Starbound

 PC
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. DarkZero
    Sep 8, 2016
    100
    Starbound is a game that, after a few hours of play, starts to seem like an instant classic you’ll be revisiting from time to time over the next unknown period of years.
  2. Games Master UK
    Sep 6, 2016
    94
    The infinite cosmos is captured in an infinitely inventive game that effortlessly blends genres. [Sept 2016, p.66]
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  3. IGN
    Jul 28, 2016
    91
    Starbound excels as a crafting and exploration game, as a 2D platformer with varied and engaging combat, and as a Zelda-esque story RPG with a detailed world and memorable alien cultures to interact with. The sheer volume of different kinds of locations to discover, items to craft and build great structures with, and flashy ways to vanquish aliens prevent any part of the experience from getting boring quickly.
  5. Eurogamer Italy
    Aug 8, 2016
    90
    Starbound is very similar to Terraria, but bigger, more varied, more engaging. Recommended for sandbox genre lovers, thanks to a series of missions and a plot, that is the backdrop to the exploration of the galaxy, is also referred to those who have never enjoyed the games similar to Minecraft.
  6. IGN Spain
    Sep 1, 2016
    88
    Starbound is a profound and economic alternative to No Man's Sky. Despite its technical section, behind the title hides a deep and harmonious universe worthy of being explored.
  7. CD-Action
    Oct 14, 2016
    85
    The price to fun ratio is amazing, but Starbound’s biggest advantage is the freedom it offers. I took a long break from Elite Dangerous to play this indie gem – it’s that good! [10/2016, p.58]
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  8. CGMagazine
    Aug 10, 2016
    85
    Progression can be slow at times, while still feeling too brief in the grand scope of the game, and the combat can be a bit of a yes/no gear check, but critically, none of this mars the experience, nor can it ever upset the beauty of the game’s randomly generated worlds, the vibrant colour palettes, the stunning parallax, and the overall “feel” of the game.
  9. Game Informer
    Aug 3, 2016
    85
    Starbound is a satisfying space sandbox that rarely disappoints, with occasional minor bugs or mandatory missions offering minor quibbles with unbridled, endless exploration. This ambitious indie project has something for everyone buried within its retrograde graphical framework.
  10. Multiplayer.it
    Aug 7, 2016
    84
    The old formula of mining, crafting and building has been revamped in this cheerful, rich and diverse space sandbox.
  11. PC Gamer
    Jul 27, 2016
    84
    A charming space sandbox that will keep you busy and entertained for hours.
  12. Everyeye.it
    Oct 24, 2016
    82
    Starbound is one of the very few games that gets both "open world" and "sandbox" done right. The amount of activities available is astounding and the best part is you can avoid them all, if you wish to do just that.
  13. Vandal
    Aug 1, 2016
    82
    Starbound is an amazing effort, a very solid game with something for everyone. Considering there's an indie team behind it, you can't really ask for more.
  14. Kill Screen
    Sep 5, 2016
    80
    If Starbound has one major downside it’s that there is no pause button. A pithy consideration, I know, but it means if you’re exploring a cavern found deep within the recesses of a new planet, you cannot pause to take a much-needed bathroom break. And since enemies can spawn at any time, you can’t walk away from your computer in confidence, either. But the lack of a pause button almost feels apt: in Starbound, there can be no pause button, no way to suspend you from this childhood fantasy.
  15. Gamer.nl
    Aug 28, 2016
    80
    Starbound offers way more than just a colorful and cute outside. Its inside is a deep platformer that makes you start a colony on a planet filled with alpaca's, or something like that. And it is awesome.
  16. Areajugones
    Aug 8, 2016
    80
    Starbound is a must-buy for the PC players due to the huge amount of hours of entertainment that this game can give. An enormous universe, a great variety of tools and a game full of possibilities.
  17. Metro GameCentral
    Aug 5, 2016
    80
    Still a little unpolished in places, but with its huge variety of locations and gameplay elements this already stands toe-to-toe with both Terraria and Minecraft.
  18. The Escapist
    Jul 22, 2016
    80
    It's a bit rough around the edges, and the first few hours are a slog, but Starbound is a deep and vast constructor with a killer soundtrack.
  19. GameStar
    Aug 12, 2016
    79
    Starbound offers a lot of freedom, diversity and a love for details. An amazingly good game if you love 2D pixel worlds.
  20. Games.cz
    Sep 19, 2016
    70
    Starbound is not as polished and debugged as other games, and sometimes it may seem repetitive. But compared to more "modern" sci-fi games its explorative, almost melancholic spirit and emphasis on building catches your heart. Spare a few hundred hours of your time, the ultimate boundary once again calls for the survey.
  21. PC PowerPlay
    Aug 27, 2016
    60
    A potential classic, hamstrung by unkept promises made during 2.5 years of Early Access. [Issue#254, p.64]
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  22. Brash Games
    Aug 16, 2016
    60
    Starbound is coming into a genre that most people either love or hate. I really wonder if there is room in someone’s schedule for yet another crafting game. Starbound is certainly a good one of those, but it doesn’t really stand out among the many challengers.
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In Progress & Unscored

