- Shoot automatically and move to avoid incoming attacks
- Unlock random benefits every time you launch
- Now in early access on Android
It’s all about surviving the stars and space with auto-shooting in this week’s Before the Game series, where we talk about a modern mobile venture that’s still playable in one form or another despite its unofficial launch.
If there’s a genre that has stood the test of time, why fix it if it ain’t broke (as they say), right? The roguelike shooter is nothing modern, but Star Blaster gives it a lovely space-age coat of paint to give it a fresh feel.
You will play as a lone space warrior trying to survive in a hostile space environment where, for some reason, you are being attacked by all kinds of futuristic alien robots. Luckily, you’ve got a full arsenal of weapons and power-ups to unlock – that is, if they manage to show up during the random launch.
True to the roguelike experience, each round will be different because you never quite know what power-up you’ll receive. You can unlock modern weapons, fight alongside a drone, or simply get a welcome HP boost on the go – all to aid you continue fighting enemies and enormous bosses in a confined field.
Interestingly, your enemies will signal you when and where they will attack, so if you’re rapid enough, you’ll be able to get through each level unscathed.
The problem is that I may have overestimated the effectiveness of my reflexes, because despite this useful warning, I will end up getting kicked out anyway. This will teach me to become overconfident – but at least I can start from scratch and try everything again, because that’s what roguelikes do (and I’m all for it).
So how do you play Star Blaster?
This colorful modern space adventure is currently in Early Access on Android, but it’s completely free to try, so if you’re curious, feel free to give it a try. There’s no word on an official release yet, but from what I’ve seen, I’d say it’s already polished enough!
