Starlight Re:Volver is here to help you live out your magical girl fantasy! Don’t worry, boys are invited too, after all, no one makes a better magical girl than an anime boy.
Coming from developer Pahdo Labs, Starlight Re:Volver is an upcoming hectic roguelite dungeon crawler, where you will unite with three other people to venture into the dreamlike world of So Mi and fight using your flashy Diver powers. All following an epic anime transformation, of course.
The game is coming to Early Access at a later point, with the developers expecting it to remain there for 1–2 years, possibly more depending on the audience’s expectations. Pahdo Labs believes that the best games are created with the community, and Starlight Re:Volver is no different. Player feedback will be instrumental in shaping the game into its final form.
However, all players will be able to try the game and use Diver Powers by themselves once the devs release the Steam demo. Mark your calendar, you can check Starlight Re:Volver out between June 8th and June 16th, and experience a representative slice of player experience, including traversing NIM, chilling with other players, fishing, and fighting through So Mi.
I was among the lucky ones who had a chance to check out the demo ahead of time, and I’m here to share my first impressions. Let’s dive right in!
The events of the game take place in NIM, the vibrant anime-inspired Nishi Island Metropolis. There are people called Divers there who possess special abilities to access dreams and the fantastical world of So Mi, where you and three other players will take on a variety of challenges.
In between dives, you can explore NIM, chill with other players, craft, fish, refuel and find the party for your next adventure. It is a bright, wholesome place, tinged with just a bit of nostalgia and the essence of the 90’s anime.
And when everything else fails to grab your attention, there are a number of mini-games to kill some time in!
Overall, Starlight’s hub is a chill place that won’t overly stress you with must have-s and should do-s, there are no weeklies, dailies, or a long laundry list of tasks to complete, no need to farm and grind for ingredients to craft your gear. Simply login and let the nostalgia guide you.
The game’s world is vibrant and bright, whether you are staying in NIM or visiting the chaotic So Mi, with the graphics reminiscent of old school anime and classic PlayStation games.
When it comes to So Mi, the rules of NIM and the real world go out the window. You are in for floating islands and stellar space stations, filled with a variety of enemies that have it out for you.
That is where the protagonists’ Diver powers come in handy. Roll through the zones, destroying everything in your path (including the surroundings), collecting power-ups and charms, using flashy and devastating ultimates, and finally reach the endboss that will test your skills and build.
The demo had three playable characters:
- Effy, the game’s poster girl. Re:Volver describes her as a reckless juggernaut of a Diver from the outskirts of Nishi Island. Her fearlessness and resolve baffle and inspire even the most unlikely confidants. She is a melee-focused fighter that likes to stay, quote, in your face.
- Kira, an elite Diver from the illustrious Tsukino Clan. Having trained for years under the cold shadow of her superstar sister, she strives for perfection no matter the cost. Kira’s playstyle is more of a mid-range, constantly dashing in and out of melee (though that’s more dependant on your build)
- Ren, so far the only magical boy in the neighborhood. He is a kind-hearted dockhand from the South Marina slums. His explosive, high-flying theatrics have won the hearts of starry-eyed children across Nishi Island. He’s more of a team player, though that doesn’t mean that you should scoff at his damage potential!
Attentive viewers might notice another mystery figure in the screenshots… Alas, there is currently no info on this other Diver.
What sets Starlight Re:Volver apart from, say, MOBAs, is that your build and the way you play is entirely up to you, down to every single ability. Though, RNG Gods have their say as well.
Throughout your runs through So Mi, you will be picking up upgrades, power-ups and charms, rapidly building your character of choice up from a rookie to a monster-nuking machine. With every dive affected by RNG and your companions, you are unlikely to ever have two similar experiences, even if you play the same character and try to recreate the same build.
If you feel overwhelmed and don’t know what works or doesn’t, just go for the passives! A few maps in, you will get a feeling of what works for you in this particular run and with these particular companions.
After every cleared out zone, your expedition will get a choice on where to proceed next, choosing from a few randomized options: a combat zone, a location that will award a charm or extra fuel, or maybe a hub that will let you heal or spend your hard-earned currency.
But what if you can’t agree? Then cast your die and let the random decide!
While adventuring through So Mi, you’d want to keep an eye on your party’s fuel. Running out is a quick way to return to NIM – and, while you won’t be empty-handed, it will also not be anything to brag in chat about. Running out of fuel in the middle of the boss fight pretty much ensures that the boss will go berserk, turning your dungeon crawling experience into a bullet hell.
And if that wasn’t enough, you’d have to deal with racing against the clock: running out of fuel begins to consume your HP at a rate that I won’t call slow. If your reserves run dry in the middle or close to the end of the final boss fight, you might still squeeze through.
However, if you show up running on fumes from the get-go, the bleed will kill you before the boss can. So in addition to competently figuring out your build and charms, the way to synergize with your team, you will have to keep the fuel in mind, always. Managing it is as important as working on your combat capabilities.
At the moment, the only thing that stands between Starlight Re:Volver and greatness is the lack of variety and story. I’d love to learn more about NIM and So Mi, why the two exist the way they are, who are the Divers and what is the story behind their abilities.
At the same time, nothing would improve combat more than adding more characters and abilities/items. Having the party of four but only three playable characters means that there is always at least one repeat. Is it a disaster in and of itself? No, not really. You could potentially level and gear up your Ren or Effy in a way that would plug a hole in your teambuilding. Yet, more options are always welcome.
The same thing can be said about the social or solo activities in NIM. Add some training grounds, more mini-games, some sort of purely cosmetic collection that you can work towards and show off, and Starlight Re:Volver is ready to win over hearts.
