I got this title through a special sale & so I had no knowledge or hype of it when I first played it. I love this title but SEE THE IMPORTANT NOTE AT THE END.
StarCrawlers is cool. The sights & the sounds are recognizably-future but also eye-catching - a real visual treat if you have any interest in a sci-fi / future / cyberpunk setting. An amazing soundtrack suitably thrums when the game starts up, meanders when the player negotiates with employers & pulses with energy as combat begins.
The presentation is beyond smooth, especially when spending time "on the job," navigating factories, ships, luxury hotels, et cetera. As appropriate, rooms vary from pristine & extravagant to junky & in varying states of disrepair. Light reflects in windows, sparks fly from damaged wall panels & more. The visual style of the game is superb. Though primary character animation seems to be simple 2D-sprites, they're animated very well.
The characters in the game are an incredibly engrossing experience - the 8 classes are fun to explore, both in backstory & builds (each have some varying backgrounds & each have 3 'roles' to choice - or mix & match), as well as some of the clientele you'll bump into throughout the game.
The combat in the game is really fun - a colorful caste of enemies with plenty of personality keep things interesting. Security Forces suitably warble into their radios as they fire upon you while robots jitter & chirp or grind & lumber about before they attempt to take you down. The varying types of fauna ferociously roar or shriek as they attempt to run you out of their home. Learning the combat system & the skills that each character, ally & hired gun (& the equipment they wield) yield such satisfying synergy when everything goes just right.
GOG Galaxy says I've sunk 40 hours into this title. I expect to sink 40 more.
NOTE: Game is made in Unity. Some story missions crashed - A LOT, but dev's active on Steam & regularly releasing patches. I DID beat the game.
