Starbound

 PC
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

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  1. Cik
    Feb 10, 2015
    10
    A very, very enjoyable game, even at this stage of development; there is a very appealing uncomplicated beauty, yet depth of play and entertainment that has gripped me for days. It is worth it, and will continue to be as it develops more.

    There exists a lore for every character type as well, so the RPG elements are well polished for the build-stage this game is at, and will only get    A very, very enjoyable game, even at this stage of development; there is a very appealing uncomplicated beauty, yet depth of play and entertainment that has gripped me for days. It is worth it, and will continue to be as it develops more.

    There exists a lore for every character type as well, so the RPG elements are well polished for the build-stage this game is at, and will only get better. And the npc encounters that recognize you as your race and engage you differently in many circumstances is fresh and non-repetitive.

    The exploration potential is boundless and fun, along with the building emphasis of stages based upon your completion of quests; very fun. Jetting from planet to planet, system to system, makes the whole game seem never ending; very expansive. Not to mention that I found myself wandering on the surface of various planets a lot more, which I personally enjoy, and within the depths to accumulate more resources, hidden caves and base structures which I could gain unexpected gear and weapons from. The vast amount of weaponry and uniqueness to each one is simply brilliant.

    There is so much to see and accomplish in the game at the current stage, that I very much look forward to coming back to is with each developmental improvement.    … Expand
  2. shanecavaliere
    May 1, 2015
    10
    This game is being actively developed, and improves all the time. If you're considering buying it, I'd recommend only reading reviews within the most recent couple of months. Even in its current (unreleased) form, it's absolutely better than Terraria. The gameplay, effects, sound, and attention to detail are amazing - not to mention the massive amount of content. The most recent patchThis game is being actively developed, and improves all the time. If you're considering buying it, I'd recommend only reading reviews within the most recent couple of months. Even in its current (unreleased) form, it's absolutely better than Terraria. The gameplay, effects, sound, and attention to detail are amazing - not to mention the massive amount of content. The most recent patch hugely improved the way the game is presented, so quests and objectives are easy to understand and follow. This is a really, really impressive game.… Expand
  3. neowiz73
    Jan 18, 2017
    10
    Amazing 2D story driven sandbox game, similar to terraria but you are able to explorer a limitless amount of planets that have a very wide variety of creatures, biomes and landscapes. with a lot of hidden dungeons and treasures to find, even recover old artifacts from fossil locations.
    You can meet NPCs that are interested in being a crew member of your ship that will help enhance your    Amazing 2D story driven sandbox game, similar to terraria but you are able to explorer a limitless amount of planets that have a very wide variety of creatures, biomes and landscapes. with a lot of hidden dungeons and treasures to find, even recover old artifacts from fossil locations.
    You can meet NPCs that are interested in being a crew member of your ship that will help enhance your team if you choose to have them along or just leave them on the ship to continue to enhance your ship in various ways.
    a lot of random side quests can be gained from the various NPCs that dot all of the planets.
    Build anything like you can in minecraft but with a lot more variety of block types and furnishings to add a lot of appeal to the decor. then you can add people to each building or house and create your own civilization.
    with the update of 1.2 you are now able to terraform any biome into whatever biome you like.
    there seems to be more updates to come and more fun to be had in the coming months and years.    … Expand
  4. vanhaver
    May 25, 2014
    10
    Don't listen to these ignorant fools who wouldn't know a good game if it flew out of their ass. Play this game. Simple as that, it's absolutely fantastic w/ an amazing soundtrack to boot! The makers of this game have really committed themselves to this project.
  5. ReidW
    Aug 2, 2016
    10
    a Great game for COOP. I understand this game has some high negatives but I suspect this is due to the fact that this game was pre-alpha. It's now released and Awesome! even the pre-alpha game was a blast, but it ran out of content after 30 hours.

    I've played 30 hours with the released version so far and have no sign of running out of content! I'm excited and glad I supported this    a Great game for COOP. I understand this game has some high negatives but I suspect this is due to the fact that this game was pre-alpha. It's now released and Awesome! even the pre-alpha game was a blast, but it ran out of content after 30 hours.

    I've played 30 hours with the released version so far and have no sign of running out of content! I'm excited and glad I supported this game on Early Access.    … Expand
  6. Dark_D3s7r0y3r
    Aug 12, 2016
    10
    You really gotta take reviews before the proper release date with a grain of salt. This game did have a long period of early access, yes, but what many people forget is that this is an indie game that only charges a fourth of the price of a full game release and still managed to actually deliver a full game's worth of content. It's arguable whether this game would actually be worth $60,You really gotta take reviews before the proper release date with a grain of salt. This game did have a long period of early access, yes, but what many people forget is that this is an indie game that only charges a fourth of the price of a full game release and still managed to actually deliver a full game's worth of content. It's arguable whether this game would actually be worth $60, but its $15 asking price for an entire universe of sandbox planets to explore that all feel both familiar and unique, seven interesting races with dozens of codex entries that flesh out their background, a full-length campaign that integrates with your exploration to encourage traversing the universe, a crew system that gives unique followers and passive bonuses based on who you recruit, and full mod support for the community to do practically whatever they'd like with all of this... I honestly couldn't ask for much more beyond making the game fully 3D, but No Man's Sky seems to indicate that that may not be such a good idea.

    Starbound integrates Role-Playing with sandbox and exploration in such a unique way and only has a $15 asking price. For the over 400 hours of enjoyment I've gotten out of it, I would be doing it a disservice to not rate it a full 10. It's been a long journey through the stars for me, and I can forsee a longer yet one in the years to come.    … Expand
  7. adrenilinmatt
    Nov 17, 2019
    10
    why is the user score for this game so low lol, i see that most of the negative reviews are from release date when the game was unfinished early access. this is ridiculous reason to rate a game 0/10.

    heres a 10/10 to counter the ridiculously low scores.
  8. Lhetre
    Jun 18, 2017
    10
    Amazing game, so much todo, so much to explore, so much to build. Possibly better than Terraria - advice may vary.
    PS Look at the date of the reviews, the game has deeply changed as of version 1.7, June 2017, and is still being updated with content.
  9. 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 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 itsDon'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.… Expand
  10. HeyItsAze
    Jun 29, 2014
    10
    This game is one of the best games ever, you can fly to other planets,you can create amazing building with the furniture so please ignore those haters and try this game out

    .PS the soundtrack in this game is amazing
    you should listen to, "On the beach at night"
  11. tpenterties
    Sep 4, 2014
    10
    Nomis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
  12. Madforstarbound
    Jan 30, 2015
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Whoever said this was abandoned, never tried the nightly versions. This game is solid, Really a masterpiece of a game, with all the things a good survival game should have. And also... MOD SUPPORT! Not many games have these. and chucklefish is great at what they do. idiots, who call themselves gamers, can't hold a candle, if they knew what one is, to how amazing this game is.… Expand
  13. Prodigyfire
    Feb 2, 2015
    10
    Anyone who rate this game below a 7 is lying, this game is just beyond comprehension of most people, and those are the people who put below a 7, anyone above that knows a good game when they see it, and we can clearly see the potential Chuckle Fish has out into this awesome game. If I could rate higher then a 10 I would, because this game is just pure awesomeness on our planet.
  14. Elroyscout
    Feb 14, 2015
    10
    This game is art, this game is soul, this game is what this culture needs to survive... sure there will allays some stupid Mushroom cloud in this culture, but that only makes this more amazing by comparison
    i know the art is hyper-generic, i know the combat system is stupid but i do not care, because that is part of the charm. the entire starting universe is lame bland and predictable,    This game is art, this game is soul, this game is what this culture needs to survive... sure there will allays some stupid Mushroom cloud in this culture, but that only makes this more amazing by comparison
    i know the art is hyper-generic, i know the combat system is stupid but i do not care, because that is part of the charm. the entire starting universe is lame bland and predictable, but the player is the one to put their own spin on it, turn their castle ship into Farmer Joe's Cornfeild, go roaming the universe with a cowboy hat or make a paintball arena on a dead planet... which we did on a whim and had such a great payoff.i know this feels unfinished, but that makes it ever more tantalizing, because this game, in early beta, has one hundred and fifty hours of playtime, while the unnamed game which many people claim that this is a ripoff of... has only fifteen minutes, because this thing feels like it has only scratched the surface of it's potential, and yet feels even more wholesome, encompassing, and unique. the races deserve a line and that line is... these may feel a bit generic, but when you actually look at the time, the philosophies, effort and lore they put into seven separate races... you want to pack you bags and move to this galaxy. Unlike other popular games, which are pretentious, silly and just make a lot a noise for the sake of noise, this thing is light, simple and sweet in telling a very simple message, in a very unique way that makes it actually viable...
    Go and explore    … Expand
  15. Alexanderrieke
    Jun 30, 2015
    10
    Look a lot, and I mean A LOT of people have said things like game is unfinished. And it was abandoned by developers. They are ignorant fools with no creativity. I beg you to ignore them. Starbound is a great game. It may not have much content but it has endless amounts of servers and communities! If you have already beat the game, don't worry! It's just the beginning. Go find new friends,Look a lot, and I mean A LOT of people have said things like game is unfinished. And it was abandoned by developers. They are ignorant fools with no creativity. I beg you to ignore them. Starbound is a great game. It may not have much content but it has endless amounts of servers and communities! If you have already beat the game, don't worry! It's just the beginning. Go find new friends, or build a giant house, or build a giant house with your friends. Maybe make a faction or help someone. Or join one of the great player communities. Or use one of the endless mods made by players. Starbound is a canvas. Many people have drawn on it to make a beautiful painting. Now it is your turn to make your painting. What will you decide?… Expand
  16. Popcultures
    Aug 24, 2015
    10
    Starbound is like space exploring adventure. Millions of planets to see and explore with randomly generated biomes and buildings. You can find villages, research facilities, castles, and the list goes on and on. There are currently 6 different races that all have their own unique weapons and armor. This game is still early access, but it still blows my mind on how awesome it is. FunnyStarbound is like space exploring adventure. Millions of planets to see and explore with randomly generated biomes and buildings. You can find villages, research facilities, castles, and the list goes on and on. There are currently 6 different races that all have their own unique weapons and armor. This game is still early access, but it still blows my mind on how awesome it is. Funny dialogue with random NPCs and cool biomes to explore. Speaking of biomes, there is a lot of em'. Underground slime biomes, mushroom villages, gnome villages, so many things to find.

