In the world of Rose of Starcross, you will be challenged from all sorts of directions. You’ll want to have that D-Pad ready for some of these combat-infused mini-games.
Trying to live in a world that was nearly destroyed years ago may be a bit tricky to those who aren’t willing to adapt. Especially when that event caused the raising of the dead, created Anims, and gave birth to Demons. It was a busy cataclysm. You’ll be playing 300 years after this event, when most of these creatures and (what’s left of) the humans have found a way to coexist. Controlling a curious child, you’ll navigate this surreal and lively place. The best part? Its inhabitants. This charming cast will have you chasing down the next round of dialogue to see what’ll happen next. You’ll probably even have a favorite character within just the demo.
Another aspect you may enjoy is a pseudo-3D platforming world. Rather than just a flat land, you’ll have to think a little more outside the box while you explore the added dimension. With gorgeous areas to sift through, you’ll be dashing and jumping from area to area, watching stars fly by as you do. Don’t think you can just rush through without confrontation though. There’s bound to always be some baddies to encounter and triumph over.
Using a combat style that will keep you on your toes, Rose of Starcross seems to focus on making sure combat doesn’t feel too dry. You use minigames to attack, keeping you invested in each strike, and these mini games change based on the enemies you’re against and the location you’re fighting in. There’s even a stat for an enemy’s emotional state, which can alter their strengths and completely change what tactics work best. So, be careful of particularly rabid enemies. If you do well and perform with style, you’ll be scored appropriately at the end of each battle. Your HP, successful dodges, combos – it all counts. A higher score yields better rewards, so it’s best to always give it your all.
Drawing inspiration from Zelda, Mario RPG, MOTHER, modern indies, and even Punch-Out!, Rose of Starcross pulls elements of these classics into its gravitational field and bursts forth with a new and compelling adventure. If you’re a fan of these timeless titles, you may just want to poke your nose into Rose of Starcross and see how it weaves together a brightly-colored cast and setting with a charming narrative.
A demo for Rose of Starcross is available now on itch.io. You can also support the game on Kickstarter.
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