StarVaders

Roguelike deckbuilder with grid-based mech combat against alien invaders

Pengonauts · Published by Joystick Ventures, Beep Japan · Released Apr 30, 2025

Adventure Indie Strategy

Reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive; 97% of 4,386
Recent reviews: Very Positive; 81% of 33 in 30 days
Playing now: 31; right now
Steam Deck: Verified
Last update: 5 months ago; Mar 31, 2026

Free demo available, 0 playing it now: get the demo.

Metacritic: 85/100 (critic reviews)

What is StarVaders?

As Earth faces an alien invasion, you pilot a mech in turn-based grid battles, playing cards to move, attack, and combine abilities. In each roguelike run, you build a deck around your mech and pilot, then unlock more cards and pilots for later attempts.

For you if...

+you enjoy planning turns around card draws and grid positions
+you like experimenting with different mechs, pilots, and card combinations
+you want repeatable runs with escalating enemies and bosses

Not for you if...

−you prefer real-time action over turn-based card tactics
−you want fixed abilities instead of building decks during runs
−you prefer continuous campaigns over restarting separate runs

What players say

97% of 4,386 reviews are positive · 81% of 33 in the last 30 days

Players praise the mix of grid tactics and deckbuilding, especially card combinations and distinct mech and pilot playstyles. Complaints focus on repetitive encounters, uneven difficulty, and requirements for unlocking characters.