STARBITES

Starbites is a good turn-based RPG that offers a straightforward journey through a futuristic world. Its battle systems are not groundbreaking, but offer malleable build options that make it fun to play with and master. Built upon solid fundamentals, the game thrives in what it sets out to accomplish and offers a good time for fans of the genre.

STARBITES is a new sci-fi turn-based RPG that puts players in the shoes of Lukida, a young salvager wanting to make her dream of exploring the cosmos a reality. Players are treated to a fun turn-based combat system with some unique twists, a compelling story with an emotive cast of characters, and worldbuilding that makes players want to learn more about the setting of Bitter. The performance drawbacks on Switch and the repetitive overworld exploration hold STARBITES back from its full potential, however.

Narratively, Starbites is a breath of fresh air for RPG fans. It’s well-paced and engaging from start to finish (albeit with some exploration redundancy), and the turn-based combat is well-implemented. On the Switch, however, the visuals are a polluted mess. If you’re willing to wait for the delayed Switch 2 version, do.

Starbites has a great premise and adds fresh layers to the oversaturated turn-based RPG market. Despite a well-written story and remarkable characters, especially the protagonist, numerous technical issues keep the game from reaching the stardom it otherwise could have. The overall experience remains very fun, though.

Starbites needed more time in the oven. Apart from the numerous technical and graphical shortcomings on the Nintendo Switch version, the writing could use some redrafting and editing to punch up the pacing. The RPG gameplay is on the simplistic side and rarely challenging to the point it becomes boring, but it's serviceable for younger gamers who crave a mecha JRPG fix.

Maybe after a few patches Starbites will be passable, but I think this budget RPG isn’t ready for Switch owners right now. Its story and combat feel pretty basic and don’t reinvent the wheel. The fact that it looks so poor both docked and undocked, doesn’t run well, and straight up crashes out when moving between some areas means I’d recommend waiting for a demo or a sale on another platform rather than grabbing it for the Switch.

It's not uncommon for an RPG to start slow and build to a satisfying climax and conclusion, and while the plot of Starbites does improve and diverge wildly in equal measure, the putrid aesthetic and repetition make for a slog of a time most of the way through. I did find Lukida to be an endearing hero, as she shares a number of close bonds that show how she has inserted herself into the lives of those around her. That said, inexcusable crashes and softlocks plagued my time with Starbites past the first 5 hours of the game, pushing me to the limit in terms of actually wanting to roll credits. When it wasn't the bugs and performance doing it, it was the repetitive, boring dungeons that nearly had me cast aside my controller. Sadly, Starbites neither aims high enough to get anywhere near the stars, nor does it have enough firepower to even breach the atmosphere. If you do somehow feel compelled to play it, leave the Switch version buried in the desert where it belongs.