Sunrider 4: The Captain's Return
- February 8, 2023
- Love in Space
- 21h median play time
Get on Steam"Sunrider 4: The Captain's Return" is a visual novel and tactical RPG set in space, where players step into the role of the captain of the starship Sunrider. The game features strategic space battles, character development, and a complex narrative with multiple endings. As the captain, players must make difficult decisions that will affect the fate of their crew and the universe.
Reviews
- The story and worldbuilding are excellent, with unexpected twists and character development that keeps players engaged.
- The new momentum-based combat system enhances strategic gameplay, making battles feel quicker and more dynamic.
- The character art and visuals have significantly improved, adding depth and detail to the overall experience.
- The puzzle missions are tedious and can disrupt the flow of the game, making them feel like a chore.
- Some characters, particularly the main protagonist, have inconsistent development that can detract from the overall narrative.
- The enemy variety is lacking, leading to repetitive combat experiences throughout the game.
- story217 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story in "Sunrider 4" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its engaging worldbuilding, unexpected plot twists, and character development, particularly in relation to previous entries in the series. However, some players expressed frustration with the linearity of the narrative, the introduction of multiverse elements, and certain gameplay mechanics that detracted from the storytelling experience. Overall, while the game offers a satisfying continuation of the series, it may not fully resonate with newcomers or those who preferred the storytelling style of earlier titles.
“The story was full of twists and new developments that I was not expecting, and I enjoyed every part of it.”
“Incredible story that is very layered and seems to have lots of lore relating to the previous two games.”
“The story has taken what I believe to be a thrilling and interesting continuation of Liberation Day.”
“The quality of the story leaves much to be desired.”
“Yes, there is a large time gap between liberation day and this game, and obviously war changes people, but the writers seemed to just write him as a character to hate at this point; especially since none of your decisions matter from previous games and you make almost none in this game, so the linear story gets old quick.”
“I don't think I have ever come across an indie dev with such disdain for their fans. Seriously, this entire game felt like a big 'f you' to fans of the previous games. They went out of their way to say nothing in the story matters, even going and having multiple Deus Ex moments and character assassinations.”
- gameplay75 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay has undergone significant improvements, introducing new mechanics such as a momentum-based movement system and a more complex combat strategy that enhances the overall experience. While many players appreciate the tactical depth and variety of missions, some find the new mechanics, particularly the puzzle elements and the momentum system, to be less intuitive and at times frustrating. Overall, the game offers a challenging and engaging experience, though it may require some adjustment for players familiar with previous installments.
“The gameplay is challenging and fun, and the immersive story enhances the experience.”
“Great sequel to the Sunrider series with revamped gameplay that is much more interesting and has little to no bugs.”
“The gameplay received a massive overhaul, moving away from the previous chess-like mechanics to a more balanced and fleshed-out attack system, making each mech and ship feel unique.”
“The momentum system is realistic, but makes gameplay a bit less intuitive; maybe it could have been done differently.”
“There are a number of maps that, even on story mode, had mechanics that were very frustrating to play through, and that hurt my desire to replay the game.”
“It's new and more complex, but it isn't completely overwhelming except for the puzzles; they don't fit with normal gameplay and they didn't add any extra actual content than a time-extender for the story, which wasn't helped with the game deciding the puzzles were a perfect time to drop to 3 fps repeatedly.”
- music27 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the quality and emotional impact of the soundtrack, particularly during key moments like battles and the opening and ending themes. However, some players noted a lack of variety, as much of the new music is introduced late in the game, leading to repetitive experiences with reused tracks from previous installments. Overall, while the production quality has improved, the soundtrack is seen as a highlight, albeit with some room for enhancement in diversity.
“The music and the visuals are a definite step up, with some reused tracks from old games along with new ones.”
“All the music is fantastic - the opening and ending songs are especially noteworthy, but the battle music is really enjoyable and never got old throughout two playthroughs.”
“The production quality (visuals, music, gameplay) all demonstrate a clear improvement over previous games, far beyond its indie game roots.”
“Most of the new soundtrack is heard at the end of the game, meaning for the majority of the game, players are stuck hearing the same music from the last three games, which sounds repetitive at this point.”
“Music is what I would call a weaker part of the game: I like all of the compositions, but they are really lacking in variety.”
“The soundtrack got reused yet again.”
- graphics16 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The graphics in the latest installment have received widespread acclaim for their significant improvements, showcasing a dramatic overhaul in art style and production quality compared to previous titles. Players have noted enhanced visuals, better character designs, and a more polished overall aesthetic, marking a clear evolution from the series' indie roots. The combination of improved graphics, engaging gameplay, and a captivating soundtrack contributes to a visually stunning experience that stands out in the series.
“The music and the visuals are a definite step up, with some reused tracks from old games along with new ones.”
“Not only that, but everything about this game, from the story to the artwork to the gameplay, is absolutely beautiful.”
“Graphics had a major overhaul and the seven year gap shows the vast improvements from the first trilogy.”
“The art style and CG have improved so dramatically that looking at pictures from MOA after playing Sunrider 4 made me need to do a double take just to appreciate how far this series has come.”
“Graphics had a major overhaul and the seven-year gap shows the vast improvements from the first trilogy.”
