Sophstar is a 2022 Steam arcade shooter from Brazillian developer Banana Bytes. Although we wouldn’t normally review games that have been out a while, you’ll understand why we couldn’t resist taking a test flight after reading this review. Simply put, Sophstar is a shooter fan’s dream. If you’re a fan of this genre, just stop reading this review, buy it, and enjoy right now.
There’s a story that accompanies the arcade mode told through short cutscenes between levels that feature beautiful pixel art. It’s the usual shooter trope of the lone hero taking on the aliens. These interludes can be turned off in the options so you can focus on the action. However, it’s worth seeing through the story at least once just to see the amazing artwork.
Before getting into the nuances of Sophstar’s gameplay, it’s worth mentioning there are nine ships to choose from. It’d be easy to assume the differences were simply cosmetic or slight changes, but each ship is genuinely different. At times, switching ships feels like a whole new game. This instantly gives you nine ways to play, each with its own tactic, strengths and weaknesses.
It’s not just the ship choices that give Sophstar lots of variety either. There are multiple ways to score points and so many modes to complete it will keep even the most hardened of shmup veterans busy for many hours. And if all this longevity wasn’t enough, the cherry on top is each level has three secrets to discover that unlocks a different boss battle and reward extra lives.
Like most shmups, you blast your way through Sophstars eight stages by defeating bosses and not running out of lives. Each ship has a unique basic shot and a special that is charged gradually as you progress. Each stage has a distinct look and some of the mini-bosses are cleverly designed and add real variety to the gameplay. Also, The hitbox for each ship is quite generous. These means even novice players can get up to speed quite quickly without feeling overwhelmed.
Sophstar controls well and feels responsive at all times, any deaths are your own. There is a slow mechanic that can be used for boss fights that gives precision control during moments when bullets fill the screen. There’s also an interesting teleport mechanic that each ship uses slightly differently. This adds some strategic elements and adds depth to the proceedings. You can get through the easier difficulties without using it, but expert players will find to make use of it on the harder modes.
Sophstar’s graphics are bold and bright using 8-bit arcade sprites with modern flare. A criticism is some bullets blend in with the background on some levels, but this is a minor concern. The music sounds a little generic in places but matches the action and stays true to the genre’s roots. The presentation is generally excellent throughout and there are lots of visual options to suit any gamer’s taste.
Overall, Sophstar is simply a must-buy if you’re a fan of arcade shooters. Casual fans will get some old-school arcade kicks and it’s suitable for novices and veterans alike. It’s also a bargain at this price point and has a refreshing amount of longevity for a game in this genre. Sophstar is a bonafide classic of a loved genre and has set a new standard for other indie developers in this field.
If you like these kinds of games you may enjoy our Eschatos review.