    I love this game, and so should you.    … Expand
  17. CaptainPlatypus
    Oct 11, 2015
    10
    I just can't get my head around people not recommending this game. Stupid haters are gonna hate a guess. I have put 170 well spent hours into this masterpiece. The soundtrack is beautiful, The gameplay is awesome. There is so much lore to the game that you could write a book as long as Harry Potter 5 for every piece of it. This is by far my favorite game, and I would recommend this toI just can't get my head around people not recommending this game. Stupid haters are gonna hate a guess. I have put 170 well spent hours into this masterpiece. The soundtrack is beautiful, The gameplay is awesome. There is so much lore to the game that you could write a book as long as Harry Potter 5 for every piece of it. This is by far my favorite game, and I would recommend this to anyone that likes science fiction. This game is like a cross between Terraria and Startrek, and it is filled with so many hilarious references. I absolutely ADORE this game and everyone that likes Science fiction will to. Great job Chucklefish.… Expand
  18. Lunrun
    Oct 11, 2015
    10
    After the development's hiatus, Starbound is finally back into full-swing with regular updates and content. The recent addition of colonies adds quite a bit of depth to building in the game, and good things seem to be happening with the progression and combat. The art style is rather charming, and the game's humor keeps even some minor additions amusing.

    Furthermore, the game has a    After the development's hiatus, Starbound is finally back into full-swing with regular updates and content. The recent addition of colonies adds quite a bit of depth to building in the game, and good things seem to be happening with the progression and combat. The art style is rather charming, and the game's humor keeps even some minor additions amusing.

    Furthermore, the game has a surprising amount of potential for good builds and servers. My friends and I have built everything from space-bars to giant lasers, a steam-punk planet, an Avian home world, you name it! Even Terraria at its present height doesn't have this much potential for building flavor.

    Also, seriously, why is the OST so good? It's kinda ridiculous. They brought in some straight-up piano and fancy instrumentation for it. It's just another example of how damn ambitious this growing indie game has been.    … Expand
  19. Dreganius
    Oct 11, 2015
    10
    I've owned this game since its first stage of alpha, and felt it was a very well put together game. The updates were slow for a while, but now, the developers are quite actively trying to improve the game. I'd recommend reading only the recent reviews, as things have greatly improved.
    The community is good, the gameplay is good, but in my experiences the game really shines as a    I've owned this game since its first stage of alpha, and felt it was a very well put together game. The updates were slow for a while, but now, the developers are quite actively trying to improve the game. I'd recommend reading only the recent reviews, as things have greatly improved.
    The community is good, the gameplay is good, but in my experiences the game really shines as a roleplaying platform. The assets are very numerous, it's possible to change each individual color on any piece of clothing (with a third-party web-app called SBSE) and the RP communities are great. It's incredibly easy to create custom assets (such as guns, etc) that EVERYONE can see without needing mods, and is overall a very highly moddable game. I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting a good adventure, and especially people who like RPing.    … Expand
  20. Sir_Swag117
    Jan 19, 2016
    10
    This game is absolutely awesome. It is very fun, especially when joining an RP server or something. It doesn't update often, but it is absolutely AWESOME.
  21. Starbound
    Jul 26, 2016
    10
    Incredible. I bought Star-bound from steam 4 years ago for 15$. It was worth its money THEN, now here we are four years later with the 1.0 update (Leaving Orbit). It took a LOOOONNNG time for the game to come out, but the reason it took that long is because the community kept growing. The Developers (Chuckle Fish games) were flooded with money, the kick starter goal was annihilated (in aIncredible. I bought Star-bound from steam 4 years ago for 15$. It was worth its money THEN, now here we are four years later with the 1.0 update (Leaving Orbit). It took a LOOOONNNG time for the game to come out, but the reason it took that long is because the community kept growing. The Developers (Chuckle Fish games) were flooded with money, the kick starter goal was annihilated (in a good way) and Chuckle Fish wanted to give the community, a game that was worth the money that the community had put in, and they did it. The music is some of the BEST MUSIC I have ever heard in video games, AND the music isn't loud and in your face its in the background as you're focusing on collecting ores or exploring an alien planet, this is competing with my favorite game AND one of the best games on Meta-Critic: Cave story. The art style is joyous to say the little detail is what pushes this game to a ten instead of a 9. Oh, and if you're reading: ignore the other reviews that say this game is a linear grind, because it's not. IT'S THE BIGGEST METROID-VANIA THAT YOU HAVE EVER SEEN (sorry for the caps I had to get the point across). But at the same time it's not, its a RPG, and a Exploration, and a Terraria-LIKE game it doesn't copy Terraria but the Tier system is like it. I haven't even begun to talk about the Bosses (No Spoilers). All of them are different and unique, (No Spoilers) The Final Boss, while not being too hard, is FUN, it is PURE FUN, I won't talk about his attacks (even though i want to). The quests, while yes, SOME being fetch/Delivery quests, they make sense. The People who give you quests live on an asteroid, so it makes sense that they might need some Iron or some Silver, that just makes sense to me. Sorry for rambling on this long, if you couldn't tell I really like the game, so I'll end this here with one last thing:

    BUY IT    … Expand
  22. failboy84
    Jan 7, 2017
    10
    amazing game.... there's not much to be said as I haven't really played hundreds of hours (yet) but from the first intro I can tell its already an awesome game. the soundtrack is literally epic, and I don't use that word lightly or often, but in this case its fitting. Every new track I hear is well timed with the games cutscenes and events and sends shivers down my spine.

    The graphics    amazing game.... there's not much to be said as I haven't really played hundreds of hours (yet) but from the first intro I can tell its already an awesome game. the soundtrack is literally epic, and I don't use that word lightly or often, but in this case its fitting. Every new track I hear is well timed with the games cutscenes and events and sends shivers down my spine.

    The graphics are awesome (for a 2d tile based game) and the particle effects add a lot to the scene (rain is especially nice looking, when its wind for example).

    but the main thing that seems to keep me hooked is the sheer volume of content... there's just SO MUCH. I played a while online with my brother (who has played a lot more of the game than I have) and he has an amazing arsenal of bizarre and interesting weapons, all very different from each other.

    My only issue with the game is the performance. I couldn't get the 64bit version to launch and the 32bit version I can play never gets above 50fps on my machine (which isn't a beast pc but can play AAA titles just fine.) however for this game, anything above 30fps really is fine, is still looks smooth and doesn't feel choppy at all...

    so to sum up..... I got several new AAA games for Christmas this year and yet starbound is the game I will be playing for 2017.    … Expand
  23. ANDRESF2033
    Jun 17, 2017
    10
    LA VERDAD YA HE JUGADO TÍTULOS PARECIDOS DE CRAFTEO COMO TERRARIA PERO NUNCA ME LLAMARON MUCHO LA ATENCIÓN , STARBOUND LO TIENE CASI ABSOLUTAMENTE TODO, DESDE MECÁNICAS DE ATAQUE HASTA AUTOS VOLADORES, ES UN BUEN JUEGO SI QUIERES PASAR UN BUEN RATO DE AMIGOS. PERO ES EL MEJOR SI QUIERES CREAR EL MUNDO QUE SIEMPRE SOÑASTE
  24. VendonJura
    May 10, 2023
    10
    Really nice Terraria like game. Lots of fun to play. However, as in any survival game, you have real problems when it comes to hunger and the UI is extremely small. However, the game is still great.

    I've now spent a few hours in the game and I really have to say that this is one of the best games I've played in 2022. The game is just awesome. ✅ A lot to do ✅ NPCs on most planets ✅    Really nice Terraria like game. Lots of fun to play. However, as in any survival game, you have real problems when it comes to hunger and the UI is extremely small. However, the game is still great.

    I've now spent a few hours in the game and I really have to say that this is one of the best games I've played in 2022. The game is just awesome.

