We Love It's Guide to…
Pilot a mech against descending alien waves, using cards and grid positioning to stop them before Doom fills.
Released 30 Apr 2025
Stop the Alien Advance
Rewind Combat Turns
Pair Pilots With Mechs
Pilot a powerful mech to fight off the alien invasion in this ULTIMATE fusion of deckbuilding and grid-based tactics. Discover game-breaking combos, rewind time to alter your fate, and protect the future of humanity in this endlessly replayable roguelike.
Developed by Pengonauts · Published by Joystick Ventures, Beep Japan
In StarVaders, you pilot a mech to repel an alien invasion on a grid-based battlefield. Enemies advance toward the bottom of the board, and letting them push Doom too high can end your run.
Play cards to attack, move, and control enemy positions. Choose from different mechs and pilots, each with distinct cards and mechanics, then build on their strengths with cards, artifacts, and upgrades found during a run. Taking hits can add junk cards to your deck rather than immediately ending the fight.
Runs also let you spend Chrono Tokens to rewind a turn or revisit choices. Across runs, unlock more cards, pilots, and challenges, or try a Daily Run.
Players in the supplied reviews often enjoy how card-building choices combine with grid positioning, making fights feel like tactical puzzles and rewarding well-timed combos. Many also praise the distinct playstyles of the mechs and pilots, along with the art and music. Some reviewers find high difficulties too punishing or luck-dependent, while others feel the game is too easy or that runs end before builds fully develop.
The alien invasion has shattered Earth’s defenses. Pilot, the fate of humanity now rests in your hands. Take the helm of a powerful mech and fight off the invasion—one card at a time.
StarVaders combines tactical grid-based combat with deckbuilding strategy, placing you in command of a formidable mech during humanity’s last stand against the invaders. Build up a deck of powerful cards, unleash devastating combos, and defend the Earth at all costs!
Every mech in StarVaders has its own squad of pilots. Each mech introduces unique cards and mechanics, while your pilot further enhances your strategy with their distinct, powerful abilities.
Take command of the Gunner Mech to unleash an endless flurry of bullets and explosions, get up close and personal with the ninja-like Stinger Mech, or unleash the powerful spells and summons of the Keeper Mech!
Unleash game-breaking combos, outsmart the invaders, and push your build to the limit against ever-escalating threats. With hundreds of cards, artifacts, and upgrades, no two runs are ever the same.
Missed a perfect combo or found yourself cornered by the invaders? Use a Chrono Token to rewind time and rewrite your fate.
After each run, unlock powerful new cards, pilots, and deadlier enemies and bosses that raise the stakes in future battles. There’s an endless supply of builds and combos to discover every time you play.
Ready to push your limits? Take on the various Challenge Modes or dive into the Daily Run to really prove what you’re made of!
| Platforms | Windows, macOS |
|---|---|
| Achievements | 100 |
| Age ratings |
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| Controller support | PlayStation, Xbox |
| Controller required | No |
| Demo | View demo on Steam |
| DLC / extras | 2 listed on Steam |
| Metacritic | 85/100 View on Metacritic |
| Website | Official website |
