Startide is an action indie top-down shooter for PC in which players pilot customizable mechs through procedurally generated space battles while following a narrative campaign. The game places emphasis on arcade-style combat against fleets of enemies that scale in size and firepower based on player progress.
Gameplay
Core combat revolves around piloting one of nine distinct mechs, each equipped with different primary guns and close-combat options. Players customize skill combinations for each mech to match preferred playstyles, such as focusing on ranged firepower or aggressive melee approaches. Battles unfold in a classic top-down perspective where the mech traverses open space areas, collecting resources and engaging enemy formations.
Opponents appear through procedural generation, ensuring each encounter varies in composition and difficulty. Enemies adapt by increasing in mass and deploying additional weapon batteries as the player advances. Resource gathering during fights supports upgrades and the creation of new vessels through an in-game editor that incorporates discovered technology parts.
Exploration ties into the single-player experience, with missions involving navigation across uncharted regions, interaction with planetary inhabitants, and collection of artifacts that influence alliances and story progression.
Game Modes
Story mode forms the main single-player campaign. Players lead Earth's fleet in search of new energy sources, visiting planets, forming alliances, and confronting a mysterious antagonistic force. This mode integrates combat with narrative elements centered on galactic discovery and escalating threats.
Online rank mode allows players to test custom spaceship creations against those built by others. Participants upload their editor-made vessels to compete in ranked encounters, adding a competitive layer focused on fleet design and performance.
Shared split-screen co-op supports two players tackling similar stages together, providing an alternative to solo play. Additional features include leaderboards for tracking performance and workshop support for sharing creations.
Customization and Progression
Progression centers on gathering parts and weapons during battles to expand the editor toolkit. Players assemble new spaceships by combining collected technology, then refine them through testing before deploying in online matches. This system encourages experimentation with different mech loadouts and fleet compositions across repeated play sessions.
Nine base mechs serve as starting points, each offering unique weapon profiles and close-combat capabilities. Skill customization further differentiates runs, allowing adjustments to abilities that complement specific strategies in both story missions and competitive play.
Is It Worth Playing?
Startide suits players who enjoy arcade top-down shooters with strong emphasis on mech customization and procedural combat encounters. The story mode delivers a campaign focused on exploration and escalating conflicts, while the editor and online rank mode provide ongoing creative and competitive outlets.
Reception on PC stands at mixed, with 63 percent positive from a small number of reviews. Some feedback highlights enjoyable combat loops and customization depth, while others note challenges with controls and handling that affect overall experience. The game includes split-screen co-op and remote play options for shared sessions.
Those seeking a compact indie title with spaceship-building tools and ranked competition against user creations may find value in its systems. Availability remains on PC with single-player and multiplayer features intact since its 2017 release.
