For many Xbox players, Astroneer became one of those games that quietly consumed dozens of hours. What started as a relaxing journey of exploration, mining and survival eventually grew into one of the platform’s most beloved space sandboxes. Now, the universe created by System Era Softworks is expanding in a very different direction as STARSEEKER: Astroneer Expeditions launches on Xbox Series X|S and PC, along with PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2.
But before you rush to board the ESS Starseeker, it’s important to note one thing – this isn’t a full release. Instead, STARSEEKER arrives through Xbox Game Preview, meaning players are getting an unfinished version of the game that will continue to evolve throughout development.
Even so, with a day one launch into Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, there’s plenty of curiosity surrounding this next step for the Astroneer universe.
At A Glance
- Game: STARSEEKER: Astroneer Expeditions
- Developer: System Era Softworks
- Publisher: Devolver Digital
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, Play Anywhere, PS5, Switch 2
- Game Pass: Day One on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass
- Price: £24.99
- Genre: Cooperative Exploration Adventure
- Release Status: Xbox Game Preview
Returning To The Astroneer Universe
It’s been several years since Astroneer first captured players with its colourful take on space exploration.
Back in our 2019 review of Astroneer, we described it as “a dream for those who love a sandbox to play around in“, praising its relaxing sense of discovery and rewarding exploration. While STARSEEKER shares that same universe, it isn’t simply offering more of the same.
This time, the focus shifts away from solo sandbox survival and towards structured cooperative expeditions. Players become part of the crew aboard the ESS Starseeker, a massive orbital station tasked with exploring dangerous and mysterious worlds scattered across deep space.
The mission remains familiar enough: explore, gather resources and uncover secrets. The way you’ll do it, however, is very different.
Expeditions Into The Unknown
The core gameplay loop revolves around organised Expeditions.
Working alongside other players, crews deploy from the ESS Starseeker to explore alien planets, gather resources and complete mission objectives before returning to base. These aren’t endless sandbox sessions either. Expeditions are designed around specific goals, encouraging squads to work efficiently and adapt to whatever surprises the planets throw at them.
The first destination is Tephra, a world of dense jungles, wetlands, oceans and the wreckage of a failed EXO Dynamics expedition. As players progress, new landing sites, regions and biomes become available, opening up deeper layers of exploration for the entire community.
A Cooperative Focus
Beyond exploration, STARSEEKER introduces more danger than many players might expect.
Alien creatures, hazardous environments and mysterious forces all stand between your squad and mission success. Completing objectives often requires teamwork, resource management and the ability to adapt when plans inevitably go wrong.
Successful expeditions unlock new equipment, blueprints and upgrades, allowing players to customise their loadouts and prepare for increasingly difficult challenges.
The further humanity pushes into the unknown, the more prepared they’ll need to be.
The ESS Starseeker Is The Real Hub
While the planets provide the adventure, the space station itself acts as the beating heart of the experience.
The ESS Starseeker serves as a social hub where players can meet NPC crew members, accept missions, upgrade gear and uncover an evolving story that develops alongside the game’s progression. New discoveries made during expeditions feed back into the station, creating a sense that the entire crew is working towards a shared objective.
Remember – This Is Still A Work In Progress
STARSEEKER: Astroneer Expeditions is launching as a Game Preview title, meaning System Era Softworks considers this the beginning of the journey rather than the finished destination. Features, balancing, progression systems, content and even major gameplay elements could change significantly before the eventual full release.
That doesn’t mean there’s nothing worth experiencing today. The foundations of STARSEEKER’s cooperative exploration, progression systems and world design are already in place. But anyone expecting a fully polished successor to Astroneer should keep expectations measured while the development team continues to build upon those foundations.
For Game Pass subscribers, however, there’s little reason not to at least take a look and see where the journey is heading.
A New Frontier For Astroneer
Perhaps the biggest question surrounding STARSEEKER is whether it can capture the same magic that helped Astroneer build such a loyal following.
Rather than chasing a direct sequel, System Era Softworks has chosen to experiment with a more cooperative, mission-based structure that feels designed around shared adventures and long-term progression. Whether that proves successful remains to be seen, but there’s no denying that the concept is intriguing.
The ESS Starseeker is ready for launch. The planets beyond remain largely unexplored. And while the game itself may still be finding its feet, the next chapter of the Astroneer universe begins today.
STARSEEKER: Astroneer Expeditions is available now through Xbox Game Preview on Xbox Series X|S, PC, Play Anywhere and Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. The Xbox Store awaits. It’s also on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2.
There is also the Founder’s Edition for £29.99 too, bundling the base game with the Engineering Pack (otherwise £8.39). If you’re interested, the Engineering Pack unlocks the “Miner Miracle” Sticker and includes the Mechanic Suit V1, Mechanic Suit V2, Mechanic Suit V3, “Let’s Be Frank” Hat, “Happy Trails” Visor, “Dirty Work” Palette, “Dirtier Work” Palette, and “Dirtiest Work” Palette.
