Starbound

About Starbound

Starbound is a 2D platformer RPG with survival and crafting elements developed by Chucklefish Games. Released on July 22, 2016, it spans PC, Xbox, and Mac. You play a stranded spacefarer repairing a damaged ship while exploring procedurally generated planets. The game lets you build bases, battle alien creatures, and craft gear using gathered resources. Storytelling is flexible: rescue your homeworld or settle planets. It supports co-op multiplayer and features a vast array of weapons, tools, and customization. The universe is infinite, ensuring no two playthroughs are the same. Think of it as a blend of Minecraft’s creativity and the fast-paced action of a roguelike, set in space.

Gameplay

Starbound plays like a sidescrolling adventure with crafting and combat as core loops. You gather materials like ore and wood to craft tools, weapons, and buildings. Each planet has unique environments, deserts, jungles, snowfields, and enemies ranging from slimes to robotic beasts. Combat is real-time, using swords, guns, or bombs, with modifiers like poison or fire damage. Sessions involve exploring for resources, fighting threats, and upgrading gear. Multiplayer co-op lets you build and fight with friends. The crafting system is deep but intuitive, with over 1,000 items to create. Procedural generation keeps exploration fresh, but memorizing planet layouts is key. The game lacks hand-holding, requiring players to learn through trial and error.

What Players Think

Starbound holds a 79.4/100 on IGDB, with 51 achievements (21.7% average unlock rate). The rarest achievement, "Bug Free" (1.00%), requires catching a specific glitch creature. Average playtime is 30-40 hours, though some report over 100. Community moods are mixed: 68% positive, 24% neutral, 8% negative. Fans praise the "endless creativity" and "deep crafting," while critics call it "overly punishing" and "slow to learn." One review: "A masterpiece of sandbox design, but needs better tutorials." Another: "Too much grinding for upgrades." Achievements focus on exploration, combat, and crafting challenges, with the "Galactic Explorer" (visited 100 planets) at 17% unlock rate.

PlayPile's Take

Starbound is a must-play for fans of open-ended exploration and crafting. At $29.99, it offers high replay value through its infinite procedural world and 51 achievements. The rare "Bug Free" is a tough but rewarding challenge. However, the steep learning curve and punishing difficulty might deter casual players. If you enjoy building bases, experimenting with gear, and surviving hostile planets, this is your game. It’s not perfect, tutorials are weak and some mechanics feel outdated, but its creativity and depth make it worth the investment for dedicated players.

Storyline

You’ve fled your home, only to find yourself lost in space with a damaged ship. Your only option is to beam down to the planet below and gather the resources you need to repair your ship and set off to explore the vast, infinite universe…