Review Star Overdrive

@brunosbom
8 hours ago
2 min read

Glide through the desert in style.

Games-Review-Análises-Conquistas-Achievements

GAMEPLAY / VISUAL

In Star Overdrive, everything begins when we intercept a distress signal. The protagonist, Bios, ends up stranded on Cebete, an arid and desolate planet. The game follows a visually attractive formula but lacks strength in key gameplay aspects. Still, the stylized aesthetic and the movement with the futuristic hoverboard are elements that stand out with ease.

Alongside his sword and a stylish board, Bios performs tricks across vast desert plains. The hoverboard instantly brings to mind Back to the Future, and it is a great fit for fans of that setting. The game especially shines outside of the Nintendo Switch, where it was originally released, gaining new life with much smoother graphics on PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC.

While the visual identity of the developer is preserved, the interface feels straight out of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 era. The menus look outdated and visually underwhelming, though functional. Even if intuitive, it lacks the polish to match the game’s overall aesthetic ambition.

Throughout the journey, upgrades can be made at your workbench, allowing customization of engines, board visuals, and other elements that support progression. This adds another layer to the experience, even if somewhat limited.

The landscapes in Star Overdrive are undeniably stunning from afar, with large cel-shaded environments that stand out through scale and art direction. However, getting closer reveals a lack of detail. The textures feel empty, and even the art style cannot hide the simplicity of many elements. The game gives off an outdated vibe, and not in a nostalgic way. The comparison with ReCore is inevitable, and at times, it seems to follow the same vibe without reaching the same impact.

ACHIEVEMENTS

This is where the game falls into a common trap. Star Overdrive relies on achievements that are often frowned upon by achievement hunters, such as collecting hundreds of items across the vast map. On the other hand, it also includes achievements tied to story progression and development, which is a positive point in the game’s favor.

TRAILER OFFICIAL

RESUME

Despite its stylized presentation, the gameplay is stiff and overly simplified. Attacks lack precision and make it difficult to adjust direction mid-action. The movement and combat systems fail to offer the fluidity needed to support the fast-paced action, making the fights one of the weakest aspects of the experience. The game itself is not entirely bad, but given the rise of indie narratives and the growing number of outstanding games in similar genres, Star Overdrive struggles to stand out through its gameplay. It is a visually beautiful game, and that may impress in the short term, but ultimately, it doesn’t go far beyond being average.