TAKEAWAYS
- The loop is satisfying and expands at a decent pace
- The early going can be tough (but fair) until you unlock more weapons
- Enjoyment lives or dies based on how well you mesh with the designs
REVIEW
Fans of almost any genre have a roguelite equivalent they can flock to at this point, and another recently dropped for those who love side-scrolling beat ‘em ups. Star Fire: Eternal Cycle is a roguelite action game that prioritizes fast-paced, room-clearing combat and a gradual progression built upon a pathway littered with character-buffing pickups.
For the most part, Star Fire pulls off everything it’s aiming for with aplomb. Right out of the gate, developer Ethereal Fish Studio promises a streamlined experience that doesn’t get too complicated, and simplicity is definitely the name of the game here. If you’re new to the genre you may initially be overwhelmed with all the pop-ups that appear whenever you grab an item that can take your build down a new path, but it’s all fairly straightforward, leaning into the unpredictability that makes roguelites attractive in the first place.
Combat is built around a succession of light attacks and special moves that have a forgiving rate of recharge that can be further adjusted depending on the buffs you grab along the way. Enemies typically project their attack through visual cues, so you’re never truly caught off guard as long as you pay attention to the on-screen directional indicator. In a crunchier and more methodically-paced game, these hand-to-hand-(to-axe-to-flamethrower-etc) encounters might become a slog. Here, thankfully, movements and attacks are efficient enough to quickly dispatch almost anything.
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Elite and boss encounters will test your build more than your personal skills. Sure, you could brute force your way through a combination of well-timed attacks and perfect dodges—which, when executed just right, initiate a brief burst of slow-motion action—but bosses will likely always take you multiple attempts. The secret sauce to this and other entries in the genre is, then, to embrace the repeat attempts. When “die and retry” is understood as a key feature, paired with the knowledge that you will eventually succeed thanks to permanent upgrades, you enter the zen phase of the procedural loop.
Beyond the upgrade drops themselves, the other main procedural factor that keeps each run interesting is the branching structure of each stage. Upon exiting a room, you’ll be able to choose what type of area you want to transition to next. Out of the small handful of options you’ll see everything from unique combat challenges to looting opportunities, elite fights and, like a real oasis in the desert, the occasional room set aside solely to replenish health. Thoughtfully choosing your path can spell the difference between success and failure just as much as your build, and one fortunate turn could land you with just the rare offensive drop or defense boost you need to topple the next boss battle.
Aesthetically, Star Fire: Eternal Cycle doesn’t always land, but it still delivers a convincingly alien world with a few standout enemy designs. Some environments are more inspired than others, but in terms of confined sci-fi locales it’s suitably austere. Overall, this is an easy one to recommend for both roguelite fans and those curious about what makes these games work. Give it a few runs, unlock some new weapons outside of the starting trio, and you’ll find yourself coming back whenever you get the itch to beat ‘em all up while deftly rolling the dice of progression.
Platforms: PC (Steam)
Publisher: Indie Herb Games
Developer: Ethereal Fish Studio
Available: Now
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