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  1. Kotaku
    Oct 19, 2016
    Starbound is full of whimsy, surprise, and strange little interactions. It’s a universe unto itself, just begging to be explored.
  2. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Jul 21, 2016
    I find it difficult to picture the person who wouldn’t enjoy Starbound. Parts, sure, but the whole is this sincere, incredibly ambitious sandbox that’s as full of charm, and space-faring pirate penguins, as it is stuff to build and places to explore.

Awards & Rankings

54
#54 Best PC Game of 2016
32
#32 Most Discussed PC Game of 2016
74
#74 Most Shared PC Game of 2016

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 508 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 306 out of 508
  2. Mixed: 130 out of 508
  3. Negative: 72 out of 508
  1. jecoconono
    May 19, 2014
    10
    Don't follow what the haters say. Play the game yourself and you will see that its amazing. The music, the art, the adventure is all greatlyDon't follow what the haters say. Play the game yourself and you will see that its amazing. The music, the art, the adventure is all greatly done, and plenty of mods from the community and the fact that you need little to no knowledge to mod the game too, its just a amazing game! Sure, it might be terraria-like but its mostly pure inspiration. Its a great game, and don't forget that its currently just a beta so things will change often.… Full Review »
  2. Grenzor
    Aug 12, 2014
    0
    This came is a scam. Don't consider buying it. For 11 months they haven't released a single major update, and it's still in the 1st stage ofThis came is a scam. Don't consider buying it. For 11 months they haven't released a single major update, and it's still in the 1st stage of early alpha.… Full Review »
  3. Alexander_Z
    Jun 19, 2014
    1
    As is the game is unfinished. That wouldn't be so bad except in seven months time they have done nothing of note besides expand as aAs is the game is unfinished. That wouldn't be so bad except in seven months time they have done nothing of note besides expand as a publisher. Work on Starbound has slowed to a crawl. The game itself is in a state where it is little more then 2D Lego's and there are other block building games out there that are more complete and cheaper then the asking price of this unfinished work. I would love to talk about the gameplay more but there simply isn't any to be had as the work is simply not fun at all in its presently and likely soon to be rushed out 1.0 state that is slated to be missing features. As is the developers have also gone back on their word several times involving the mechanics and gameplay, date of release, and are blaming their userbase for these faults. 2015 at the time of this writing slated as the release date. They have been noticably changing the release date since -2012-.

    I find this one of the most disturbing early access games on Steam in terms of lost potential. I would warn people to instead pick up Terraria, Minecraft, or a host of other games in a better state and that are still being worked on diligently. What is here is only the most basic of block games and looks to remain that way so I give this a 1. Chucklefish at present is to concerned with other matters to make this game the product it could have been.    … Full Review »
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