“In addition, visuals and overall production value have improved quite a bit since the previous game.”
- humor10 mentions
- 90 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, featuring a mix of clever dialogue, comedic moments, and entertaining references that elicit genuine laughter. Players appreciate the balance between serious storytelling and comedic relief, with memorable characters and humorous interactions enhancing the overall experience. However, some note the absence of English voice acting as a missed opportunity to fully capture the humor in certain dialogues.
“Surgical strike+refit is hilarious.”
“Lots of humorous moments and lines, plus a gradual unfolding of the continuing story with some new reveals.”
“In addition to everything else, the story knows when to be deep and when to insert comedy and comic relief, and it's actually really funny, whether it's a natural conversation that characters have, or a reference to previous Sunrider games or breaking the 4th wall; there were times when I burst out laughing.”
“Gameplay is bad; now you drift like an AE86, but in a way that's unfunny and frustrating.”
“The attempts at humor fall flat and feel forced, making the experience more cringeworthy than entertaining.”
“The jokes are stale and lack creativity, leaving me wondering if the writers even tried.”
- grinding8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, particularly due to the slow pace of combat and puzzle mechanics that detract from the overall enjoyment. While the strategic elements of the new combat system are appreciated, many feel that the repetitive nature of gameplay leads to frustration rather than engagement. The desire to see the story's conclusion is often the only motivation to endure the grinding.
“To say the old combat was simplistic was an understatement; sure, but this new combat is tedious comparatively.”
“It is a tedious process waiting for the enemy to make all the moves.”
“Puzzle mechanics themselves transform your fun mecha combat into a slow, tedious, and boring slog.”
- character development7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The character development in this game is praised for its depth and natural progression, showcasing how characters mature through experiences of hardship and war, contrasting sharply with earlier entries in the series. While the writing includes self-aware humor and nods to past criticisms, it ultimately delivers a rich narrative that allows for meaningful player choices and relationships, although some reviewers noted that the overall amount of character development could be more substantial. The revamped character designs further enhance the experience, contributing to a strong emotional connection with the characters.
“Honestly, this game is probably the strongest in the series and I'd argue the best this company has made yet. The story shows how much it has improved since the first entry, with character development that some AAA studios would love to have. It studies how time, hard times, and war make you mature in unexpected ways, making some characters feel like new ones, which is done so well that it comes across as natural character development instead of retcons.”
“Now you have more decisions, and they feel impactful. These decisions are used in a sort of perk system that can turn the tide of battle in your favor. Additionally, side missions allow you to see character development and enjoy moments that cheer you up after tough events.”
“However, it has great character development and tangible relationships.”
“In terms of what it lacks - I felt that while the character development was good, there wasn't really much of it.”
“Now you have more decisions and they feel like they have an impact and are used in a sort of perk system/trust from each girl that can turn the tide of battle in your favor from simple stuff as a chance to double-tap an enemy into borderline game-breaking stuff at max trust/lvl 10 perk of turning some skills into artillery strikes or free attacks, while other decisions help you gain affection with characters and mere side missions that you would like to take either due to extra credits or to see character development, or even a simple joke that seems to be put there to cheer you up after a nasty event.”
“Honestly, this game is probably the strongest in the series and I'd argue the best this company has made yet, while it does have the characteristic style of writing of self-deprecating jokes, self-awareness and something that can be best described as developer apology for elements on previous entries not well liked (being railroaded hard into a route, escort missions and lack of options) they do not fall flat most of the time nor are they badly timed mixed with a surprisingly rich story and character development some AAA studios would love to have.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by the main character's journey from self-deprecation to growth, culminating in a heartfelt conclusion. Players express a strong attachment to the characters, particularly appreciating the blend of quirky traits and emotional depth, which reflects effective storytelling throughout the series.
“Seeing her become a queen, but still being quirky while actively trying to win your affection was heartwarming.”
“I was emotionally attached to all of these characters over the course of the series, and that's a sign of good storytelling.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Overall, optimization feedback is mixed; while some users report random performance drops that can be resolved by restarting the game, others experience smooth gameplay even on less powerful hardware. Notably, many players have found the performance to be significantly improved compared to previous entries in the series.
“Performance-wise, it's butter smooth; a huge improvement for the series.”
“However, I did experience dramatic and seemingly random performance drops, and I've heard of others experiencing the same. Restarting the game fixed these with ease, but it's still worth noting.”
“However, I did experience dramatic and seemingly random performance drops, and I've heard of others experiencing the same. Restarting the game fixed these issues with ease, but it's still worth noting.”
“Lastly, although people are complaining about performance, it wasn't really an issue for me.”
“I played through Proton on a fairly ordinary laptop, and although it ran hot, I never experienced stuttering or lagginess.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is seen as lacking compared to previous titles in the series, primarily due to less engaging puzzles and fewer impactful choices. While some players find it less replayable, others still enjoy the Sunrider series for its replay value.
“The previous games in this series were faced with tough choices which really upped the replay value.”
“Sunrider games have always been very replayable for me, every game except this one.”
“I was going to say it's a masterpiece, but some things like the puzzles really kill replayability.”
“The previous games in this series faced tough choices that significantly increased the replay value.”
