MONTREAL, Quebec – March. 27, 2025 – Independent developer Pengonauts and publisher Joystick Ventures are proud to announce that, after more than 3 years in development and having garnered more than 55.000 wishlists, the mech-themed tactical roguelike deckbuilder StarVaders (trailer, Steam, press kit, website) will launch this April 30 on Steam at a price of US$ 24.99, with a 10% off during the first 2 weeks after release.. StarVaders brings a card game where you pilot a mech to protect the future of humanity from alien invaders using tactical grid-based combat. Easy-to-learn but hard to master, by combining the spatial intuitiveness of grid-based tactics with the deep synergies and theorycrafting of deckbuilding games, StarVaders aims to present a uniquely elegant experience to both casual players and dedicated fans of the genre.
“It's always great watching someone play the game and discover a new combo I didn't even realize and then pretend it was all planned. I’m looking forward to seeing what players come up with when they put their hands on the release version and see all the cool stuff we added.” - Eddie Cai a.k.a. axolotl, Lead Designer.
In StarVaders, the world depends on your deckbuilding and tactical skills, select your favorite among 10 pilots and jump into one of the 3 unique mechs available to fight alien invaders. Strategize, prepare crazy combos, and even use the rewind time feature with the chrono tokens to reverse the key mistakes, and keep your mission on track.
Main Features:
- 3 Mechs with completely distinct mechanics;
- 10 Pilots with unique playstyles and their own stories;
- 268 Cards to craft your deck with;
- 153 Artifacts that change the rules of the game;
- 10 Packs that are randomly added to the card pool to keep runs fresh;
- 9 Bosses that will test your limits;
- 50 Invaders each with their own abilities;
- Story Campaign & Secret Finale;
- Ascending Difficulties each with new gameplay mechanics;
- Challenge Run & Daily Run game modes.
Each mech and its dedicated pilots offer unique synergies that modify the gameplay. Command the Gunner Mecha’s board-clearing firepower with Roxy, Noel, or Zeke, take control of the ninja-like Stinger Mecha with pilots Shun, Hali or Kaia, or unleash the spell-wielding powers of the Keeper controlled by Iris, Xenn, Garu or Sura. Enhance your mech's power with over 400 unlockable cards, artifacts, and upgrades, forming fresh strategies on the fly to face new alien enemies and monstrous bosses.
For more intercepted transmissions aboutStarVaders, check out Pengonauts’’s official website and follow @starvaders_game on X and on BlueSky, also follow the publisher @JoystickVenture on social media.
Watch the trailer:
https://youtu.be/ME6Goz1pYVE
About Pengonauts
Pengonauts (formerly StarVaders Studio) is a Montreal-based three-person team delivering unique, fun, and memorable titles to share with the gaming community. StarVaders is their first commercial title and passion project. Find more about Pengonauts at https://pengonauts.com
About Joystick Ventures
Joystick Ventures is a California-based investing and publishing company whose main goal is to encourage indie developers to stay honest and promote experimentation to push the limits of game design across all genres, styles, and geographies. They are most known for their 2022 release, Lost in Play, which has sold more than 200,000 copies.