    ✅ A lot to do
    ✅ NPCs on most planets
    ✅ These NPCs often even have quests
    ✅ Many NPCs in space or on planets sell or buy things
    ✅ A lot of items that you can use well
    ✅ A lot of recipes you can find. Example 1. You collect a mushroom and learn a recipe such as Boiled Mushrooms.
    ✅ You have several classes that you can play
    ✅ Ingame commands for players who would like to test something or play as admin
    ✅ Achievements
    ✅ Sounds are good
    ✅ Great atmosphere
    ✅ Many skills such as those from Metroid. I won't say what it is because it would be a spoiler ;)
    ✅Many different animals 7 creatures
    ✅You can also capture animals, just like in Pokemon

    ❌ Unfortunately no minimap, at least I haven't seen it.    … Expand
  25. RustyHeart
    Oct 23, 2018
    10
    I'm really flabbergasted to see a 7,2 for user score. I suppose it's votes during early access. But Starbound changed since this period. It became a really complete game. Pixel art is marvelous. The story is cool and you've some greats awesome updates ! Like Mechas and spaces stations. You've such possibilities to have fun, especially with your friend.
  26. HondaSalesman
    Feb 7, 2020
    10
    This is a late review but all of the gripes from early patches in the games life have been revisited, with more content being added on a somewhat regular basis. The game-play is fun and engaging, with the movement getting better and better as you progress throughout the game. It's non-linear story is, while not the most original, is fun and unique in it's own sort of way. All and all it'sThis is a late review but all of the gripes from early patches in the games life have been revisited, with more content being added on a somewhat regular basis. The game-play is fun and engaging, with the movement getting better and better as you progress throughout the game. It's non-linear story is, while not the most original, is fun and unique in it's own sort of way. All and all it's just a fun crafter that you can spend hour after hour enjoying.… Expand
  27. Logonic
    Feb 9, 2020
    10
    Игра замечательная как для созидателей, кто может построить собственную колонию, так и для разрушителей и любителей экшена. С обновлением 1.14 в игре появился новый сюжет и возможности. Все это подталкивает игрока на новые приключения.
    В рецензиях с низкой оценкой от пользователей большинство плохих оценок стоят за неоправданные ожидания, а все баги и неприятности, найденные в 2014-2016    Игра замечательная как для созидателей, кто может построить собственную колонию, так и для разрушителей и любителей экшена. С обновлением 1.14 в игре появился новый сюжет и возможности. Все это подталкивает игрока на новые приключения.
    В рецензиях с низкой оценкой от пользователей большинство плохих оценок стоят за неоправданные ожидания, а все баги и неприятности, найденные в 2014-2016 годах давно исправлены.
    В игру советую заходить с друзьями, так намного веселее и интереснее, но если такой возможности нет, то в starbound вас всегда развеселят забавные диалоги и фразы персонажей.    … Expand
  28. DragonHeart000
    Feb 12, 2020
    10
    If you're a fan of Terraria then you'll love this game and despite what people say, they have some heavy differences. Starbound has a large focus on exploration and items whilst Terraria is more focused on boss fights. Both are excellent games in their own ways.
  29. jackrabbitt64
    Jun 4, 2021
    10
    This game gets flack for stuff that has been resolved years ago. This is one of those games that you play for 2 weeks straight then don't touch for a year and then you do it again. Beyond that, there are massive array of mods to enhance the experience to the point that its almost a new game. However the base game is nothing to scoff at, it is full of NPCs and a amazing bunch of in-depthThis game gets flack for stuff that has been resolved years ago. This is one of those games that you play for 2 weeks straight then don't touch for a year and then you do it again. Beyond that, there are massive array of mods to enhance the experience to the point that its almost a new game. However the base game is nothing to scoff at, it is full of NPCs and a amazing bunch of in-depth and interesting races. The exploration is amazing and the progression is perfect. Upon each playthrough you WILL find something new, whether it is big or small it will be something interesting and worthwhile. BUY THIS GAME, it is worth it, especially with friends.… Expand
  30. Tjerum
    Feb 14, 2022
    10
    For me one of the best games of all time.
    It is a combo from Terraria and No man sky but better.
  31. Vasot
    Jun 10, 2017
    9
    After the developer decided to release Update 1.3 (The Spacefarer expansion update) the game has become really awesome. Not only you can explore planets but you can also explore space and space stations. The game now is really huge with plenty of things to do also there is a significance gameplay improvement all around with the latest patches. The game is huge and very entertaining it'sAfter the developer decided to release Update 1.3 (The Spacefarer expansion update) the game has become really awesome. Not only you can explore planets but you can also explore space and space stations. The game now is really huge with plenty of things to do also there is a significance gameplay improvement all around with the latest patches. The game is huge and very entertaining it's one of the best indie games despite the low quality graphics… Expand
  32. kaltorak
    Jul 28, 2016
    9
    The 1.0 release is awesome. I played this game looong ago on early access, and while it had potential, it wasn't good enough. Now I have been playing non stop since release.

    It's a terraria, with some significant differences. Fighting and building are more separated. On planets, you don't fight much. There is fighting, just not a lot. There you dig, explore and build. Then, there are    The 1.0 release is awesome. I played this game looong ago on early access, and while it had potential, it wasn't good enough. Now I have been playing non stop since release.

    It's a terraria, with some significant differences. Fighting and building are more separated. On planets, you don't fight much. There is fighting, just not a lot. There you dig, explore and build. Then, there are missions and instances, where you are not allowed to build or dig, where the real fighting takes place.

    Another major difference is that you improve your armor like in terraria, by crafting, but weapons are all found exploring. It's much more centered around exploring than terraria. On the other hand, there's less variety in useful items than terraria. I would say starbound has more blocks and decorative items, but it has less real usefull items (still has a lot).

    IMO 1.0 starbound is a very polished game and an awesome experience.    … Expand
  33. NOVEANO
    Jun 5, 2014
    9
    This is the game in have always dreamt to play, a game where you explore the entire universe! There is endless exploring, and amazing lore. Unbelievable structures procedurally generated, I live terraria but this is a step forward. Better graphics, and the music... The music is the best music I have ever listened to in a video game. I can't wait to have this game on my ps4 or vita,This is the game in have always dreamt to play, a game where you explore the entire universe! There is endless exploring, and amazing lore. Unbelievable structures procedurally generated, I live terraria but this is a step forward. Better graphics, and the music... The music is the best music I have ever listened to in a video game. I can't wait to have this game on my ps4 or vita, developers are great as well and keep updating for free all the time.
    This game is unmissable!    … Expand
  34. Estevacio
    Aug 13, 2016
    9
    Please do not take into account most reviews here, the game has finally reached version 1.0, the story is in and you can do whatever you want with the game as well, i have been on this ride since the beggining and i guarantee it is worth the shot( for the newcomers even more since all that you try will be new)
    the art is superb, the amount of content is awesome, if you like sidescrollers    Please do not take into account most reviews here, the game has finally reached version 1.0, the story is in and you can do whatever you want with the game as well, i have been on this ride since the beggining and i guarantee it is worth the shot( for the newcomers even more since all that you try will be new)
    the art is superb, the amount of content is awesome, if you like sidescrollers with build mechanics and resource gathering you will love this one!!    … Expand
  35. Airaindust
    Sep 5, 2014
    9
    This game is really fun. I'm waiting for the final build but play nightly sometimes. Anyone calling this a scam is an uninformed idiot. Tired of hearing about how they don't update because if you weren't an idiot you would know they do every night. Give the game a chance if you are interested and do your own research instead of listening to trolls.
  36. Hecatone
    Aug 22, 2017
    9
    This is one of the best games I've ever played. It's easy to get absorbed into this procedurally created world and all its oddity. Most of the poor reviews on here are about the game not having been completed and should be updated.
  37. SelfAwareLlama
    Jul 30, 2015
    9
    The game has been in development for longer than I care to remember. Every 'major' update we receive tend to be pointless. I remember the update where all they did was add in pets that do absolutely NOTHING. Not what I consider a major update. Meanwhile they've had a ridiculous amount of funding from people who pre-ordered the game on their website and have made little progress.
    And    The game has been in development for longer than I care to remember. Every 'major' update we receive tend to be pointless. I remember the update where all they did was add in pets that do absolutely NOTHING. Not what I consider a major update. Meanwhile they've had a ridiculous amount of funding from people who pre-ordered the game on their website and have made little progress.
    And meanwhile Chucklefish are wasting their time and resources publishing countless other indie games when they can't even finish developing their own game!    … Expand
  38. ZippyRagu
    May 21, 2014
    9
    I believe this game is truly something of beauty and amazement. It's lore is the best I've seen in a long time, combined with the aspect of building, combat, and most important, exploring. Hopping from planet to planet, system to system, makes the whole game seem never ending. So much to see do and build is beyond anything I've seen in a long time.

    What makes this game differ from an    I believe this game is truly something of beauty and amazement. It's lore is the best I've seen in a long time, combined with the aspect of building, combat, and most important, exploring. Hopping from planet to planet, system to system, makes the whole game seem never ending. So much to see do and build is beyond anything I've seen in a long time.

    What makes this game differ from an incredibly similar game like Terraria? One thing major thing that caught my eye was the animations. They're beautiful, bouncy and fun to look at. Even swinging a sword feels good. Another major difference is that this ones more surface-based. You'll be finding yourself wandering on the surface a lot more which I personally enjoy, considering you may encounter npcs like avians or glitches, which are actually birds and robots.

    I encourage anyone questioning whether or not to purchase this to not be off put by reviews that say it's not worth it because its a Terraria clone. Many have said the same thing about Terraria and Minecraft in fact, that Terraria is just a 2D clone of Minecraft, which depending on your definition, really isn't. I say take a risk, spend a few bucks, and have a great time exploring the universe. Creativeness bursts within this game.    … Expand
  39. Blazington
    Jun 26, 2014
    9
    Vastly superior to Terraria with its own original ideas and concepts-- and don't let anyone tell you differently. Starbound makes the 2D survive-and-craft sandbox game feel limitless, which other games of the genre generally fail to do.

    It achieves this by letting you fly to planets, explore generated cities and villages, and collect a huge amount of furniture and objects. There is a    Vastly superior to Terraria with its own original ideas and concepts-- and don't let anyone tell you differently. Starbound makes the 2D survive-and-craft sandbox game feel limitless, which other games of the genre generally fail to do.

    It achieves this by letting you fly to planets, explore generated cities and villages, and collect a huge amount of furniture and objects. There is a lot of depth to this game, and it keeps on growing. Better played than read about.    … Expand
  40. Woollenhat
    Aug 6, 2014
    9
    Most fun I have had in years in any kind of game, especially coop. Art is wonderful, music is great and building stuff is incredibly satisfying, if you are creatively inclined.

    That being said, it really is still in a very rough state and it is clear that it is far from finished. Once you have 'cleared' the content that is available at the moment, there is not much or nothing in the way    Most fun I have had in years in any kind of game, especially coop. Art is wonderful, music is great and building stuff is incredibly satisfying, if you are creatively inclined.

