Starfield is among the greatest video games of 2023, each figuratively and actually. It’s Bethesda’s first new IP in 25 years and a monumental landmark for Microsoft — an organization that’s struggled to ship constant first-party hits this console era. On high of that, Starfield’s scope is completely huge. It’s a grand space-faring journey full of a number of planets, storylines, house battles, and gunfights.
Typically, Starfield feels overwhelming with all of its totally different mechanics and options. Even Bethesda’s Pete Hines mentioned that the sport doesn’t actually begin till you’re achieved with the primary story. However who has that type of time? Should you’re searching for a sci-fi recreation that’s much less demanding, or simply wish to take a break from Starfield whereas persevering with to soak in house vibes, it’s essential to strive Opus: Echo of Starsong.
Love among the many stars
First launched in 2021, Opus: Echo of Starsong is a singular mixture of a visible novel, puzzle journey, and 2D side-scroller developed by Sigono. It takes place in a galaxy referred to as Thousand Peaks and follows three characters: Jun, Eda, and Remi. Jun, now an outdated man, visits an unnamed asteroid and acts because the narrator as he recounts an journey that he went on many years earlier.
Actually, Echo of Starsong’s sci-fi narrative is a bit richer than the primary quest of Starfield. Bethesda’s story largely entails working round house whereas amassing Artifacts, whereas saving extra intriguing narratives for sidequests. Echo of Starsong, by comparability, is rather more simple with its established characters.
Jun, exiled from his clan within the East Ocean planetary system, goes to Thousand Peaks with a purpose to redeem himself by mining and amassing a useful useful resource referred to as Lumen, which might be present in asteroids. He meets Eda, a lady with powers to trace asteroids, alongside along with her bodyguard, Remi, who acts because the voice of purpose within the group.
What makes Echo of Starsong’s narrative so sturdy is that over time, you possibly can see the bonds type between the three, particularly the romantic relationship between Jun and Eda. I used to be absolutely invested in them by the point the sport’s tear-jerking finale got here round.
Oregon house
A lot of Echo of Starsong’s gameplay mechanics may sound uninteresting on their very own, however they’re cohesive within the context of the whole bundle. The trio journey via Thousand Peaks in a type of visible novel-type presentation that’s paying homage to Oregon Path. You possibly can even journey round to totally different planets and get entangled with house shenanigans — identical to Starfield!
As a substitute of selecting totally different Traits or customizing your personal character, the group should get fortunate with a purpose to escape sticky conditions by rolling a die. If I didn’t roll a particular quantity or larger, I’d be in bother. For instance, I visited a location the place native outlaws requested Jun for assist, and the scenario offered me with two speech decisions. Considered one of them compelled me right into a cube roll, whereas the opposite required me to have a sure useful resource readily available. A profitable cube roll meant I used to be rewarded with sellable objects, whereas failing meant I walked away with nothing.
Leaving all of it as much as probability can lead to irritating outcomes, however a spacefaring journey ought to be unpredictable, particularly since Echo of Starsong solely provides one save file and autosaves continuously so you possibly can’t simply save scum your means in case you get a nasty roll. Evaluate that to Starfield the place I’d save proper in entrance of an NPC and reload the file if I didn’t get my desired final result.
It’s these probability mechanics that make Echo of Starsong really feel like a cousin of Starfield at instances. Rolling a die to persuade a hostile social gathering to face down within the former is like having a excessive sufficient persuasion degree within the latter in related conditions. Even navigation in each video games really feel related. In Echo of Starsong, you’ll click on on numerous locations on a map menu, determining how a lot gas it’s essential to get to the subsequent place. Likewise in Starfield, you’re continuously opening up the Starmap and quick touring all through the totally different galaxies whereas fulfilling the sport’s many sidequests. Each video games even allow you to customise your ship!
Echo of Starsong is a a lot, a lot totally different recreation than Starfield, however it may simply be an ideal companion piece to Bethesda’s newest. It feels surprisingly all the way down to earth with its heartfelt story and cute anime-inspired visuals. The sport was launched in 2021, however identical to Jun and Eda, time doesn’t matter. The journey alone is value it.
Opus: Echo of Starsong is accessible on PC, Nintendo Change, and Xbox. It’s additionally included in Xbox Recreation Move.
Editors’ Suggestions