Star Overdrive

Star Overdrive is in all an enjoyable game that only has some minor issues that are not enough to stop Bios' adventure from being an enjoyable trek across a dangerous planet. With a creative and very satisfying traversal mechanic that really helps the game achieve an identity of its own, and puzzles that test the player's capabilities, Star Overdrive is a fun game that players could easily get distracted just hovering around the dunes but there's plenty to do if they want to actually progress the main story or search for upgrades, materials, or the puzzle areas.

Star Overdrive is a slick-looking, well-crafted action-adventure with some seriously fun hoverboard action. If you’re craving old-school mascot platformers, this is the closest modern take you’ll find.

I enjoyed my time with Star Overdrive, I think this is the best hoverboarding experience I have found in a game until now. The controls are very slick, and being able to customize the hoverboard is a lot of fun. Combat is ok, not too complex, but enough to keep you interested as you focus on finishing the game. When it comes to the story, I liked it, but I know it won’t be for everyone. However, chances are that if you play this game, you’re most likely doing it for riding a hoverboard and killing enemies. I am sure that for a lot of players, hoverboarding will take center stage, with the story being just an excuse to progress and upgrade your hoverboard. Star Overdrive has its shortcomings, but as a complete package, it’s a nice adventure for 10-12 hours, and a great excuse to peruse a beautifully designed alien world with a hoverboard.

Star Overdrive has a lot of great ideas and a beautiful presentation while also being encumbered by frustrating platforming and combat systems. It’s hard to ignore the latter when the game’s best part is frequently put on hold to engage with tedious platforming puzzles and enemies that send out protagonist flying into the sand with no reserve. But this game has some of the smoothest hoverboard play I’ve seen from a game in years and, if you too enjoy the feeling of bursting through sandy dunes while pumping it up with a lovely sci-fi aesthetic, I think you’ll very much enjoy playing Star Overdrive.

With its striking visuals and stylish traversal, Star Overdrive makes a promising first impression. But the fun slowly descends into frustration as you face repetitive design, shallow mechanics, and a desolate world that offers little reward for exploration.