    That being said, it really is still in a very rough state and it is clear that it is far from finished. Once you have 'cleared' the content that is available at the moment, there is not much or nothing in the way of dungeon crawling, questing etc.

    Yet I find the criticism displayed here unreasonable, because it actually does not criticise the game, but the development cycle. A game taking long to develop is actually not valid criticism of the quality of the game**

    If I judge what I have gotten for my money, which is 70-80h* of delightful gameplay for about 15€ or so, then I can say that this is great value and has left me highly satisfied. Would I like to continue playing with more content? Hell yeah. But I'll have to wait till the game is properly out.

    *mostly coop. Probably would have been much shorter, if I had played entirely solo.

    ** I am not suggesting that people cannot be rightfully upset at having the release date pushed multiple times if they have been fans of the first hour. But the rating should not reflect your estimate of how well the development progresses, but what the game offers right now in its current form — which I personally find more then satisfying.    … Expand
  41. 3dsboy08
    Feb 1, 2015
    9
    Very nice game. Extremely detailed and awesome to play. When the Upbeat Giraffe update was released, it made the game a LOT more fun to play. Play it, it is worth the 20$.
  42. Raymond123
    Mar 2, 2015
    9
    The game is like a great and remastered version of terraria with diffrent worlds, quests, and a home ship. It has tons of long-term play abilty and provides quests which helps you along your way instead of you wondering what to do. You can also choose from several specieas, each with a slightly different story and ship. Great fun! Get for pre-release before the price raises!
  43. Nataruma
    Aug 9, 2015
    9
    I don't understand why people think there's nothing but a linear grind, when really you have a vast galaxy to explore as you like. Apart from that, you can on your travels come across and collect different outfits, weaponry, furnishings (A LOT) and find weird and wacky locals to interact with. There's been significant content updates since 2014, with another pretty significant update justI don't understand why people think there's nothing but a linear grind, when really you have a vast galaxy to explore as you like. Apart from that, you can on your travels come across and collect different outfits, weaponry, furnishings (A LOT) and find weird and wacky locals to interact with. There's been significant content updates since 2014, with another pretty significant update just around the corner from the time of writing this review.

    Those who keep comparing it to Terraria really shouldn't. I hated Terraria, but I love Starbound because the focus seems more to do with exploration than "survive this horrendous attack on your house", and the tools and crafting system seem more intuitive to me. Not to knock the survival genre game, but it's not my favourite, and Starbound has elements of combat within it, but it doesn't take away from the enjoyment of the game or lay waste to all your hard work within one bad blood moon attack.

    I'd also like to add that multiplayer really adds more enjoyment to the game, just because everything's more fun with friends, you can also set yourselves interesting challenges with the power of your imagination, like who can terraform a planet faster, or who can build the biggest monstrous building in a set amount of time. The options are literally only as limited as your brain power ;)    … Expand
  44. Reinsol
    Dec 15, 2016
    9
    For me, Starbound lived up to the hype. I was an early beta player and playing it after 1.0 was like playing a whole new game. Good times solo and playing with a buddy, base building feels good and tech skills and developer dungeons keep it interesting.
  45. ADMouse
    Dec 6, 2015
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is a good game even in Beta, with so much things to do, and explore, but it doesn't have a propose to continue the storyline, and doesn't have too much of story. The bosses are way to difficult with the maximum requirement, but having a strategy maybe will help you. It's nice to play it and see it evolve… Expand
  46. slickserpent99
    Nov 25, 2016
    9
    If you like adventure games, this is the game for you. Land on a planet, travel across the surface to find old ruins and secret laboratories, or trek through a cave into the vast underground to find old, ruined outposts, underground cities, underground jungles, graves, and MOAR secret laboratories. A captivating game that will suck you in. It's a bit slow to start, but, if you put time andIf you like adventure games, this is the game for you. Land on a planet, travel across the surface to find old ruins and secret laboratories, or trek through a cave into the vast underground to find old, ruined outposts, underground cities, underground jungles, graves, and MOAR secret laboratories. A captivating game that will suck you in. It's a bit slow to start, but, if you put time and effort into this game, the payoff will be amazing. THIS is what gamers should play rather than that unfinished repetitive mess that is No Man's Sky.… Expand
  47. Forbbiden
    Sep 2, 2016
    9
    I bought this game and i wasn't expecting much, on the first day i played like 10 hours straight, the game has a story and hundreds of items that you can collect, some weapons have a extra skill and adds a little more strategy to battles, the bosses are fun to fight against but that don't applies to the common foes, that are really dumb and just run to attack.
  48. Game_Chip
    Mar 20, 2017
    9
    Really cool game! I love the story a lot and I love that you can explore other unknown planets just like Mass Effect. In my opinion I think this game is a combination of Minecraft, Terraria and Mass effect! (In a good way) Love the art style, really shows that pixel-based games can turn out to be amazing games! I give this game a 9/10!
  49. gravehaven
    Sep 25, 2022
    9
    So much fun. 2d minecraft with spaceships, how could you possibly go wrong? Really fun with friends too.
  50. JiggyOfficial
    Dec 2, 2018
    9
    Definetely in my top 10 favorite games of all time. The exploration and adventure aspect of the game is on point, the story is very entertaining, the survival side of the game is not easy but not too challenging and the new content that gets added every month or so makes it even better of a experience. The crafting is perfect, not too demanding neither too easy again. Basically this gameDefinetely in my top 10 favorite games of all time. The exploration and adventure aspect of the game is on point, the story is very entertaining, the survival side of the game is not easy but not too challenging and the new content that gets added every month or so makes it even better of a experience. The crafting is perfect, not too demanding neither too easy again. Basically this game is perfect for a person that likes adventure because of the massive universe you are dropped into and left free to do whatever you want. I absolutely love the game and it's experience!… Expand
  51. TinyTin
    Oct 15, 2020
    9
    Music in this game is masterpiece, it really make me to find these theme and hear again. Other things like graphic and mechanic, storyline some are good some bad but overall, it's fantastic .
  52. cylentstorm
    Dec 5, 2021
    8
    Starbound (in its final form) is a fun 2D sci-fi take on the whole "survivalcraft" sandbox craze from years ago, with an emphasis on exploration and adventure. Building and crafting options are extensive, but are mostly optional in comparison to something like Terraria (which is still incredibly fun to this day.)

    In spite of Starbound's checkered development history led by Chucklefish    Starbound (in its final form) is a fun 2D sci-fi take on the whole "survivalcraft" sandbox craze from years ago, with an emphasis on exploration and adventure. Building and crafting options are extensive, but are mostly optional in comparison to something like Terraria (which is still incredibly fun to this day.)

    In spite of Starbound's checkered development history led by Chucklefish founder and exploitative punk Finn Brice, the game is still well worth playing and exploring--even in 2021.    … Expand
  53. Vas
    Jun 29, 2014
    8
    This great game has a lot you can do in the beginning. If you don't cheat or get help from players, you can be entertained for many days gathering what you need to go up to the next level. You can create structures and traps and fun designs as well. With mods, you can add a lot more to your game which will make it last longer and more entertaining. There are endless planets you canThis great game has a lot you can do in the beginning. If you don't cheat or get help from players, you can be entertained for many days gathering what you need to go up to the next level. You can create structures and traps and fun designs as well. With mods, you can add a lot more to your game which will make it last longer and more entertaining. There are endless planets you can visit so you can always go far away to a planet no one will find to build your stuff, in order to protect it. Planets of different sizes and types, so there is always a unique planet to find, with many unique NPCs and bases.… Expand
  54. zombiechan
    Sep 24, 2014
    8
    I picked up Starbound months ago and I've set up a server for me and my friends. We had a great time goofing off and building stuff. Doing our usual stuff when it comes to sandbox games like this.

    The music is pleasant and I love some of the random aliens you run into. If you enjoyed Terraria but wanted to prefer Scifi, then Starbound is worth a check. (A lot of people seem to be    I picked up Starbound months ago and I've set up a server for me and my friends. We had a great time goofing off and building stuff. Doing our usual stuff when it comes to sandbox games like this.

    The music is pleasant and I love some of the random aliens you run into. If you enjoyed Terraria but wanted to prefer Scifi, then Starbound is worth a check.

    (A lot of people seem to be rating this game with zeros saying it was unfinished, but I do not know what they expected from buying a game that is in early access.)    … Expand
  55. Orizon
    Aug 4, 2016
    8
    I bought Starbound while still in alpha (late 2013) and spent a fair amount of time on it, on many builds: I really don't understand all the hate that came up with 1.0 release.

    While it clearly misses some of the declared features (e.g. space combat or mechs - though you can easily get mech using mods) it delivers a satisfying and funny experience to the player. Simply put: 2d art    I bought Starbound while still in alpha (late 2013) and spent a fair amount of time on it, on many builds: I really don't understand all the hate that came up with 1.0 release.

    While it clearly misses some of the declared features
    (e.g. space combat or mechs - though you can easily get mech using mods)
    it delivers a satisfying and funny experience to the player.

    Simply put: 2d art is gorgeous, combat is compelling and fun (wide array of weapon types), crafting is good (many recipes, blocks, upgradeable crafting stations, wiring for advanced building).
    Overall, the game is quite polished and fully enjoyable.

    The feeling? It's Great too: having a spaceship to "freely roam" the space while exploring new planets - where you'll often find caves, outposts, chests, and interesting stuff in general - really gets you involved and willing to spend lot of hours on the game.

