I am not a big fan of the prison-industrial complex. Without getting too political in this silly game review, I think it is safe to say that the concept of incarceration is a hotly debated topic, and one that comes with many interesting ideas on how to solve it, or at least make the problem more manageable and humane. Indentured servitude is one such solution to the prisoner problem that I do not really approve of, but indentured servitude on a far-off, unexplored alien planet with high-tech gadgets at your disposal is a far more exciting take on the concept.
This is the plot of StarRupture, a base-building action game where you and your friends play as a small group of prisoners with a lot of character, sent to the Ruptura system to harvest resources for the corporations that purchased their prison sentences. You mine, smelt, and fight as you literally fire the fruits of your labor into orbit, all while exploring a brand new alien frontier.
I have seen this concept done similarly in other titles, and it is a great way to turn a production or mining game into a more narrative or goal-driven experience. StarRupture, however, is one of the few to use this concept alongside the first-person base-building genre popularized by games like Rust. The main advantage StarRupture has over similar titles, such as Space Engineers, is its focus on FPS-style combat. The base building and factory setting combine seamlessly with an almost Borderlands-style science fiction shooter that has you exploring ruins and killing aliens, all while listening to the honestly pretty well-written dialogue from the game’s characters.
The gameplay loop in StarRupture is delightfully simple. You build a base, mine resources, and craft them into refined goods to fulfill company orders, which in turn unlock even more recipes. This progression system is what I think really drives the game, as each corporation has different demands and its own unique rewards that make fulfilling their requests useful for your overall adventure.
That being said, I do think that StarRupture would benefit from a cash goal endgame, something that at least did not appear to be present when I was playing. Having something like an incredibly large number that you are constantly working toward as you ship out materials would give the game a clearer sense of direction from the very start. I have seen this implemented in other similar titles, and it made me highly motivated to keep coming back to play.
I was surprised by just how competent StarRupture is in its Early Access state. Not only does the game already feature a large map and fully voice-acted characters, but the gameplay itself is in a really solid place. I deeply enjoyed the base building, which feels snappy, clean, and distinctly science fiction in its factory-like design, and I was honestly impressed by the game’s overall presentation. The massive map is decorated with a variety of alien fauna and is heavily affected by the game’s alien weather systems as well. Surviving a massive eruption and then leaving my base to see the entire surrounding area charred and destroyed was a genuinely cool experience.
The combat is solid, though nothing particularly groundbreaking. The gunplay feels fine, with each weapon packing a bit of punch and offering good feedback when hitting the game’s vermin-like enemies. The movement could be better, giving the player slightly more mobility than a realistic shooter, but nothing on par with Apex Legends, Borderlands, or other movement-focused shooters. Again, it is nothing to write home about, but it is solid enough to do the job the game needs it to do, and you will not be offended by it as you clear out locations swarming with enemies. Said enemies being bugs that mostly explode into goo does a lot for the satisfaction factor.
I was also surprised by just how well the game ran on my system. Sure, I play games professionally and therefore have a fairly powerful PC, but for an Unreal Engine title, everything runs incredibly well while still looking fantastic.
The worst part of this Early Access title is, unfortunately, a pretty common trait of games in Early Access. The game currently suffers from a lack of content. It feels as though there is not quite enough to unlock, and the progression trees for each corporation fall a bit short. On top of that, it feels like you can get a solid grasp on the production systems and establish a fully functioning factory within just two to three hours of gameplay, speaking from the perspective of a solo player. With a group of friends, I imagine the game progresses even more quickly, and until more content is added, this does unfortunately dampen the experience somewhat.
StarRupture is an impressive title, even in its Early Access state. While the game clearly needs more content, I am excited to see where it goes as development continues. By the end of its Early Access run, I can easily imagine StarRupture becoming one of the premier base-building games in the genre, standing out for its unique premise, engaging mechanics, and beautiful graphics. I highly recommend checking the game out with friends, but I can also confirm that the solo experience is also really good.
Pros:
- A unique base building and automation premise, combined with first person shooting and exploration
- Fun characters and great voice acting
- A standout progression system that will catch your attention and keep you hooked
- A fun building system focused on automation and resource transportation
Cons:
- A lack of content in Early Access, hopefully to be expanded on as development continues
- Fine, but not incredible FPS mechanics that you will not hate, but probably will not love either
TryHardGuides was provided a Steam code for this PC Early Access Review of StarRupture. Find more detailed looks at popular and upcoming titles on our Game Reviews page!
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