StarVaders

Item: StarVaders
Rating: 98
Author: VaporLens

Last updated: 2025-05-02

Summary

Addictive, deep, and balanced strategic gameplay.
Unique blend of deckbuilding and grid-strategy.
High level of content and overall polish.
Meaningful interplay between mech and pilot abilities.
Strategic card-based grid combat is central.
Sessions can be lengthy for some players.

Reviews (sample size): 51
Helpful reviews: 92%
Unhelpful reviews: 8%
Protest reviews: 0%

98%
Helpful reviews with positive sentiment
2%
Helpful reviews with negative sentiment

Positive points: 148
Negative points: 25
Gameplay points: 37
Perf. points: 2
Rec. points: 38
Misc points: 10

Point	Description	Importance
Addictive, deep, balanced gameplay Description The game offers addictive, well-balanced gameplay with emergent, complex card combos and strategic depth comparable to genre-defining games. Players feel clever when discovering overpowered builds, and the game avoids the chore present in other deckbuilders. The game stands out as a top-tier roguelike deckbuilder. Importance 95%	The game offers addictive, well-balanced gameplay with emergent, complex card combos and strategic depth comparable to genre-defining games. Players feel clever when discovering overpowered builds, and the game avoids the chore present in other deckbuilders. The game stands out as a top-tier roguelike deckbuilder.	95%
Combines deckbuilding and grid-strategy Description The game uniquely combines deck-building with grid-based strategy, creating a fresh and experimental experience with good pacing. Combat flow is changed by grid-based movement, requiring strategic positioning in addition to card combos. The game blends deckbuilding and turn-based tactics into a cohesive experience. Importance 91%	The game uniquely combines deck-building with grid-based strategy, creating a fresh and experimental experience with good pacing. Combat flow is changed by grid-based movement, requiring strategic positioning in addition to card combos. The game blends deckbuilding and turn-based tactics into a cohesive experience.	91%
High level of content, polish Description The game has a large amount of content and polish, exceeding what is typically found in similar indie releases even well after their initial launch. The game is well-polished with great usability and user experience design. Importance 80%	The game has a large amount of content and polish, exceeding what is typically found in similar indie releases even well after their initial launch. The game is well-polished with great usability and user experience design.	80%
Meaningful mech and pilot interplay Description The interplay between mech and pilot is a highlight, with pilots modifying the mech's rules. The game features mechs (classes) divided with different pilots (subclasses), allowing for a variety of play styles. The Heavy Gunner class has a unique "overheat" mechanic where cards can be played without cost after the energy limit is reached, but they are burned and discarded. Importance 25%	The interplay between mech and pilot is a highlight, with pilots modifying the mech's rules. The game features mechs (classes) divided with different pilots (subclasses), allowing for a variety of play styles. The Heavy Gunner class has a unique "overheat" mechanic where cards can be played without cost after the energy limit is reached, but they are burned and discarded.	25%
Innovative card draw, cost system Description The game incorporates a 'priority draw' system that ensures players receive movement, attack, or summon cards when needed, reducing the chance of being stuck with unusable hands and increasing the potential for clutch plays. The game allows players to exceed the card cost limit, which is unusual for deck-building games. Importance 11%	The game incorporates a 'priority draw' system that ensures players receive movement, attack, or summon cards when needed, reducing the chance of being stuck with unusable hands and increasing the potential for clutch plays. The game allows players to exceed the card cost limit, which is unusual for deck-building games.	11%
Tactical 'putting-out-fires' gameplay Description The game provides a deep 'putting-out-fires' feeling similar to Into the Breach. The game allows players to overcome difficult situations by planning and utilizing all available resources, unlike Into the Breach which is more limiting. Importance 9%	The game provides a deep 'putting-out-fires' feeling similar to Into the Breach. The game allows players to overcome difficult situations by planning and utilizing all available resources, unlike Into the Breach which is more limiting.	9%
Varied, well-designed enemies/bosses Description Enemy design is varied and unique, especially the bosses; the Grandmaster boss is particularly well-designed. Bosses are not overly specialized against specific playstyles. Importance 7%	Enemy design is varied and unique, especially the bosses; the Grandmaster boss is particularly well-designed. Bosses are not overly specialized against specific playstyles.	7%