    8/10, highly recommended!    … Expand
  56. ReviewBros
    Jul 9, 2014
    8
    its a really cool sci fi game. ive played around 6 hours and loving it. its like mine craft and terrairer put together but set in the future. with over 20 weapons and diffrent materials makes it great. a must buy for addictive gamers.
  57. Knoxx
    Dec 23, 2014
    8
    Starbound is a great game it has so much content the planets you can explore the terraria gameplay the random encounters with aliens quests and much more if you like terraria you will like this game if you like space exploration you will like this game as well
  58. ninjaofthewest
    Feb 1, 2015
    8
    This is one of the most underrated game of 2014. For those who were raging about the game's problems most of these problems have been addressed and fixed. For
  59. FacundoCritics
    Aug 25, 2016
    8
    Al fin después de tanto tiempo, sacaron la versión final de este juego que prometía tanto. Gráficos bonitos, historia irrelevante, pero entretenida. Muchas cosas para hacer, super divertido con amigos. Terraria del espacio vaya.
  60. Amir-Hadzi
    Jul 31, 2016
    8
    Starbound is a great game and very enjoyable but it has some of it's flaws. Art style , music and gameplay of the game are great, follow that up with vast ammounts of planets (areas) to explore and you can have hours of fun. Combat was one of the things i loved most when it comes to this game because of pure variety it has, you have axes, guns, rifles, huge eyes laser weapons and so on...Starbound is a great game and very enjoyable but it has some of it's flaws. Art style , music and gameplay of the game are great, follow that up with vast ammounts of planets (areas) to explore and you can have hours of fun. Combat was one of the things i loved most when it comes to this game because of pure variety it has, you have axes, guns, rifles, huge eyes laser weapons and so on...
    It's Terraria inspired and it looks like Terraria but people who played both games will know the difference but games is really a game of it's own not a Terraria clone. Biggest weakpoints of the game are:
    -Interactions both with characters and items/blocks and the inability to hit something under you with weapons
    -Bad story it's just bad
    If you can overcome this flaws you will enjoy the game and you can look forward to updates with a lot of content that will give you another reason to explore. Also this game features a good multiplayer system where you can have tons of fun with friends.
    Best qualities of the game are:
    -Variety in combat, as i have said numerous weapons and great variety of enemies to defeat each with it's special attacks.
    -Music just good soundtrack for me at least
    -Art style it looks very nice and it's enjoyable to explore those beatyful looking worlds
    -Lot of content
    -One of the closest things to No man's sky with a galaxy to explore (lot smaller honestly) but if you are not able to play No man's sky this is game for you
    Conclusion: Starbound is a game with rocky start that's why there are so many bad reviews but now it's actually enjoyable game. Rare game that acutally isn't much overpriced. If you decide to buy it you can have tons of fun from it's many features from fun multiplayer to good singleplayer.    … Expand
  61. c0b4ltl1ghtn1ng
    Jan 9, 2017
    8
    I've been with Starbound since the late Koala stages (they named their beta stages after animals, instead of 0.1 or 0.38) and I say 'pick this one up' as much as I did back then.

    If you've played Terraria, then you're already in a familiar field: 2D Minecraft-like, except this one is a bit more floaty. The Combat can seem kinda slow and unbalanced at times (in both directions, mind) but    I've been with Starbound since the late Koala stages (they named their beta stages after animals, instead of 0.1 or 0.38) and I say 'pick this one up' as much as I did back then.

    If you've played Terraria, then you're already in a familiar field: 2D Minecraft-like, except this one is a bit more floaty. The Combat can seem kinda slow and unbalanced at times (in both directions, mind) but the real area Starbound shines is the exploration.
    Beam down to a Planet, scour it for ores and/or treasures, or just enjoy the scenery above and below ground all the way to the Small Meteorites orbiting the atmosphere above or the planet's molten core bellow. When you're finished, tell Scotty to beam you back up, find a new planet, and repeat.

    Of course, the game does still have it's faults.
    During it's Beta phases, there was no real goal in how to progress through the game, aside from 'get the bestest gear ever.' Now that it's released we finally have a story driven plot:
    Some big tentacle monster destroyed Earth, and you gotta stop it form destroying the rest of the universe, somehow. Sounds Noble, right?
    Unless you focus on the story, it can get outright forgotten about. That's a good and bad thing: There's so much to do anyway, but it's part of the game that just feels lackluster compared to everything else. It can easily be plowed through in a few hours, although there was a recent update that adds post story content. I've not checked that out yet

    Apparently some people have been having problems just running the game since it's official release. I do not know why, it's always run smoothly for me. Try running it in a different display mode, is what I'd suggest (if windowed, try fullscreen, etc).

    And the mods, oh golly the mods. At once point the Devs made it a clear goal to make the game as easy to modify as they possibly could, and it still shows today. As of right now, Starbound's Steam Workshop has a little over two Thousand separate mods for it, although totaling to 3500. The second number, however, includes the outdated mods that were abandoned due to a dry update period.

    Overall, I say get this game, and get a friend or two to get this game, too. The vastness of space is best explored with buddies.    … Expand
  62. memoriter
    Nov 28, 2018
    8
    Starbound is a game dear to my heart. It has all the warmth and magic of my SNES favorites in an expansive, seemingly-endless sci-fi universe ready to be explored, conquered, and colonized. The controls are smooth and easy to master. The graphics are simply charming, and the soundtrack is pure magic. For such an inexpensive product, Starbound really is a wonderful experience. If you likeStarbound is a game dear to my heart. It has all the warmth and magic of my SNES favorites in an expansive, seemingly-endless sci-fi universe ready to be explored, conquered, and colonized. The controls are smooth and easy to master. The graphics are simply charming, and the soundtrack is pure magic. For such an inexpensive product, Starbound really is a wonderful experience. If you like pixel games, then this might be the one for you. Have fun.… Expand
  63. Welbar
    May 9, 2020
    8
    Очень интересная и привлекательная 2D песочница, чем-то напоминающая террариа. Только в отличии от террарии в игре меньше контента, но это исправляется модами. Еще в качестве минусов хочу сказать что очень редко выходят обновленияОчень интересная и привлекательная 2D песочница, чем-то напоминающая террариа. Только в отличии от террарии в игре меньше контента, но это исправляется модами. Еще в качестве минусов хочу сказать что очень редко выходят обновления
  64. DingerDonger
    Jun 30, 2020
    8
    Ah, Starbound. Before I begin this review let me say that I've put in around 500 hours since the game's initial early access release on Steam.

    This is by far my favorite sandbox game. The music, the art, the different races, and the overall theme are all things I love. The story quests are a little weak in my opinion; I love the idea but playing them more than once is such a drudgery.    Ah, Starbound. Before I begin this review let me say that I've put in around 500 hours since the game's initial early access release on Steam.

    This is by far my favorite sandbox game. The music, the art, the different races, and the overall theme are all things I love. The story quests are a little weak in my opinion; I love the idea but playing them more than once is such a drudgery. My other complaint is that character builds aren't very customizable as there are only a few gear slots that determine everything about your character. Not even the race of the character makes a difference, which is a bit of a downer.

    Also, don't forget to save planets; it's nearly impossible to relocate a planet you've been to if you don't save the coordinates (which is thankfully easy to do). I haven't given the new endgame bounty stuff much of a shot but it looks great.

    Starbound is absolutely worth picking up, even after all these years, if you enjoy sandbox games. You will never run out of places to explore.    … Expand
  65. Tabbou
    Sep 2, 2022
    8
    Nice game lot of thing to do : fight, collect, build, do some quests, equip, upgrade, grow crops, space travel etc...
    The thing is there is TOO MUCH objects to collect, assemble and craft, you have to spend hours just to make 1 good equipement or find 1 good weapon.
    Good that there is easy access to admin console tho, it can save you hours without ruining the fun if you use it from time    Nice game lot of thing to do : fight, collect, build, do some quests, equip, upgrade, grow crops, space travel etc...
    The thing is there is TOO MUCH objects to collect, assemble and craft, you have to spend hours just to make 1 good equipement or find 1 good weapon.
    Good that there is easy access to admin console tho, it can save you hours without ruining the fun if you use it from time to time only    … Expand
  66. Joe_Sanderson
    May 17, 2021
    8
    It's safe to say that Starbound is one of the best games of its kind. I've sunken close to 500 hours into this game, and since its first early access stages it's improved tenfold. However, I do have to admit that the game is best played with mods, so steam is where you should be buying it. Admittedly the story is a bit tiring at times, but what I like is that you're not actually requiredIt's safe to say that Starbound is one of the best games of its kind. I've sunken close to 500 hours into this game, and since its first early access stages it's improved tenfold. However, I do have to admit that the game is best played with mods, so steam is where you should be buying it. Admittedly the story is a bit tiring at times, but what I like is that you're not actually required to play it, you can mess around and progress normally without doing any missions. Modders have already fixed most of the gripes I have with this game, and if you have an issue look it up on the Steam Workshop and no doubt there will be a mod for that exact issue!… Expand
  67. nomeoriginale
    Aug 6, 2021
    8
    очень хорошая игра с хорошим саундтреком (довольно грустным) , сюжет плохой , но в этой игре сюжет - не главное.
    игра похожа на террарию.
  68. MisterSlick
    May 15, 2022
    8
    A fine game that, though it feels a bit unfinished, can be one of the most addictive games possible. The story telling is nice, though a little wonky at times, and fun weapons ranging from pistols to assault rifles to giant hammers and swords to rocket launchers. It may look like space Terraria, but it is far from it. The modding community also adds a lot if you feel it is unfinished andA fine game that, though it feels a bit unfinished, can be one of the most addictive games possible. The story telling is nice, though a little wonky at times, and fun weapons ranging from pistols to assault rifles to giant hammers and swords to rocket launchers. It may look like space Terraria, but it is far from it. The modding community also adds a lot if you feel it is unfinished and can easily fill in the gaps. I only wish I could pet the Fluffalos.… Expand
  69. BrotherMan
    Jun 11, 2022
    8
    Starbound is exactly what a space adventure should be. There is so much stuff to do and the playability of the game is really good too. Recommended to people who would like to experience a new universe with charming artstyle and a what seems like an infinite collection of cosmetics and building blocks. Terraria but in space but also better :)
  70. PotatoePink
    Jan 31, 2023
    8
    Without mods this game is just ok but with several mods it is a very good game.
  71. Noggu
    May 19, 2023
    8
    Starbound is just on its own a whole another universe where you can build or conquer anywhere you want, create your own colonies. And enjoy the deep, sci-fi experience.
  72. firehazard42
    Aug 16, 2016
    7
    Starbound is one of the finest examples of a game with loads of ambition that, through lots of hard work and dedication from both the player and the developers, manages to be both addictive and engaging. It’s a game that gives back what you put into it: Gives you the chance to let you experience the massive universe how you so choose.

