[Analysis] Stardiver: The underwater promise that sank before setting sail

Hello gamers! Today we are going to dive into the depths of Stardiver, that underwater science fiction game that promised to be the bomb but that, unfortunately, took water everywhere (at least, for now). Hold on, because this trip is going to be hectic.

My first encounter with Stardiver: love at first sight… on Steam

When I first saw theStardiver Steam page, I almost fell off my chair. An underwater exploration game with space-style combat? Take my money! It looked cool, with those futuristic ships sailing across alien oceans full of strange creatures. An underwater version of Everspace 2. I thought, "This is the game I've always wanted and never knew I needed."

I added Stardiver to my wish list faster than Usain Bolt in the 100 meter dash. And I wasn't the only one, because the game amassed about 20,000 followers before launch. We were all like children waiting for Christmas to arrive.

I have always liked space games and also those that take place in the sea (or under it). They have a special magic. So what happened to this one?

On launch day: Houston, we have a problem

The big day arrived and, with the excitement of a kid in a candy store, I got the game and launched into the adventure. But, surprise, it turned out that the ocean was rougher than I expected, and not because of the sea creatures.

The controls: more difficult than juggling octopuses

The first thing I noticed was that managing the ship was like trying to control soap in the shower. The controls were so unresponsive that I felt like I was piloting a brick instead of an underwater spaceship. Trying to navigate the stages was more frustrating than trying to open a pickle jar with wet hands.

And I consider myself to be very good at "ship" games, so no, it's not about me being one-handed at playing. It is because the controls are incorrectly adjusted.

The developers have already responded to player feedback regarding this and stated that they will correct the control system in future updates. It remains to be seen if it improves enough for us to forget about this.

The combat: David against Goliath, but David is blindfolded

And when it was time to face the enemies... phew! It was like trying to win a pillow fight against King Kong. Even on the easiest level, the enemies seemed invincible. Between the clunky controls and extreme difficulty, each encounter became an exercise in patience worthy of a Buddhist monk.

I have a lot of patience and I like difficulty in games, but this was already going from being fun to being frustrating. A common mistake in many games with this trend of trying to make them difficult just because.

The interface: a puzzle without instructions

Trying to understand how resource gathering and item crafting worked was like trying to decipher hieroglyphs without the Rosetta Stone. Tutorials were conspicuous by their absence, and the interface seemed designed by someone who hates gamers. I felt like a grandpa trying to program VHS in the 90s.

It's not all bad: those graphics are good!

Despite everything, I have to admit that the game is a visual delight. The ship designs are so good that they almost make up for how poorly they control. And the underwater settings… wow! It's as if Jacques Cousteau and H.R. Giger would have had an artist son. Every time I stopped to admire the scenery (which was often, thanks to the controls), my jaw dropped.

https://youtu.be/5BGteOrH3fQ?si=hewpNpP8nbx-sPxA

Sunken Potential: What Could Have Been

The most frustrating thing about Stardiver is that you can see the potential shining beneath the surface, like treasure at the bottom of the sea. The idea is great: underwater exploration, space combat, survival... it has all the ingredients to be a great game! But it's as if they had made a paella with the best ingredients and then it burned.

Imagining a better future

I start dreaming about what Stardiver could be if they fixed their problems:

• Silky smooth controls: Imagine gliding through the water like a space dolphin. Now that would be great!
• Balanced combat: Let enemies be a challenge, not a death sentence. I want to feel like Aquaman, not like shark food.
• Clear tutorials: A good system that guides you without taking you by the hand. Like an underwater GPS, come on.

The final verdict: a shipwreck with rescue potential

After spending hours fighting the controls and dying more times than Kenny did in South Park, I have to say that Stardiver, in its current state, is difficult to recommend. It's like a submarine with holes: it has potential, but it needs a lot of repairs before it's seaworthy.

However, I don't lose hope. With the right updates, Stardiver could become the game we've all been waiting for. Imagine: fluid controls, balanced combat, an intuitive interface… it would be the dream of any underwater science fiction fan!

The award for the best underwater game I played in recent years still goes to itShinsekai: Into the Depths, from Capcom. I was hoping Stardiver would surpass him, but it wasn't to be. Although we will see how it progresses.

Tips for the brave who dare to dive

If you still decide to plunge into the depths of Stardiver, here are some survival tips:

1. Patience, young padawan: You're going to need the patience of an angler to deal with the controls.
2. Practice, practice, practice: Take time to familiarize yourself with the controls before launching into the action.
3. Explore before you fight: Take advantage of the visual beauty of the game. Sometimes just floating and admiring the scenery can be rewarding.
4. Únete a la comunidad: Busca foros y grupos de Discord. Compartir frustraciones puede ser terapéutico, y quizás encuentres trucos útiles.
5. Mantén un ojo en las actualizaciones: Los desarrolladores podrían lanzar parches que mejoren la experiencia (¡eso espero!).

Final thoughts: a lesson for the industry

El caso de Stardiver es un claro ejemplo de por qué es crucial pulir un juego antes de lanzarlo. Es como servir un pastel antes de que esté completamente horneado: por muy buenos que sean los ingredientes, si no está bien hecho, nadie lo va a disfrutar.

Para peor, las webs especializadas, como la nuestra, muchas veces solemos analizar los juegos en su lanzamiento. Si no tienes un buen producto desde el inicio. es difícil que no recibas malas reviews y, por tanto, mala publicidad. Ahí está el ejemplo claro con Rime o con No Man’s Sky.

Para los desarrolladores, espero que esto sea una lección sobre la importancia de escuchar el feedback durante el desarrollo y quizás considerar un período de acceso anticipado.

Y para nosotros, los jugadores, es un recordatorio de que no todo lo que brilla es oro… o en este caso, no todo lo que se sumerge es un tesoro.

And now what?

Mientras esperamos a ver si Stardiver emerge de las profundidades mejorado y renovado, ¿qué otros juegos de exploración submarina o espacial recomendarías? ¿Has probado Stardiver? ¿Cuál fue tu experiencia? Déjame tus comentarios abajo, ¡me encanta leer sus opiniones!Y recuerden, amigos: en el espacio, nadie puede oírte gritar… pero bajo el agua, al menos puedes hacer burbujas de frustración. ¡Hasta la próxima inmersión gaming!