Star Renegades impressions: One of the best Xbox Game Pass PC games right now

Source: Massive Harm

When side by side-gen consoles and AAA games command about of the spotlight, smaller games can sometimes sideslip through the cracks. To that end, Xbox Game Pass has been an incredibly useful tool for those brief windows in time where I become to play something for pure leisure rather than for piece of work. Information technology's right at that place on my PC, with at-a-glance explanations of what to expect for each game, which is how I discovered this magnificent gem: Star Renegades.

Star Renegades is currently available on Xbox Game Pass for PC, alongside Steam, with a planned panel launch coming at a later date. And hither's why I love it, and why y'all should definitely stick it on your radar.

Cross dimensions

Star Renegades

Impressions Summary

Star Renegades looks stunning, with some of the best pixel-style art I've seen in years.
Despite beingness turn-based, Star Renegades combat feels highly involved with a great sense of touch.
Roguelike-manner repetition might put some players off.

Should you buy Star Renegades? If yous yearn for a plow-based experience that really pushes you to think, Star Renegades is amongst the best out there.

What is Star Renegades?

Star Renegades fight screen Source: Windows Central

Star Renegades is a sci-fi roguelike with RPG elements and spectacular pixel-style visuals. Set across multiple timelines, you essentially play the role of a dimension-hopping robot, trying to find at least one universe where the hero characters were able to win an intergalactic war across space and fourth dimension.

To that end, yous'll recruit a troupe of renegades — Star Renegades if y'all will — who unlock gradually after repeated failures to unravel the evil armies trying to have over the universe. Every time you neglect, the robot will bring the gainsay intel with him to a new dimension, which forms the basis of the game'due south roguelike-style "fail to meliorate" gameplay.

It may sound simplistic, but several overlapping and intersecting features makes Star Renegades a dynamic and interesting feel that has held my interest far longer than many other games that lean into this formula.

Star Renegades is a stunning audiovisual assault

A big function of what makes Star Renegades so enthralling is its meticulous and stunning fine art style, which draws inspiration from Mega Drive and SNES classics of old with a mod twist. Star Renegades has truly spectacular combat animations and sound treatment, which add a sense of bear on and responsiveness many other turn-based games struggle with. For practiced measure, Star Renegades too throws in more modernized lighting effects that give its 2D sprites boosted depth. Equally a bonus, bank check out this Halo fanart from the lead artist.

You'll battle across 4 planetary biomes throughout the game. Each comes with spectacular landscapes and sci-fi scenery, and a whole armada of unique monsters and cyborgs to face off against. They all culminate in a boss event, which often takes identify in unique arenas with some added flair. It'south a good thing this game is turn-based because otherwise, I'g sure I'd get killed while staring, entranced by some of this game's scenery.

Source: Massive Harm

I haven't unlocked all of the game's characters yet, simply you'll proceeds access to a wide variety of playable squaddies equally yous wage war across time and space. Each looks like they'd be right at home in any big-upkeep sci-fi anime, and there should be something to fit everybody'southward sci-fi tastes, from mystical droids to Han Solo-like smuggler saboteurs.

It's not all about looks, though. Star Renegades is a nail to play equally well.

Turn-based gameplay that really makes you think

Star Renegades Source: Windows Central

Star Renegades is unlike any other plough-based game I've played in recent years. Information technology really forces you to adapt your strategies to run across each unique threat, and of that, in that location are many.

I haven't unlocked all the depths of Star Renegades' gainsay complexity yet, simply I can provide a decent enough overview. Actions are taken across a timeline that displays at the top of each gainsay segment. Dissimilar moves crave more than time to execute. Certain types of attacks can likewise inflict additional penalties on an enemy, or, vice versa, be resisted to a greater caste. Slapping an enemy earlier you get hit may also push their position on the timeline dorsum, too. Y'all can fifty-fifty button them all the way off the timeline, triggering an interrupt.

Every bit you queue upwardly your moves to respond to the enemy, you'll see what effects, if whatsoever, your attacks will have on the enemy positions on the timeline. Mastering your techniques and strategies to give yourself the all-time chance of winning an engagement is only a small piece of the puzzle, though.

Star Renegades promotions Source: Windows Central

Each incursion into enemy territory takes place on an former-school Final Fantasy-mode overworld, which gives you a bird's center view of where the enemies are moving around the map. You'll only have a few in-game days before the boss shows up, then ideally y'all'll want to prioritize certain movements before the bossman lands. Possibly there's a loot box you need at the top of the map or a healing and armor repair facility you'll want to use before going for the end boss.

Additionally, each night you tin recover at the camp, and build-up friendships between your titular renegades. Building upward social links can unlock incredibly power tag-squad attacks, which as well cistron into the characters you desire to prioritize for character progression and growth. If i of your teammates die, they are fully expressionless for the remainder of this timeline.

Star Renegades also utilizes something vaguely reminiscent of the famed "Nemesis system" from Heart-globe: Shadow of War. Certain elite mini-bosses volition rank-up if they're allowed to escape, only they'll yield greater rewards when you finally have them out.

Definitely play Star Renegades

Star Renegades Source: Windows Central

I'yard nevertheless exploring the depths of Star Renegades on Xbox Game Pass for PC. The game has a truly wild array of features with great writing, impressive combat, and truly gorgeous visuals that I tin't wait to see more of from the team at Massive Damage.

If you relish plow-based experiences, definitely give Star Renegades a go — if you're on Xbox Game Pass for PC or Game Laissez passer Ultimate, yous can take hold of it every bit part of your subscription too. Star Renegades volition also launch for consoles by the cease of 2022.

Cross dimensions

Star Renegades

Get a renegade

Star Renegades is a unique feel for fans of plough-based RPGs and roguelikes, available now on Steam and Xbox Game Pass for PC.

Xbox Game Pass

Chief

Become Xbox Game Pass For Just $1
Xbox Game Pass: Everything To Know
What is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate?
All-time Xbox Game Pass for Xbox One
All-time Xbox Game Pass for PC

We may earn a committee for purchases using our links. Learn more than.

Netflix for PCMR

The best games for PC Game Pass so far

Whether yous're new to PC gaming or simply new to PC Game Pass, it can exist a bit daunting to trudge through the entire itemize to find what to play beginning, so we've listed nine of our favorites to get you started.