    Unlike other games in the similar vein, Starbound    Starbound is one of the finest examples of a game with loads of ambition that, through lots of hard work and dedication from both the player and the developers, manages to be both addictive and engaging. It’s a game that gives back what you put into it: Gives you the chance to let you experience the massive universe how you so choose.

    Unlike other games in the similar vein, Starbound actually manages to have a Story behind it. Unfortunately (yet not exactly surprisingly) the story itself isn’t interesting or meaningful. Between predictable and tired apocalyptic stakes, boring villains running an unironically and equally as boring cult, and ancient all-powerful evil and six macguffins to drive the “plot” forward; The story only serves to be an ultimate end goal to slowly work your way towards.

    Thankfully what truly drives the experience, and what the developers wisely chose to focus their efforts on is the universe itself. Vast and expansive, varied in both scope and content, filled to the brim with characters of many kinds. There’s no two places exactly alike, and there’s so much to explore and find.

    But more importantly, the game encourages you to experiment with how you interact with the world and play whichever way you choose: Whether to be a heroic space Bounty Hunter working together with your crew to trifle evil wherever you go, a lonely Asteroid Miner treading carefully among the depths of space to make a profit, or a humble farmer doing nothing but working their homestead; There is a multitude of ways to tackle the universe. It’s just a shame that the story missions themselves seem to only be about killing and destruction. The game would have benefited greatly if they had introduced more variety with the main missions. As an aside; Between the easy multiplayer and the very robust, simple to use modding system the game supports both serve a great benefit, providing the game with potentially infinite content and hours and hours of fun with your friends.

    Packed with charm and wit, a vast universe, and so much to create and explore, Starbound has eventually become one of the most compelling experiences in a long time, and while it isn't perfect, I don’t plan on quitting any time soon.    … Expand
  73. Kislen
    Aug 12, 2015
    7
    The gameplay is fun, interesting - I like the plans and ideas they have. The music is amazing, the visuals look great.

    The game is lacking content. If you want to dress your character up, decorate your house or build a neat looking house there's LOADS of content, but exploring lacks enough variables to keep it interesting, and there is little in terms of crafting equipment at this    The gameplay is fun, interesting - I like the plans and ideas they have. The music is amazing, the visuals look great.

    The game is lacking content. If you want to dress your character up, decorate your house or build a neat looking house there's LOADS of content, but exploring lacks enough variables to keep it interesting, and there is little in terms of crafting equipment at this current time.

    I enjoyed the game, but it definitely needs some more meat to be added to it.    … Expand
  74. doctuar
    Aug 4, 2016
    7
    When I initially started playing this title, I thought it was just going to be a sandbox survival affair, like Terraria or Minecraft. To an extent, it is, but - once you progress through the initial few missions - the game expands into a spacefaring exploration adventure. I knew practically nothing about this game before being gifted it, so that came as a nice surprise.

    Starbound has    When I initially started playing this title, I thought it was just going to be a sandbox survival affair, like Terraria or Minecraft. To an extent, it is, but - once you progress through the initial few missions - the game expands into a spacefaring exploration adventure. I knew practically nothing about this game before being gifted it, so that came as a nice surprise.

    Starbound has some very neat ideas, such as the way you have to upgrade your equipment to explore different types of planet, and the level of crafting is very detailed. I had an awful lot of fun exploring the depths of the various worlds, finding secret temples and unusual locations. The multiplayer can be fun as well, as players with more advanced equipment can help out those newer to the game and help them progress. There are also boss battles and a gladiatorial arena which offer exciting challenges, especially with a group.

    However, the game lacks a certain polish and it can often be a chore to play. A lot of the "main" missions involve you having to scan artefacts from various alien civilizations, and this is infrequently fun. I suppose you could argue that this is something you can passively undertake during the course of your explorations, but it still feels like a drag. Also, the game has some performance issues that can often make it unplayable. I initially put these down to PC specs or Internet connection but, more often than not, restarting the client seems to clear things up, so I'm not entirely sure what causes the game to slow down so badly. There also seems to be lots of bugs regarding mission completion, especially if you play alongside somebody else. I completed the early missions just fine, but the game doesn't seem to acknowledge this and won't grant me access to certain shops because it thinks I haven't unlocked them yet. It's not the end of the world, but it is frustrating to put the effort in, only for the game to blithely ignore this.

    Another niggle is that, in the early stages, the weapons and armour you create feel strangely out-of-touch with the sci-fi aesthetic. You will kit your character out with plate armour, swords and bows, despite having access to an FTL spaceship and transporter technology. Personally, this didn't bother me (I found it rather cute), but Mass Effect this ain't.

    To be clear, I think your expectations going will dictate how much you enjoy this game. If you're perfectly happy to explore, build a neat little house and occasionally complete a story mission to further your progress, there is a lot to like. The construction system is really satisfying and, as a self-confessed amateur at this kind of thing, I had no problem creating cool little buildings filled with interesting furniture, gadgets and decorations.

    If, however, you are looking for a bombastic, RPG-style adventure with interesting characters, locations and story, you will probably be disappointed. It seems to me that this aspect of the game is a little tacked on, frankly, and needs a lot more clarity in where you should be going or why you should even care.

    Overall, I have been fiendishly addicted to this since installing it, but it still feels rough around the edges and, often, can be very frustrating. I'm also not sure I would enjoy playing this on my own, but perhaps that's the point. Still, if you're willing to put the work in, I'm sure there's a lot of fun times to be had.    … Expand
  75. TimW001
    Sep 26, 2016
    7
    This is a world builder game that fixes a lot of the flaws and annoyances of other games in the same genre. The game is best played with friends and others. It's easy to connect to your friends. it also has very light specs so anyone can play it with no lag or connectivity issues. Also no loading screens. It's a large expansive universe with diverse planets. It's simple to learn and hasThis is a world builder game that fixes a lot of the flaws and annoyances of other games in the same genre. The game is best played with friends and others. It's easy to connect to your friends. it also has very light specs so anyone can play it with no lag or connectivity issues. Also no loading screens. It's a large expansive universe with diverse planets. It's simple to learn and has fun enemies and weapons. You can dig to nearly the center of a planet and still find new things and adventures. Including portals to other worlds and underground cities.
    it also gives you the ability to build dwellings for residents who can move in and start a shop or restaurant. These buildings can be as large or small as you want. You can build it.
    I'm well over 12 hours deep in the game and I simply wish there was more direction, more quests, more story. it is a world builder and that's basically it.    … Expand
  76. PenisMan69
    Jun 14, 2014
    7
    Starbound is a pretty good game, but very unfinished. It's updated frequently, but mostly with Holiday content (Want to dress up like Santa Claus? You'll be happy. Want more than a few hours worth of gameplay? You probably won't be.)
  77. mmmMatto
    Sep 7, 2015
    7
    The most recent update added a decent amount of new stuff, so after a hiatus from early access I started a new character and played a bit again.

    The game isn't novel in the slightest. It's usually compared to Terraria, and rightfully so, and compared to the aforementioned If you've played that game you know what to expect. Differences (positive, negative, or neutral, your choice)    The most recent update added a decent amount of new stuff, so after a hiatus from early access I started a new character and played a bit again.

    The game isn't novel in the slightest. It's usually compared to Terraria, and rightfully so, and compared to the aforementioned If you've played that game you know what to expect. Differences (positive, negative, or neutral, your choice) include: Different species to choose from... the crafting system isn't as complex... there are more NPCs... it's slightly more quest-oriented... and it's in space...

    It costs more than Terraria so I suggest waiting for a Steam sale if you want to pick it up.

    Final thoughts: It's not original in the slightest. It costs more than Terraria so if you want to check it out wait for a sale. It won't take that many in-game hours to see most everything so it's not really worth $15. That said it's pretty fun for about a week so it gets a pass by a narrow margin.    … Expand
  78. SavageSalamence
    Feb 2, 2015
    7
    People realize now that it has been updated, it has no longer been not updated
    This game will entertain you for quite a while, but it doesn't have as much depth as it may seem. It's a great exploration game with a brilliant soundtrack, but it doesn't quite deliver a deep and progressive experience like other games such as Terraria do
  79. Zipprian
    Sep 9, 2014
    7
    The game is initially very fun and kills a lot of time. After a while it gets extremely repetitive and the different races are really just different visually, they all play exactly the same.
  80. Techbane
    Aug 2, 2016
    7
    I don't regret having bought it at this point, I guess. After ad nauseum iterations of the combat engine, they finally came up with something workable for 1.0 at least. There are a LOT of things that got the axe or ended up underdeveloped, a lot of broken promises, etc. (remember the mechs? or the proposed space combat system?) but it's at least reasonably fun. The various races are stillI don't regret having bought it at this point, I guess. After ad nauseum iterations of the combat engine, they finally came up with something workable for 1.0 at least. There are a LOT of things that got the axe or ended up underdeveloped, a lot of broken promises, etc. (remember the mechs? or the proposed space combat system?) but it's at least reasonably fun. The various races are still really neat, the game looks and sounds beautiful at times, but the overall progression boils down to mining some ore -> upgrading stuff -> running a dungeon and fighting a boss -> repeat. It's much less of a competitor to Terraria than it was trying to be, but it's fun to get immersed in for a few hours, moreso with friends.… Expand
  81. Anoobizzz
    Jul 24, 2016
    7
    Overall - the game is great. Been playing since the release of beta back in 2014, now it is even bigger and more interesting to play BUT. The pace of the game and some of the mechanics are just unsatisfying. Sometimes caving goes way too slow and boring and sometimes same thing happens to combat. What i wanted to mention is soundtrack. It is probably just me but it is way too depressiveOverall - the game is great. Been playing since the release of beta back in 2014, now it is even bigger and more interesting to play BUT. The pace of the game and some of the mechanics are just unsatisfying. Sometimes caving goes way too slow and boring and sometimes same thing happens to combat. What i wanted to mention is soundtrack. It is probably just me but it is way too depressive from time to time and makes me want to switch to my own playlist.
    We'll see later how this game will progress as development goes on, but it is already enough for now to call Starbound a worthy game.    … Expand
  82. Machiniman20
    Aug 5, 2016
    7
    Having waited so long, I finally played through Starbound. I will say that the game was fun, and relatively challenging, even though I speed-ran my way to the best gear before any of the story really happened. I did appreciate that I was free to do that.

