Sunrider 4: The Captain's Return

About

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Sunrider 4: The Captain's Return screenshot

86%

Audience ScoreBased on 278 reviews

story116 positive mentions

grinding16 negative mentions

The game features an excellent story and worldbuilding, with unexpected twists and character development that surpasses previous entries.
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 characters and overall aesthetic.

The puzzle missions are tedious and detract from the overall enjoyment of the game, feeling like a slog rather than an engaging challenge.
Some characters, particularly the main protagonist, have inconsistent writing that undermines their development and emotional growth.
The game lacks a gallery or replay option for scenes, making it difficult to revisit character endings or important moments without replaying the entire game.

story
434 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
69%
4%
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 is seen as a significant improvement over its predecessor, it still leaves room for further development in character arcs and narrative depth.
- “The story and worldbuilding is excellent, I would say even more so than the previous games.”
- “The story was full of twists and new developments that I was not expecting, and I enjoyed every part of it.”
- “This game really fulfills the potential the series has from an amazing story and world build with complex and morally gray characters and issues to a genuinely amazing and captivating battle scene.”
- “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.”
- “The quality of the story leaves much to be desired.”
- “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.”
gameplay
150 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
63%
7%
The gameplay has undergone significant improvements, transitioning to a more complex and dynamic system that incorporates new mechanics like momentum-based movement and unique combat strategies, which many players find engaging. However, some aspects, such as puzzle mechanics and the introduction of certain features, have received criticism for being tedious or poorly timed, leading to mixed feelings about the overall experience. While the tactical elements remain enjoyable and the game offers substantial content, the learning curve and occasional clunkiness may deter some players.
- “The gameplay is challenging and fun and an immersive story.”
- “Great sequel to the Sunrider series with revamped gameplay (which I personally found a lot more interesting) and little to no bugs.”
- “The gameplay like the story received a massive overhaul, developing the strongest points that were made in the third entry such as builds and skills, mixing a unique combination of 2.5D with a Battlefleet Gothic Armada and turn-based mechanics that work surprisingly well.”
- “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.”
- “Yes, the gameplay can be clunky at times, and yes, the game can be difficult even at its easiest difficulty.”
music
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
63%
7%
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 only featured towards the end, leading to repetitiveness from reused tracks throughout the majority of the game. Overall, while the production quality has improved, the reliance on familiar compositions has left some fans feeling disappointed.
- “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 OST helps the epicness a lot; music in the series has always been awesome, and the new tracks are great as well. I definitely recommend it.”
- “Most of the new soundtrack is heard at the end of the game, meaning for the majority of the game is spent hearing the same music from the last three games and does sound 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.”
graphics
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
59%
9%
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. Reviewers highlight the beautiful visuals, enhanced character designs, and a notable upgrade in overall gameplay aesthetics, marking a clear evolution from the series' indie roots. The combination of improved artwork, music, and technical performance contributes to an immersive and visually stunning experience.
- “The music and the visuals are a definite step up, with some reused tracks from old games along with new ones.”
- “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.”
humor
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
90%
10%
The game is praised for its humor, featuring a mix of hilarious dialogue, clever references, and well-timed comic relief that keeps players engaged. While some aspects of gameplay are criticized, the comedic elements, including memorable character interactions and fourth-wall breaks, consistently elicit laughter. Overall, the humor is a standout feature that enhances the storytelling experience.
- “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, in a bad, unfunny way.”
grinding
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, particularly due to the slow-paced puzzle mechanics and the drawn-out combat system. While the new vector-based movement adds strategic depth, it often detracts from the enjoyment, leading to frustration during repetitive gameplay. Many players express that the grind is only bearable due to their desire to see the story's conclusion, despite the overall dissatisfaction with the experience.
- “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, boring, and time-consuming slog.”
character development
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
50%
21%
The game features strong character development, showcasing significant growth and maturity among characters as they navigate challenges, which is a notable improvement from previous entries. While the writing includes self-deprecating humor and developer apologies for past shortcomings, it ultimately delivers a rich narrative that allows for impactful player decisions and meaningful relationships. However, some reviewers felt that despite the quality of character development, the overall depth could have been greater.
- “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 the characters and how time, hard times, and war make you mature in unexpected ways. Some characters might as well be new ones, but it's done in such a good way that it feels natural and is actual character development instead of retcons.”
- “Now you have more decisions, and they feel like they have an impact. These decisions are used in a sort of perk system that can turn the tide of battle in your favor. Other decisions help you gain affection with characters and allow for side missions that provide opportunities for character development.”
- “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.”
emotional
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by the character development, particularly the main character's journey from self-deprecation to growth, which resonates with players. The heartfelt moments, such as the quirky yet endearing transformation of another character into a queen, foster strong emotional attachments, showcasing effective storytelling throughout the series. Overall, players feel a deep connection to the characters, enhancing the game's emotional impact.
- “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.”
- “The main character has turned into an emotional, self-deprecating crybaby that only seems to have any emotional growth at the end of the game.”
optimization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
50%
38%
Overall, optimization feedback is mixed; while some players report random performance drops that can be resolved by restarting the game, others experience smooth gameplay even on less powerful hardware. Despite some complaints, many users note significant improvements in performance 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.”
- “Lastly, although people are complaining about performance, it wasn't really an issue for me.”
- “Performance-wise, it's butter smooth; a huge improvement for the series.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
Overall, the game's replayability is seen as lacking compared to previous entries in the series, primarily due to less engaging puzzles and a lack of tough choices that enhance replay value. While some players find the Sunrider series generally replayable, this particular installment does not meet those expectations.
- “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.”