StarVaders is a roguelike deckbuilder with tactical grid-based combat featuring a powerful mech facing off against waves of alien invaders.
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Story & Themes
In the future, an alien invasion has destroyed much of Earth's defenses. Only mech suits piloted by hip young heroes can save the planet! StarVaders is a roguelike deckbuilder where players choose a mech and a pilot, and embark on a series of tactical battles and boss missions. Like Slay the Spire, Cobalt Core, and other roguelike card games, players customize their deck by adding, removing, and upgrading cards, and combining them with powerful artifacts to unleash unique combos and playstyles.
StarVaders uses unique, grid-based combat, adding a layer of tactical movement to the formula. Players need to move and position their mech on the grid using cards, while enemies continue moving down each turn, not unlike classic arcade game Galaga. Enemies come in different varieties, giving theme extra movement, shields, or other features, and the battlefield often features other hazards that obscure enemies or block attacks.
Each mech uses different resource management and strategies, while pilots provide different starting cards and passive abilities. As players progress and complete runs, they unlock more enemies and bosses (as well as mechs and pilots), and additional difficulty levels.
The puzzle-like gameplay is easy to understand and play, thanks to the well-designed tutorial and First Contact difficulty level. The story is minimal, with only snippets and teases appearing after a successful run.
Save Points
Players can quit between levels and resume their progress at any time.
Difficulty
StarVaders includes three difficulty levels. The first difficulty, First Contact, is designed to onboard new players with the easiest bosses and enemies. After successfully completing a run on First Contact, players unlock the next difficulty level, with more challenging bosses and challenges, creating a suitable difficulty curve.
Players must master their deck of cards, and the movement and abilities of their mech to succeed. The first levels are very forgiving, and easy to learn.
Heads Up!
Violence Combat between piloted mechs and bug-like aliens is the sole focus of the game, displayed on top-down grids. Players use gunfire, explosive bombs, throwing weapons, and melee attacks to defeat enemies. The art style is very cartoony, with no blood, and defeated enemies disappear in a puff of smoke.
Conversation Starters
- How do you feel about the mix of card-playing with grid-based movement?
- What's your favorite combination of mech and pilot, and which do you find the most challenging?
- Have you tried other roguelike card games, such as Slay the Spire or Monster Train?
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