    I wasn't incredibly gripped by the story progression, but the characters were decent, and the gameplay was alright. Not the best game    Having waited so long, I finally played through Starbound. I will say that the game was fun, and relatively challenging, even though I speed-ran my way to the best gear before any of the story really happened. I did appreciate that I was free to do that.

    I wasn't incredibly gripped by the story progression, but the characters were decent, and the gameplay was alright. Not the best game I've ever played, but it's definitely a fun experience if you're willing to spend a couple bucks.

    7/10, would recommend if you have some spare cash and a certain sense of patience for repetition. Not a ton of variance in the game, which is a grand irony considering how it was initially made to be a vast, infinite universe of different things.

    The soundtrack added so much to this game's score in my head. Absolutely phenomenal music that evokes emotions beyond the game itself. Very, VERY well done musically. I think my love for the music might actually cause my rating of this game to be higher than it should.

    4 of the points I gave this game go to the music. Potentially the savior of a game that could've been a flop.

    In terms of graphic design, I certainly couldn't complain, there was a ton of graphic variance and a lot of beautiful environments. Solid

    3 of my points there. Along with the music, this really saved this game.

    The combat mechanics were fluid but very repetitive, and a lot of the weapons didn't really feel worth it.

    2 of my points. Not much more to say here.

    The story was the big letdown. Not really anything that sucks you in, except for the very beginning and the very end. It doesn't really feel like a cohesive story, just a bunch of linear events that just happen to tie together to make the story conveniently work. Each "story" mission simply consisted of scanning a bunch of things, returning to the hub, and then running off to a conveniently designed environment to complete a quest that feels like it could easily be rewritten to fit any of the other in-game races, which are supposed to feel important.

    The story actually takes 2 points away of my score of Starbound. Honestly a very disappointing element. It really doesn't carry the weight that it should. I honestly was more intrigued by the vague story-esque elements of Terraria, where there wasn't much of a story at all, just hints that drove you to explore the game more.    … Expand
  83. JustABot
    Sep 9, 2018
    7
    This was actually a good game before the protectorate update, the update was good yeah but since the update playing it slowly made it boring.
  84. InterestingName
    Dec 13, 2020
    7
    Terraria in space! The exploration is more fun than Terraria, but the combat is worse.
  85. Mazma
    Dec 25, 2020
    7
    Meglio di terrarria in ogni aspetto, ma meno coinvolgente e profondo rispetto ad altri nel genere.
  86. jsommer7345
    Jun 8, 2022
    7
    A student of mine was very much into this game, maybe too into it. I started to play it, and I loved it right away. The universe in this space game is vast, more extensive than I will ever have enough time to explore. So, this platformer is vast. The culture in the game is thick, with lots to read and learn. It was great to relate with my student about this game, we had hours of timeA student of mine was very much into this game, maybe too into it. I started to play it, and I loved it right away. The universe in this space game is vast, more extensive than I will ever have enough time to explore. So, this platformer is vast. The culture in the game is thick, with lots to read and learn. It was great to relate with my student about this game, we had hours of time talking about it - he clearly thought this game was a 10/10. The game is similar to Terraria, but is placed in a futuristic background. It is so similar to Terraria, Starbound seems inspired from it. I loved the storyline of Starbound. I played the game for almost 100 hours.

    The graphics in Starbound look like they come from Minecraft, so it attracts a younger generation of gamers. I certainly would not have played this game if not for my student. However, to be honest, it grew on me after I started to play it. Starbound is geared to a young audience. Playing this game was almost embarrassing to admit to other adults that I played it, as it is purposely childish in its gameplay and in-game culture. In some sense, exploring planets got somewhat old, and late in the game, it has a loop in the gameplay experience. Explore, plunder, do a mission, repeat. While it is a vast universe to explore in Starbound, the mechanics are just too dull after a while.    … Expand
  87. stupidopinion
    Jun 22, 2022
    7
    This game deserved the Terraria treatment. If it had gotten several more significant updates and touch ups this game truly would be something special among 2D sandbox games. As it stands it's still quite fun, with a decent enough story and some fun missions. There are features to the game that are underdeveloped, but as it stands I would still definitely recommend it. The modding scene isThis game deserved the Terraria treatment. If it had gotten several more significant updates and touch ups this game truly would be something special among 2D sandbox games. As it stands it's still quite fun, with a decent enough story and some fun missions. There are features to the game that are underdeveloped, but as it stands I would still definitely recommend it. The modding scene is surprisingly strong, but as the game stands by itself, it's solid but not much more.

    Also the race designs are just great, with surprisingly deep culture that I wish would be heavily explored in a future game. Cowboy starchildren, samurai fish, primal plant people, and more are all just such cool ideas and I love it.    … Expand
  88. xDaudex
    May 25, 2015
    6
    Pros:
    Like Terraria but with many different worlds
    Many different weapons
    Diverse world biomes

    Cons:
    Worlds not as complex as Terraria
    Confusing objectives
    Way too many items in the game
  89. Orderan
    Oct 3, 2014
    6
    Bought it 9 months ago, thinking "Terraria in unlimited space, this is going to be awesome !". And it was, for a few hours. And then you realize passed a certain level, the progressing system is still the same, linear and boring mining to upgrade.

    And then you realize the game in itself feels like the developers did not know at first how hard and tedious developping fully functionnal    Bought it 9 months ago, thinking "Terraria in unlimited space, this is going to be awesome !". And it was, for a few hours. And then you realize passed a certain level, the progressing system is still the same, linear and boring mining to upgrade.

    And then you realize the game in itself feels like the developers did not know at first how hard and tedious developping fully functionnal game is. Between the game complete lack of balance and the "missing description" for hundreds of items, it does feel like it was halfway done then someone said "let's release it early access".

    And while the release of seasonnal content for valentine's day was appreciated, it really shows the issues in this game development. It is not centered on content quantity, not quality. And if you consider this game is basically still on alpha stage with no change brought in a year, you wonder where this is going.    … Expand
  90. eponymous
    Jun 29, 2014
    6
    Strong foundation with a lot of potential. A number of times in co-op MP my friends and I would comment that Starbound has some great foundation mechanics for an awesome game. Either large scale content releases need be released or strong community modding is required to complete what still feels like a slightly hollow game. There is a skeleton of progression but not much in the way ofStrong foundation with a lot of potential. A number of times in co-op MP my friends and I would comment that Starbound has some great foundation mechanics for an awesome game. Either large scale content releases need be released or strong community modding is required to complete what still feels like a slightly hollow game. There is a skeleton of progression but not much in the way of end-game. It represents reasonible value but in current form wont be a minecraft or terraria quality time-vampire.… Expand
  91. powerscot
    May 12, 2014
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Starbound: Chucklefishes sci-fi tribute to Terraria. Having played 92 Hours of Starbound to date over the course of the games development - I aim to give each update a decent shot. I can honestly say that this game provides an enjoyable starting experience with an adequate set of character customization options and six playable races. There is much promise upon beaming down to your first planet. You truly feel starbound. The Strange planet beckons to be explored and the unique mobs are extremely diverse with a mix of docile and hostile creatures. There is a real variety of NPCs and structures which serve as a means to explore and potential to gain great loot. But as the game progresses and you've explored your first few planets, perhaps even killed the boss in order to move to the next sector of space, that you are experiencing a bit of deja vu. Don't get me wrong there is a respectable amount of content in game already. But not all of that content does necessarily contribute to an enjoyable game play experience. Great a fluffy unicorn plushy! - but can't I get some more weapon variety beyond a melee weapon or a gun? I've dug down into a planets core! - oh great more stock monsters...
    Don't be mistaken this game is still in development in its beta stage. It boasts a good amount of content but it's still undercooked. So unless you want to risk a belly ache, or just feel like you want to support Starbound's development, save your money at the moment. The experience is still a little thin to be called a game. I mean the last 5 of 10 tiers of gear can pretty much be skipped at the moment. Starbound lives up to its name and will take flight eventually. Give it some time and I think this will flesh out to be an enjoyable multiplayer experience. Maybe not quite minecraft or terraria but still an admirable addition to the genre of Indie Sandbox games.    … Expand
  92. Okami
    Oct 7, 2014
    6
    Starbound...well.

    I bought this Game 2013 in Early Access, was hyped by the "Future Feature List". Eventually I played around 100hrs, with Friends on a Server, and a bit Singleplayer. After all that, and around one Year later I can summarize it as follow: Graphics are nice, sound and music are nice. The Basic Ideas and concepts sound good in theory. But: -For a Year now    Starbound...well.

    I bought this Game 2013 in Early Access, was hyped by the "Future Feature List".

