There are certain games that come with a vibe; something that draws you in from the second you see them. STARBITES is one of those.
A dusty desert planet. Rusted machinery sticking out of the sand. Giant robots roaming the wastelands. A salvager trying to leave it all behind. It immediately feels like the sort of RPG people are going to stumble across and end up quietly loving.
Now available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam, STARBITES comes from IKINAGAMES and NIS America, blending turn-based battles with sci-fi storytelling and a world that looks packed with secrets.
At A Glance
- Game: STARBITES
- Developer: IKINAGAMES
- Publisher: NIS America
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC (Steam)
- Price: £41.74
- Genre: Turn-Based RPG
Welcome To Bitter
The game takes place on Bitter, a desert planet left buried beneath the wreckage of an interstellar war.
Forty-five years earlier, every spaceship involved in the conflict suddenly crashed onto the planet for reasons nobody fully understands. Since then, the people left behind have been surviving amongst the scrap, trying to make lives for themselves in the shadow of whatever happened.
You play as Lukida, a young salvager desperate to escape Bitter and finally reach the stars. That plan changes pretty quickly after a giant robot attack drags her into a much larger mystery.
Turn-Based Battles And Motorbot Exploration
STARBITES sticks with classic turn-based combat, focusing on enemy weaknesses, chaining attacks together and building momentum during fights. The battles look fast without becoming overcomplicated, which will probably be welcome news for players who still enjoy more traditional RPG systems.
Outside of combat, you’ll explore Bitter aboard Motorbots – personal machines tied to each member of the party. Some are built for speed, others look more suited to heavy combat, but they all help give the game its own identity.
There’s a nice sense of style to the whole thing too. The world feels rough around the edges in a believable way, like people have spent decades rebuilding from the remains of a war they barely understand.
One RPG Fans Should Keep An Eye On
There’s plenty of competition for attention right now, but STARBITES already feels like it could find a loyal audience.
The setting stands out, the art direction has personality and the combination of giant robots, desert exploration and turn-based combat is always going to appeal to a certain type of player.
If you’re after a sci-fi RPG with a bit of charm and a world worth digging into, this may well be one to check out. You’ll find STARBITES on the usual digital stores, like the Xbox Store, for instance.
