Advanced Game Search
StarVaders

StarVaders

PC
Released

Release Date: April 30, 2025

Strategy, Science Fiction, Tactics, Puzzle Elements, Mechs, 2D, Card Games, Top-down, Singleplayer

A turn-based tactical game, enriched with roguelike elements and mechanics taken from Slay the Spire, Into the Breach and Space Invaders games. StarVaders is about controlling mechs and participating in card duels with the attacking aliens. Combat takes place on boards covered with a square grid and we must prevent aliens from reaching the bottom of the screen.

8.8

OpenCritic

9.8

Steam

Rate It!
Ratings
[1:14] - Accolades Trailer Videos: 3
Screenshot Images: 8
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot

StarVaders is a tactical game with roguelike elements, incorporating features from games such as Slay the Spire, Into the Breach and the classic Space Invaders. It was developed by the independent Canadian studio Pengonauts and constitutes its debut work.

Gameplay

In StarVaders the action is viewed from a top-down perspective.

Tactical card battles

The gameplay takes place in turn-based mode, on a board covered with a grid of square fields. Just like in Space Invaders, the enemies occupy its upper part, while we take a position at its base, piloting a combat mech.

Read More

Platforms:

PC Windows

PC Windows

Developer: Pengonauts

Publisher: Joystick Ventures

Age restrictions: 12+

Features

News

98% positive on Steam: StarVaders could be your next rogue-like obsession

98% positive on Steam: StarVaders could be your next rogue-like obsession

Steam reviews for StarVaders are overwhelmingly positive, with 98% of over one thousand players recommending it. This could be your next obsession.

video games

Matt Buckley

May 16, 2025

98% positive on Steam: StarVaders could be your next rogue-like obsession
Five recent indie games you might have missed this week

Five recent indie games you might have missed this week

With so many huge games dominating the conversation recently, it's easy for some small games to fall between the cracks. Thankfully, we've got you covered.

video games

Matt Buckley

April 30, 2025

Five recent indie games you might have missed this week

System Requirements

System Requirements for StarVaders Video Game:

PC Windows

PC / Windows

Minimum System Requirements:
CPU 2.0 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 4 GB, 3 GB HDD, Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1/10/11.

Ratings

Game Ratings for StarVaders Video Game.

8.8

OpenCritic Rating

Game is Recomended by 98% of Critics. There are 20 Critic Reviews.

OpenCritic

Siliconera: 8 / 10

I had absolutely no idea I’d enjoy StarVaders as much as I would, and it definitely adds something to the ever-growing roguelike genre.

Full Review

XboxEra: 9 / 10 by Genghis Husameddin

StarVaders is a wonderfully addicting game, one I didn’t expect to be a highlight of mine this month. The underlying mechanics present can make or break a run in a multitude of ways, the bosses are frenetic and can really pose a challenge, the runs don’t overstay their welcome, and it’s got the visuals and music to boot.

Full Review

Cubed3: 8 / 10 by Eric Ace

Nailing all the key aspects of what draws players into the genre, each hour or so run is fast and fun. Amazingly, the characters play wildly different, from zipping all over the board to blanketing it with bombs. While StarVaders is missing that rare chance of a single card or move that instantly becomes overpowered, the power curve is typically satisfying. The only thing holding things back are the frequent freezes and crashes, along with Steam Deck problems of buttons freezing. Thankfully, the save system is forgiving, so these are only minor annoyances.

Full Review
98%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive (1,819)

STEAM
User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

  • Innovative Gameplay: StarVaders successfully combines deckbuilding mechanics with grid-based tactical combat, offering a unique and engaging experience reminiscent of games like Slay the Spire and Into the Breach.
  • Content Variety: The game features a vast array of cards (500+), mechs, and pilots, providing a plethora of strategies and synergies to explore in each run. Players appreciate the unique mechanics associated with each mech and pilot, enhancing replayability.
  • Satisfying Progression: Players enjoy the pacing of unlocking new content, with a well-designed progression system that allows for meaningful upgrades and challenges.
  • Intuitive Mechanics: The game is praised for its clean UI and intuitive gameplay, making it accessible while still offering depth for strategic decision-making.
  • Strong Audio-Visual Design: The art style, music, and sound design are frequently highlighted as exceptional, adding to the overall enjoyment of the game.
  • Replayability: The game features a high level of replayability with different pilots and mechs, and the ability to customize difficulty settings.

The main cons of the game

  • Balancing Issues: Some players noted that certain characters or builds felt weaker compared to others, suggesting a need for better balancing.
  • Limited Story Elements: While the gameplay is strong, some users expressed disappointment with the sparse story and lack of animated cutscenes, indicating a desire for more narrative depth.
  • Repetitive Boss Encounters: A few players mentioned encountering the same bosses repeatedly across multiple runs, which could diminish the sense of variety in challenges.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

  • Touchscreen Support: Some players expressed a desire for touchscreen compatibility, which would enhance the experience on devices that support it.
  • More Animated Story Elements: Users suggested that the game could benefit from more animated cutscenes or visual storytelling elements to enrich the narrative experience.
  • Expanded Boss Variety: Players would like to see a greater variety of bosses available from the start, rather than having to unlock them through gameplay.
  • Enhanced Difficulty Options: While many enjoy the existing difficulty settings, some players felt that the game could benefit from additional challenge modes or mechanics to cater to more experienced players.

Summary

  • Overall, StarVaders is widely regarded as a standout title in the deckbuilding roguelike genre, praised for its innovative mechanics, depth, and engaging gameplay, while also facing some criticism regarding balance and narrative elements.

Summary generated on: