Save the Universe | StarVaders Demo Review

Do you want to play a deck builder? Maybe a tile-based game? What if we combined the two and gave you the powers to control a mech? Well, then you get StarVaders! Man your mech as you use your cards to fight off alien invaders.

In this roguelike, you get to select a captain and adventure out into space. Each captain mans a unique mech, some attack with range while others choose a more melee route. The way to attack and move is dictated by the cards you draw. Some allow you to move closer or further from enemies. Others allow you to attack enemies in an array of fashions. There are a handful of other cards from bombs to cards that move enemies, so look at the cards and see what magic you can create.

Of course, you can’t use every card you get, like any card game, you have a limited amount of moves you can perform per turn. Each captain’s mech has its own amount of “heat” the machine can withstand before overheating. Each card will use a specific amount of heat and will be reflected in the meter on the screen. Once that max is surpassed, you have the risk of a card in hand being burned - leaving it unusable. Be aware of how many cards you’ve burned because they can come up again later on in the fight.

Now how does your run come to an end? The tile-based layout has you defending your side of the field. If enemies end a turn on your side of the field, you will accumulate one count of doom. If you work up to five counts of doom, your run will end and you will need to restart. But, each run will allow you to gain more cards to enhance the next one, so never be sad when you see that game over screen.

Unlock more cards with each run and improve your strategies after finding a mech that meshes well with your play style. Unlimited runs await in this sleek, colorful deck-building roguelike. Take on levels filled with new enemy types and see if you can take out the big boss and save the universe.

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