StarVaders – Review

I’m a picky player when it comes to roguelikes. I’ve seen everything from lazy Slay the Spire clones to generic attempts to mix tactics with soulless randomness. So when I heard about StarVaders , I have to admit I was skeptical. A game that defines itself as a hybrid of roguelike, deckbuilding and grid strategy? It seemed too ambitious to me, and I already had my shield up for possible disappointment.

But no. StarVaders didn’t just surprise me: it won me over in a way that few games of this genre have managed to do. I came here out of curiosity and stayed out of passion. There were hours and hours of intense, challenging matches, full of tactical decisions, colorful explosions and that delicious feeling of “just one more run before bed”.

Of course, StarVaders isn’t perfect — and we’ll get to that later — but it hits the nail on the head where it really counts: the heart of the gameplay, the creativity of the systems, and the charming personality of a universe that seems simple at first glance, but reveals layers and layers as you delve deeper.

Let’s go together on this journey through all the systems, sounds, visuals and feelings that this game managed to awaken.

1. Mechanics and Gameplay

Let’s get straight to the point: StarVaders ‘ gameplay is wonderful . The game is structured in turns, in tactical combats on a grid where we control a Mech piloted by a specific character. Each turn begins with the purchase of cards — movement, attack, support, traps, buffs, debuffs — and three “Heat” points, which is the resource spent to play these cards. Simple? Not so much.

The genius here is in how these cards interact with the elements on the field, with the enemies and with the passive artifacts that we acquire throughout the run. There is a very strong synergy system, and even after playing dozens of games, I never felt like I was repeating the same strategy. Everything changes: the layout of the enemies, the cards that come, the modifiers, the events, the bosses and, of course, the builds that you put together.

There are three main types of Mechs :

• The Shooter , ideal for those who like to keep their distance and blow everything up from afar with bombs and lasers;
• The Stinger , who throws himself into the middle of the field like a ninja, pulling enemies into traps and using quick, positional attacks;
• The Sentinel , which summons temporary allies and casts spells, almost like a tactical summoner.

Each Mech has three different pilots , each with unique abilities, distinct starting decks, and charismatic personalities. Playing with a pilot drastically changes the pace of the game — and the variety it offers is insane. We’re talking about 9 playstyles right out of the box, not to mention the combinations of cards and artifacts.

The enemies also deserve applause: they are creative, with their own movement patterns and internal synergies. There are enemies that protect each other, others that fill your hand with useless cards (the famous “Junks”), and some that cause negative effects if they are not defeated quickly. And the bosses? A spectacle in themselves. Each one has its own “puzzle mechanic”, like a Kraken whose tentacles need to be destroyed before the core, or an enemy that simulates a game of chess with specific rules.

The Chrono Tokens mechanic is also brilliant: with them, you can restart your turn, reroll rewards, or change the shop. This allows you to correct mistakes, test alternatives, and add an extra layer of control to the roguelike chaos — without breaking the difficulty, which is crucial.

2. Graphics

StarVaders ‘ visuals are one of its greatest charms. The art is vibrant, with anime-style lines, saturated colors, and expressive characters. There are no excess particles or the visual clutter that is common in tactical games with many elements on screen. Here, everything is clean and functional , which is very important when it comes to precise tactical decisions.

The Mechs are stylized, with distinct designs. The alien enemies range from robotic to organic to absurd—and all of them are easy to spot amidst the chaos. The card effects are well-animated, with clear visual feedback for attacks, movement, and combos. I especially loved the chain effects: explosions that cross the field, lasers that bounce, traps that pull in enemies… Everything shines without being overwhelming.

The scenarios change between acts and offer enough aesthetic variation to not feel repetitive. And of course, the menus, interface, and text are all organized, with great use of icons and easy-to-read information — even for first-time players.

3. Sound

The soundtrack is more than competent: it is exciting, atmospheric and extremely well-suited to the game’s rhythm. The bosses’ music is intense and creates that good anxiety for the final fight. In the calm moments between fights, the soundtrack takes on a more atmospheric tone, without falling into monotony.

The sound effects are also worth mentioning: each card played has a specific sound, and the impacts of actions on the field — explosions, shots, teleportations, movements — help to keep the pace of the game engaging. One detail that caught me by surprise: even the menus have a satisfying “click”. It may seem silly, but it’s these small sound design choices that make the sensory experience even better.

Oh, and the characters have voice snippets or sound expressions that reinforce their personalities without being intrusive.

4. Fun

The fun in StarVaders is addictive. The game achieves something rare: it is both immediate and deep at the same time . Easy to understand, difficult to master. The games are short enough to fit into a break in the day, but intense enough to keep you engaged for hours on end.

There’s a constant sense of discovery. Each new card combination, each new artifact, each new pilot unlocked seems to open up a new range of possibilities. The progression system is fair: even if you lose, you unlock something. And that encourages you to try again, with a new strategy, a new pilot, a different build.

Extra missions and challenges give your runs a purpose beyond winning. There are modifiers, permanent penalties, alternate bosses, narrative events, hidden paths… StarVaders respects your time, but also constantly challenges you.

5. Performance and Optimization

I played StarVaders on a mid-range PC running Windows 11, and performance was excellent most of the time . The game loads quickly, is lightweight, and runs smoothly, even with multiple enemies and effects on screen at the same time.

However, I did notice the occasional bug : a sudden freeze after a chain explosion, a button that got stuck on the Steam Deck and forced me to restart. Nothing catastrophic—the autosave system works great, so I never lost any significant progress—but these are issues that should be addressed in future updates.

Another point: the translation into Portuguese is functional, but in some parts I felt that the terms could be clearer, especially in explanations of complex statuses and effects. Still, it is a commendable localization effort and helps a lot with accessibility.

Conclusion

StarVaders is one of those surprises that makes the indie game universe worth exploring. It combines everything I love: real-time strategy, deckbuilding, charismatic storytelling, tactical combat, and an intriguing progression system.

More than a Slay the Spire clone or an homage to Into the Breach , this game is its own thing. It owns its inspirations, plays with them, and delivers an experience that’s both familiar and refreshing.

If you like to think about every move, test crazy strategies, win the game with an unlikely build and scream with joy when you narrowly defeat a boss… this game is for you.

I highly recommend StarVaders . It’s creative, fun, packed with content, and above all, it respects your intelligence as a player. It’s one of those games that you don’t want to stop playing — and when you do, you’re left thinking about the next run.

Positive Points:

• Deep and addictive tactical gameplay
• Huge variety of builds, cards, artifacts and strategies
• Charismatic characters with real impact on gameplay
• Vibrant and well-executed visual style
• Striking soundtrack and polished sound effects
• Rewarding Progression System
• Short but dense runs with lots of replayability
• Chrono Tokens mechanic offers strategic flexibility

Negative Points:

• Minor bugs and occasional freezes
• Portuguese translation can be refined
• Some bosses seem to punish certain specific builds too much

Final Rating:
Graphics: 9.0
Fun: 9.5
Gameplay: 9.5
Sound: 9.0
Performance and Optimization: 8.5
Final Score: 9.1 / 10.0