”
- “The atmosphere is overwhelmed by heavy metal music and excessive screen shake, which can be quite intense for some players.”
- “The intense atmosphere created by the heavy metal soundtrack and severe screen shake can be off-putting for those who prefer a more subtle experience.”
- “While the game aims for an intense atmosphere with heavy metal and severe screen shake, it often feels chaotic and disorienting.”
stability
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
Overall, the game demonstrates strong stability, particularly on Linux systems, with seamless controller recognition and good performance on both older and newer hardware. However, users have noted minor issues such as music glitches and scattered bugs, which are expected to be addressed in future updates.
- “I appreciate the Linux support; the game runs great on my Ubuntu machine and recognizes my Logitech controller flawlessly.”
- “It runs great on any old laptop, and especially on the newer ones.”
- “A few of the cons include some weapons that feel weak, along with music glitches and a few scattered bugs, but these can be easily fixed when the release date rolls around.”
optimization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
100 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its excellent optimization, with users reporting zero performance issues or bugs.
- “Zero performance issues or bugs.”
- “The game runs smoothly on all settings, showcasing excellent optimization.”
- “I experienced no lag or frame drops, which made for a seamless gaming experience.”
emotional
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Users report experiencing a "pac-man emotional effect," suggesting that the game evokes a strong, consuming emotional response that resonates deeply, potentially leading to feelings of nostalgia or engagement.
- “Now I'm experiencing a 'Pac-Man emotional effect.'”