StarVaders
" Innovative adventure strategy with deckbuilding and grid tactics but limited difficulty scaling "
StarVaders Review
StarVaders is a highly praised roguelike deckbuilder that uniquely blends elements from games like Slay the Spire, Into the Breach, and Space Invaders. Players appreciate its fast-paced, strategic gameplay featuring multiple mechs and pilots, each offering distinct playstyles and synergies. The game excels in providing clear UI feedback, allowing players to visualize enemy moves and plan several turns ahead. Its soundtrack and vibrant art style enhance the immersive experience, while the variety of unlocks and challenge modes provide substantial replayability. Despite its relatively short run duration, many find the runs satisfying and well-paced, typically lasting around 40-60 minutes.
However, some players note that the game’s difficulty leans toward the easier side, with limited scaling and challenge variety at higher levels. The true ending, while epic, may reduce motivation to continue. Minor issues include occasional targeting bugs and a lack of touch screen support. Overall, StarVaders is regarded as a polished, addicting gem deserving more recognition among deckbuilding and roguelike fans.
Highlights
Players laud StarVaders for its innovative gameplay mechanics that combine deckbuilding with tactical grid combat reminiscent of Space Invaders and Into the Breach. The distinct mechs and pilots offer diverse and creative strategies, encouraging experimentation and rewarding clever play. The UI is praised for its clarity and helpful information display, enhancing strategic planning. The art style is vibrant and charming, complemented by an excellent soundtrack that fits the game's tone. Unlockables and meta progression add depth, while runs are typically engaging and not overly long, striking a good balance for roguelike fans.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on the game’s difficulty being somewhat low, with some players desiring more challenging scaling or ascension-like modes for replay depth. The true ending is considered too short by some, dampening post-completion motivation. A few mention minor bugs, such as targeting issues, and others note the lack of touch screen support, limiting play on devices like the Steam Deck. Some players feel the card pools per pilot could be expanded to increase variety and reduce overlap. Optimization concerns arise with performance slowdowns when many enemies are present.
Pros
- • Innovative mix of deckbuilding and tactical grid combat mechanics.
- • Distinct mechs and pilots with unique playstyles and synergies.
- • Clear and informative UI aids strategic decision-making.
- • Vibrant, charming art style with excellent character designs.
- • Engaging and fitting soundtrack enhances immersion.
- • Runs are well-paced, typically around 40-60 minutes.
- • Abundant unlocks and meta progression encourage replayability.
Cons
- • Difficulty is generally on the easier side with limited scaling.
- • True ending is short, reducing post-completion motivation.
- • Lack of touch screen support limits device compatibility.
- • Some targeting bugs affect gameplay precision.
- • Card pools per pilot could be larger for more variety.
- • Performance slowdowns when many enemies populate the grid.
- • Runs can feel similar until more characters and stages unlock.
Rating Criteria
About This Game
Feature List
Craft the ultimate deck from the 400+ unique cards and artifacts available!
Choose from 3 powerful mechs, each with completely distinct playstyles and mechanics
Master 10 diverse pilots, each adding new cards, mechanics, and a personal backstory!
Use Chrono Tokens to rewind time, undo mistakes, or land that perfect combo
Battle through the multi-part story campaign and uncover a secret finale!
Endless replayability with ascending difficulties, daily runs, and challenge modes
Designed for clarity and intuition—no long tutorials, no wiki required, just pure tactical deckbuilding
About the Game
The alien invasion has shattered Earth’s defenses. Pilot, the fate of humanity now rests in your hands. Take the helm of a powerful mech and fight off the invasion—one card at a time.
StarVaders combines tactical grid-based combat with deckbuilding strategy, placing you in command of a formidable mech during humanity’s last stand against the invaders. Build up a deck of powerful cards, unleash devastating combos, and defend the Earth at all costs!
Pilot Your Mech Into Battle!
Every mech in StarVaders has its own squad of pilots. Each mech introduces unique cards and mechanics, while your pilot further enhances your strategy with their distinct, powerful abilities.
Take command of the Gunner Mech to unleash an endless flurry of bullets and explosions, get up close and personal with the ninja-like Stinger Mech, or unleash the powerful spells and summons of the Keeper Mech!
Discover Game-Breaking Combos!
Unleash game-breaking combos, outsmart the invaders, and push your build to the limit against ever-escalating threats. With hundreds of cards, artifacts, and upgrades, no two runs are ever the same.
Missed a perfect combo or found yourself cornered by the invaders? Use a Chrono Token to rewind time and rewrite your fate.
Endless Replayability
After each run, unlock powerful new cards, pilots, and deadlier enemies and bosses that raise the stakes in future battles. There’s an endless supply of builds and combos to discover every time you play.
Ready to push your limits? Take on the various Challenge Modes or dive into the Daily Run to really prove what you’re made of!
Aliensrock
“I've not been this impressed by a new deckbuilder in a bit!”
Retromation
“It's tense, strategic, and so easy to have fun with.”
95 – GamesRadar+
Pilot a powerful mech to fight off the alien invasion in this ULTIMATE fusion of deckbuilding and grid-based tactics. Discover game-breaking combos, rewind time to alter your fate, and protect the future of humanity in this endlessly replayable roguelike.
