Welcome to EXPlay, (Explain & Play) the review series where we care not for scores, but tell it how it is when it comes to every game we get our hands on, all whilst including some lengthy gameplay, to give you, the reader, the chance to form your own impressions and views while reading and watching.
In this explanatory review, we’re covering Star Overdrive by developer, Caracal Games:
Star Overdrive (Nintendo Switch)
Developed by Caracal Games, Star Overdrive is a sci-fi action-adventure game that we first caught a glimpse of when it was revealed in August 2024 during a Nintendo Direct. Featuring a playable protagonist, armed with a keytar and an advanced hoverboard capable of many feats, Star Overdrive easily stole the show. But, more than half a year later, does the complete game meet the heavy expectations placed upon it? We like to think so.
Having played the demo, which is around 60 to 90 minutes long and provides a deep dive into many of Star Overdrive’s main mechanics, we found it a rather enjoyable experience, which made us even more excited for the full version. (Spoiler alert! Progress in the demo carries over to the full game, so if you haven’t picked up Star Overdrive just yet, we fully recommend giving its demo a try and see if it compels you to pick up the full game.) So, Star Overdrive, let’s dive right into it.
Star Overdrive is the story of BIOS, a protagonist who must explore the planet of Cebete, should he wish to be reunited with NOUS, a researcher and BIOS’ significant love interest. Cebete was once occupied as the entire planet is covered in mining outposts and other structures, but the civilization that built them is nowhere to be seen. Instead, all that remains are the outposts and hostile fauna and lifeforms that are all too happy to attack BIOS and provide conflict at every opportunity.
In terms of story progression, as an open-world title where exploration is prioritized over hand-holding and a linear narrative, Star Overdrive’s story is revealed via collectible taps and photos. Each reveals more of the game’s true events with more objectives through exploration. So, while things can feel a little slow at first, anyone who has played The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, can expect a familiar experience with Star Overdrive.
With some inspiration from Breath of the Wild, Star Overdrive borrows a few gameplay mechanics in the way of tall buildings that, once activated, open up part of the map. Some abilities allow BIOS to interact with the terrain around him, lifting objects and using them as weapons. There’s also the game’s cel-shaded aesthetic, filled with pastel colours, which makes it utterly gorgeous to look at.Â
But where it differs, is instead of a paraglider and clothing with abilities, which help to add in exploration, the hoverboard does all the work, freeing BIOS and the player up to zig, zag, and glide all over Cebete. With an entire planet to explore, puzzles to solve, shrine-like mines to navigate, upgrades to acquire, and customization options to further improve BIOS’ hoverboard, exploration becomes faster, the more time and effort you put into the game.
Speaking of some of the customization options, by finding native designs around the biomes of Cebete, BIOS can come up with new decals for the hoverboard and his own design. These decals are purely cosmetic, as they offer no stat-boosting benefit. But it’s a welcome mechanic nonetheless, as it is a great way of depicting BIOS’ adapting to his surroundings and learning from them.Â
For things that do boost BIOS’s stats, when not performing tricks whilst airborne for speed boosts, BIOS can jump off his hoverboard at any time and collect bio-organic materials. Collect enough of them and new parts can be fabricated and equipped to your board, with some upgrades giving BIOS the ability to glide over water and other surfaces that were previously denied to him. Furthermore, not only can speed be boosted, but other attributes as well, such as handling.Â
Another thing BIOS can do when walking or running is using his keytar as the musical instrument weapon it is, and attacking enemies. Enemies can be in a variety of forms, with the simplest of foes, easily able to be taken out by a few strikes, others will require the player and BIOS to get a little creative. Fortunately though, given how vast Cebete is, it is often you will defeat one horde of enemies and then get a few minutes of grace before encountering the next horde.
Plenty of time for BIOS’s health to recover. What’s more, other enemies are giant sandworms, and the whole encounter against them feels like an engaging boss battle, which players won’t want to miss out on. Can they get repetitive? Not really. Not if you’ve unlocked new abilities since your last encounter and made the necessary upgrades to turn the tide against them much quicker.
But what of the music? It rocks! No pun intended. The game’s soundtrack is one of Star Overdrive’s best features and helps to make the whole experience exhilarating. Additionally, by finding cassette tapes, players can find in-game QR codes, which when scanned, allow players to enjoy tracks from the game in the comfort of their own home, when not playing. It’s audio perfection and we can’t get enough of it!
While Star Overdrive mirrors The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, a little too much, at the end of the day, Star Overdrive is no Zelda clone. It possesses more than enough of its own unique elements and ideas to stand on its own two feet. It is a highly enjoyable open-world title with plenty to do, but even on the days you don’t want to do too much except, hover here and there and do a jump or two, Star Overdrive has no desire to punish you.
Things can feel slow at first, but with new items and materials, new upgrades become available and through new upgrades, come new means of exploration and more fun to be had. Star Overdrive is still the game many of us hoped it would be, and if our words are not enough to convince you, then play the demo, and let it convince you instead. Come for BIOS, but stay for the cel-shaded beauty of Cebete.
Game Specifications:
Developer: Caracal Games
Publisher: Plug In Digital
Platform: Nintendo Switch (eShop)
Category: Action, Adventure
No. of Players: 1 (Single System)
Release Date: April 10, 2025
Price: $34.99
File Size: 3.1 GB
Nintendo.com Listing
