Starbound Review (Subject to Change)

I came here to post this review (er, preview) where the developers would (hopefully) see it eventually. I will edit this review when the game changes and I've had enough time to understand the new changes.

Please note, this review serves two purposes: 1. To help people decide whether they should get the game, or wait for further reviews once the game is more complete. 2. To assist in improving the game by pointing out some of its problems. In future versions of the review, I will fix it to account for any changes in-game.

Now, the review.

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In its current state, Starbound isn't really worth fifteen dollars for someone who doesn't just want to assist in testing. There's what you would expect. It's unfinished in many areas. For example, there are missing names and such.
Multiplayer is good. You can turn on PvP to fight with friends, although the game doesn't explain how to turn on PvP. Building things with friends is fun, although everything you've done on planets in singleplayer mode doesn't carry over (the planets themselves do, though).

Exploration is fun, but most planets only have a few randomized things that have the potential to happen. Dungeons provide very few resources, and you won't want to explore more than one of each type you find. After going left or right for 5 minutes, you will have seen everything you would want to see on most planets.

Exploring underground is not interesting, and feels more like grinding than real gameplay. Monsters spawn less in narrow areas, which you'll be in a lot while underground, so this makes spelunking less interesting. Hopefully, improved combat will also improve spelunking.

The music and artstyle are both gorgeous. The music seems out of place in some areas, however, and battle music plays even when you only attack an enemy for a moment or simply run away from it. Also, the music has a tendency to play for a really long time, or go for a long while without playing. The randomized artstyle makes every planet look great, and you never know what to expect.

Building is one of the game's best aspects. The matter manipulator allows for quick building, and there are a lot of nice resources to work with.

While I can't recommend the game in its current state to most people, it will probably improve over time. I mean, it IS a beta. Most of the flaws I've just listed will probably be fixed. If you're REALLY devoted, and you want to help the developers, then go ahead. Buy the game, report bugs, suggest balance and item changes, etc. Otherwise, I would wait until the game is in a truly playable state to buy it.
7/10: Okay, but with flaws that aren't ignorable. Better for testing than playing.

 

Can it really be called a review if the game isn't finished? Wouldn't that be a preview?

 

Yes, it's a preview. I'll change my post to reflect that.