Review – Star Overdrive – Gamerview

Imagine how if developers decided to unite and Tony Hawk to create a game capable of uniting the freedom of the open worlds with the adrenaline of maneuvers in hoverboard. This is the proposal of, developed by Caracal Games and published by Dear Villagers to Nintendo Switch, in an independent game that can draw attention right away for his bold proposal.

Downing deep into the experience, packed with a retro aesthetics and an attitude -filled soundtrack, the indie title can deliver moments of pure fun, but also stumbles at fundamental points of gameplay in the out -of -the -hole movement and the unlipped combat. However, developers have managed to work with good ideas and a different atmosphere.

Surfing on the wave of creativity

The highlight of Star Overdrive is undoubtedly the handling system with the hoverboard. The sense of speed and fluidity when surfing by planet Cebete is addictive, with responsive controls and a learning curve that rewards the dominion of maneuvers and tricks, referring to the classic skateboard experience. The game offers a robust customization system: it is possible to collect materials around the world and, in work benches, create and improve pieces such as engines, wings and thrusters, adapting the vehicle to different challenges and areas of the map.

Even with all this fun, unfortunately camera control is automated by the game, preventing the player from freely adjusting the viewing angle during speed navigation. This results in frequent collisions and a sensation of uncontrolled, especially in more complex environments. There is also a contrast between the velocity of the hoverboard and the protagonist’s slow walking, making any segment out of the monotonous and poorly fluid board.

If the movement is exciting, even with the limitation of the camera or when moving on foot, it cannot be said of combat. The system is simplistic and poorly polished, with a keytar that serves as both weapon and tool to solve puzzles, but offers a limited repertoire of attacks. The absence of an efficient target system, or lock-on, makes battles confused, especially when there are several enemies on the screen. Many players end up avoiding confrontations, as lack of impact and variety makes these sections repetitive and sometimes frustrating. The fights against bosses, which could be highlights of adventure, suffer from poorly refined animations and even annoying bugs, making them less challenging than they should be.

All very close to your equipment, the progression mechanics greatly resemble the Metroidvania style, with unlockable skills that expand the possibilities of exploration and combat, such as the use of a keytar to attack enemies and manipulate the environment, as well as special skills such as creating platforms or launching missiles. Puzzles, present mainly in mines (as well as shrines in Zelda), are creative and require the intelligent use of the powers acquired, being one of the highlights of Star Overdrive’s design. Linking all this to the customization of hoverboarding requires the player to collect materials to unlock essential skills such as surfing on different surfaces. However, as the game you need to stop exploration to seek more resources to evolve your character, which can break the rhythm and make the experience less enjoyable.

Speed ​​Odyssey

Let’s talk about history? The narrative accompanies Bios, which landed in Cebete in search of his missing girlfriend after following a sign of help. The plot is revealed in a fragmented way, mainly through cassette tapes around the world, encouraging exploration for those who want to delve into the planet’s lore and the characters. Following a minimalist line, the plot works more as a background for gameplay than as a true engine of adventure.

Visually, the game bets on a Cel-Shaded style that refers to Nintendo classics, but with a dirtier and retro footprint. The world of on man is diverse, with vibrant and darker areas, but suffers from pop-in problems, scenario repetition and a certain lack of detail, especially in internal environments. Still, there are times when the look stands out, especially during high -speed crossings, when the feeling of freedom grows during gameplay.

The soundtrack is undoubtedly one of the high points of Star Overdrive. With striking 1980s rock influences, energy songs perfectly pack the exploration sessions, reinforcing the game’s rebellious and stylish atmosphere. Keytar use as an instrument and weapon is a creative touch that helps to consolidate the sound identity of the title.

In the end, Star Overdrive is a game that shines when betting on speed, creativity and freedom of exploitation, but stumbles into basic gameplay, such as combat, rhythm and technical polishing. For those looking for a different and personality experience, it is worth giving the indie game a chance, but you need to be prepared to deal with some frustrations along the way.