Star Horizon

 Switch
Metascore
52

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 11
  3. Negative: 4 out of 11
  1. Pure Nintendo
    Jun 1, 2020
    70
    Although Star Horizon could really use some more levels to stretch out its short story, if you are generally OK with on-rail space shooters, this game is generally OK. I can’t say it is great, but it is a good game and should keep your trigger finger happy for a few hours.
  2. App Trigger
    May 28, 2020
    60
    Star Horizon is a solid action shooter. It’s great if you’re just looking to fly around and shoot ships but if you’re looking for the promised story, Star Horizon is about as good as a Jill Sandwich.
  3. Video Chums
    May 25, 2020
    60
    Star Horizon is a basic rail shooter that looks fantastic for a Switch indie so it's sure to provide some entertainment for genre fans.
  5. Gamers' Temple
    May 27, 2020
    55
    While I appreciate the effort and skill that went into creating a game that throws back to an era that I miss dearly, Star Horizon simply misses the mark. The core of the game - the aiming and shooting - just isn't up to par. Your ship moving at the pace of a mail truck in a crowded neighborhood doesn't help either. While technically competent and somewhat well-written, Star Horizon just doesn't live up to the games it is meant to celebrate, though if there was a Star Horizon 2 on the, um, horizon, I'd sign up for it. The ingredients of greatness are all here, but a sequel with reworked systems could really, really sing.
  6. NintendoWorldReport
    May 26, 2020
    55
    Star Horizon is a rail shooter that doesn’t seem to have a handle on how rail shooters work. Levels are often large and expansive but without the enemy layout to fill them up. There are plenty of fun weapons at your disposal, but the targeting system makes them all less functional. While it runs well on Switch and certainly has its moments where everything lines up just right, overall it is at best a mediocre rail shooter. Even if you’re desperate for this underrepresented genre, there are already better entries available on the eShop.
  7. New Game Network
    Jun 17, 2020
    53
    While this is a semi-competent port for Switch, ultimately Star Horizon's core gameplay is uninteresting and tired, while its mechanics lack polish.
  8. Switch Player
    Jul 31, 2020
    50
    Some dodgy voice acting and a generally generic aesthetic don’t do a great job of boosting this Star Fox-esque shooter into hyperspace. However, fans of the genre might find some fun in amongst the asteroid field of Star Wars references.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
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No user score yet- Awaiting 1 more rating

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. aleveliz
    Apr 3, 2023
    7
    Very fun on rails space shooter, it has very nice visuals and fun gameplay.
    Recommended, better buy it on sale
  2. Elite_Institute
    Mar 5, 2022
    7
    "Whilst not everyone may be able to look past its flaws, Star Horizon may very well provide that on rails space shooter fix for aficionados of"Whilst not everyone may be able to look past its flaws, Star Horizon may very well provide that on rails space shooter fix for aficionados of the genre – provided that they set it to an easier difficulty. It goes on sale for only a couple of euros, so if you are even remotely interested in the game, it’s probably worth a shot. You may end up discovering an enjoyable space romp for a budget price. Star Horizon may not be the next Star Fox, but it’ll do for now."

    https://theeliteinstitute.net/2021/04/30/star-horizon/    … Full Review »
  3. GamingCouchSpud
    Dec 9, 2021
    7
    Star Horizon is a 3D, on rails, space shoot-em-up. You play as John, a pilot, or more accurately the person shooting stuff. Most of the realStar Horizon is a 3D, on rails, space shoot-em-up. You play as John, a pilot, or more accurately the person shooting stuff. Most of the real control is done by the Artificial Intelligence known as Ellie, who will talk to you as you play. Since my name is real life is John, I must say it all felt very personal!

    There is a war between the Inter Galactic Corporation (The Federation), and the rebels. (This sounds familiar!). You are involved in an accident, whereby you are put into hibernation by the mothership, Ellie, the ships AI, wakes you up years later, and you have no idea where you are or what is going on.

    As you play, you will quickly learn that this is an on rails shooter, meaning that you go where the AI takes you, and with the exception of some quick time events, whereby you need to choose an option of what to do next, all directional activities are controlled for you. Your job is to shoot stuff. You have a few different types of weapons, as well as a cool roll/dodge manoeuvre. The targeting mechanics aren't the best, but you soon get used to how it all works, and you will quickly find out that accuracy isn't that important.

    As you destroy enemies, and complete sections, you will earn points, these points can be used in the hangar, between levels, to upgrade your ship.

    There are just 10 levels, and 3 main bosses to beat. You gain up to 3 stars for completing a level, and you will find that you will need to replay levels over and over to get points to upgrade your ship and weapons, so that you can get strong enough to progress, beat bosses and so on, this does bring some longevity to what would otherwise be a short game.

    The quick time events which affect the storyline, are a good idea, and give the game some replay options, to see what differences there is, if you had chosen differently, examples of choices are to help friends or ignore them, help a space merchant or fight them.

    The Good
    As this is an on rails shooter, it means that the developers have had plenty of time to make the 3D graphics look fantastic, the soundtrack is good, and the AI voice is also quite entertaining.

    The Bad
    Only 10 levels, and many people do not like "On Rails" shooters since they do lack the freedom of a regular 3D shooter.

    Overall
    A cheap game, that does entertain, and despite its limitations, looks good and plays well.

    I score Star Horizon on Nintendo Switch a fair 7/10    … Full Review »