by Adam Sprott

Created on: July 30, 2008   Last Updated: February 24, 2011

Ultimately Starscape by Oberon Media is a more interactive, upgraded and longer version of older computer games such as Asteroids.

The concept of the game is neat and makes for an interesting arcade game that does provide a challenge and require some organization and strategy to building up the ship you play in, and the game has enough commands and options to upgrade to make it a customizable and engaging experience. However, the only real creative or innovative aspect of the game is the story the player and the characters travel through, but other than this there is very little difference between this game and Asteroids.

Starscape does have to be divided into two aspects when reviewing and playing it: the in-game portion and the storyline. As I have said, the in-game portion is quite fun and engaging. As you play you have to learn a few things about how to develop your skills, and Starscape's in-game graphics are quite good and detailed and have a very convincing 3D effect that help add interest to the game. However, the storyline is a generic "space experiment gone wrong and now we have to fight off these aliens who attack us for no apparent reason," and is a poor one at that. The graphics are anime and seem to have been quickly put together. The actual "dialogue" some of the characters share with you is almost entirely cliches, and this makes the characters, the story and the game seem a little over-the-top, unrealistic, and weak.

The in-game sound effects involve many generic space game sounds, such as blasters and engines and explosions and do make the game more interesting and add to the arcade feel of the game. The storyline music becomes annoying fairly soon and none of the characters have voices, but I consider this is a good thing as you can speed through the horrible storyline as quickly as possible.

Starscape's in-game aspect is clearly a 3/5 that keeps you interested and does have a good appeal. Unfortunately the storyline and characters incorporated into the game do not even deserve a 1/5 as they are so generic, predictable and stereotypical. All in all if it is possible to ignore the dreadful storyline a bit, I would give this game a 2/5. If the storyline had been better with better graphics, I would have seriously considered buying the game had the storyline been more refined and less generic, but as it is I would look for a more refined game with more innovation than upgrading and adding a new story to Asteroids.

Learn more about this author, Adam Sprott.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.