    Eventually I played around 100hrs, with Friends on a Server, and a bit Singleplayer.

    After all that, and around one Year later I can summarize it as follow:

    Graphics are nice, sound and music are nice.
    The Basic Ideas and concepts sound good in theory.

    But:
    -For a Year now there are no new Updates. (besides silly valentines day items)
    -Performance is just incredible bad. Lag on High End Machines, unplayable on standard PCs.
    -Game Progression makes absolut no sense and is dull like hell.
    -Most of the random generated Items are totally worthless
    -Lots of Bugs and so many missing features...
    -NPCs are just senseless placeholders, most items are too.
    -Childish and whiteknighting community who defend all negative aspects to the death.
    -grindfest for getting to the next level, to start all over again to get to the next level, repeat...

    So in fact you spend alot of time mining material to build a nice house, city etc. from. But then you have nothing to do, no reason to explore the Universe etc.

    The Developers startet to make some other games meanwhile...honestly I think this game will never be finished.

    My advice would be to stay away till there is a really major update with some real progression and missions that make sense.

    It is some Fun in Multiplayer if you know the people you are play with, and have a powerful rig to handel the game.    … Expand
  93. PrincessRose
    Jul 14, 2023
    6
    It's fun for a while to dig and explore but also lacking. It ends up feeling kind of pointless, repetitive and tedious.
    I liked the dungeons and fighting the bosses the most.
    The game is interesting but doesn't feel like it's been fully finished, the devs just abandoned and gave up on it and aren't updating it anymore. The NPC's you hire for your ship crew are extremely annoying, they    It's fun for a while to dig and explore but also lacking. It ends up feeling kind of pointless, repetitive and tedious.
    I liked the dungeons and fighting the bosses the most.
    The game is interesting but doesn't feel like it's been fully finished, the devs just abandoned and gave up on it and aren't updating it anymore.

    The NPC's you hire for your ship crew are extremely annoying, they just stand there and look stupid and lifeless the AI isn't made to look alive and functioning and get in the way even if you put plenty of tables, chairs and beds around or the absolute worse stand right next to a door and whenever you try to open it to go through they continually close it so you have to remove the door to be able to go through.

    I hate how the crew just stand there in the way.
    They do sometimes sleep in the beds, sit down or warm themselves at the forge which is annoying as they get in the way when trying to smelt ore.

    I just spent a lot of the game time exploring and creating. Besides that there isn't really much else. NPC quests aren't interesting and feature the same few of give this note and then give the reply or get some iron make some iron bars and give to or plant these seeds, fight some enemy or the worst go find this NPC at the temple and escort them back. The game feels quite lacking unless all you want to do is build and use mods.

    After completing all the main missions I had no interest anymore in playing.
    There are other things to do but it feels pointless.
    Sure you can capture and collect creatures to fight for you but they are all useless and extremely weak in battle, they die after a couple of hits.
    Everything else is also tedious and boring and trying to find and collect various things which can take forever and is not at all fun.
    Exploring gets boring as once you've seen all the biomes, it all starts to look the same.
    Sure I could build colonies but colonies also seem pointless.
    I had some fun with the game for a while so still recommend it and rate an unmodded game 6/10.    … Expand
  94. godzillarandom
    Oct 3, 2014
    6
    Note: I will update this after the full game is out

    I kinda like this game,It has a potential to be good! HOWEVER,How it's being executed is questionable So here is the basic pros/cons review! Pros: Endless travel places Endless ore Good crafting fun multi-player Fun bosses Cons: Mean developers No mod support KHAN NO UPDATES. Note: Like I said,I    Note: I will update this after the full game is out

    I kinda like this game,It has a potential to be good!

    HOWEVER,How it's being executed is questionable

    So here is the basic pros/cons review!

    Pros:
    Endless travel places

    Endless ore

    Good crafting

    fun multi-player

    Fun bosses

    Cons:

    Mean developers

    No mod support

    KHAN

    NO UPDATES.

    Note: Like I said,I kinda like this game at its beta state,It's okay,NOT WORTH BUYING,Just wait til' it updates a little and then buy it,It has the potential to be the best,Yes,Better than terraria,minecraft and "PP".

    But its in beta state and this is my "Beta" score ,6/10    … Expand
  95. arruu
    Aug 3, 2016
    6
    This game would've got a much higher User Score if it had been released before Terraria.
    The game has a lot of items, missions, lore, great ideas, etc .... But still, I find the end product very dull, and its gameplay extremely repetitive and boring.
    -Despite all the loot, digging isnt remotely as rewarding or thrilling as in Terraria. -Despite all the planets they are not distinct    This game would've got a much higher User Score if it had been released before Terraria.
    The game has a lot of items, missions, lore, great ideas, etc .... But still, I find the end product very dull, and its gameplay extremely repetitive and boring.
    -Despite all the loot, digging isnt remotely as rewarding or thrilling as in Terraria.
    -Despite all the planets they are not distinct enough to encourage visiting them.
    -Despite the variety in the enemies, the AI and the design arent great, and most of them feel kind of the same.
    -Despite they had plenty of time to develop it, this game has ended the same way it started :
    Lots of promises and potential but none became true.    … Expand
  96. YungDizuck
    Feb 6, 2015
    6
    First off, I'm going to preface this review by letting prospective buyers know that it's still in beta, and yes, there have been character wipes and there's still bugs. If this, or early access, are potential bugaboos for you, I'd recommend waiting until the full 1.0 release. That said, let's get to the review.

    First off, we'll talk aesthetics. Chucklefish has opted for a 2D style pixel    First off, I'm going to preface this review by letting prospective buyers know that it's still in beta, and yes, there have been character wipes and there's still bugs. If this, or early access, are potential bugaboos for you, I'd recommend waiting until the full 1.0 release. That said, let's get to the review.

    First off, we'll talk aesthetics. Chucklefish has opted for a 2D style pixel graphics art style, with fairly fluid animations, cursor facing, scrolling skyboxes and backgrounds. There's multiple races to choose from, each with their own unique characteristics, styles and backstories. (Some of which have barely been touched on, but you'll get a rough estimate from some opening flavor texts, and by collecting unique logs through out the game.) It's bright, it's colorful, it's fluid.

    Mechanically, it's very similar to Terraria and Minecraft, only on a much larger scale, as crafting, building, smithing, tech and many other collectables, furnishings, weapons and tools can be crafted from various ores, or combinations of resources. (Oil + iron = steel, and so forth.) You are given a ship that you must collect items to repair, and a set of missions to get you acclimated to what the game will require you to succeed at in order to progress. The downside, is that while the game is more fully fleshed out than during the prior versions, a lot of it is still barren and buggy, which is a shame, because there's definitely a ton of potential. Combat is done in one of two ways, melee, or ranged. Melee offers a variety of weapons, daggers, swords, axes and spears, some of which can be found in chests throughout the planets you visit and mine. Ranged is guns, beam weapons, bowguns, and hunting bows, some of which can be upgraded. Lastly, tools. Tools are important, but the newest update has dropped the durability of practically all of them, which forces you to carry spares that don't stack, which has dropped their importance to upgrading your matter manipulator. Mining plays a HUGE role in this game, and is probably one of its biggest time sinks, as a mechanic. That said, the upside is that the rate of occurence of unique tombs, bases, new underground biomes and other encounters has increased since the last update. Obviously, this entire mechanic is still quite tedious, especially considering how tools have been nerfed.

    Now I'll touch on music and sound, which, in my opinion, is meant to be charming, and instruments have actually been in the game for quite some time, which allows your character to play bits of music in the game. It adds flavor, if nothing else.

    Now I'll summarize. The bits and pieces of a great game are here. The rate of which the dev team is tying those pieces together, has been slow and tedious. There has been a massive addition of content added during the big update, but unfortunately, so have a lot of new bugs, some of which stonewall progress. If they were just annoying visual glitches, I'd dismiss them, but some of them are runtime crashes during missions. That's a major no-no, and something their QA should have caught before the update. I'm giving this a solid 6 of 10 as of right now. My recommendation is to wait until it's closer to being finished and bug free.

    (Full disclosure: I have 17 hours in game during the past week, 200+ on various builds total.)    … Expand
  97. oneplayer
    Sep 7, 2017
    6
    A huge fan of Terraria and bought this game to play with friends thinking it would be a space version of Terraria. Despite buying a server for 3 months, we stopped played after just a few days. The boss fights are lacking, the the planets have a lot of variety but still feels empty. Planet exploration is quick but the world feels small due to the randomly generation missions. The missionsA huge fan of Terraria and bought this game to play with friends thinking it would be a space version of Terraria. Despite buying a server for 3 months, we stopped played after just a few days. The boss fights are lacking, the the planets have a lot of variety but still feels empty. Planet exploration is quick but the world feels small due to the randomly generation missions. The missions are always fetch this and that. Not that bad if you never play Terraria. But if you have, this game is actual less fun.… Expand
  98. mimida21
    Jan 18, 2019
    6
    i thought this was *terraria 2.0*, but with story nonsense and no official novakid npc character in the story, i don't think it's tried to ripoff terraria, but should've been a good sandbox game, not storytelling nonsense and then move on (i'm not a space jesus, lemme become a space pirate, DAMNIT)

    *the game is good tho*
  99. Alchemango
    Jan 16, 2019
    6
    Starbound wasted it's potential by shoving an un-fun storyline down the player's throats. The music and art are great, but the exploration is a bit underwhelming, since most planets are small, repetitive and a portion of them is taken by villages or other structures.
  100. S3XU4LH34L1NG
    Nov 15, 2022
    6
    The game is fun and very very deep in terms of crafting, companions upgrading, ... the typical builder / minecraft stuff. But imo it demands too much time, everything is just a tad too annoying. It kinda reminds me of lost ark.
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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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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. 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.
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  2. 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]
  3. 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.
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