Starfinder: Afterlight, a CRPG based on one of my favourite systems that pulled in almost $1 million on Kickstarter, is starting to look ship-shape

Starfinder: Afterlight, a CRPG based on the popular Pathfinder 2e system, recently launched on Kickstarter and raised nearly $1 million in funding. The project boasts notable voice talent, including Arthur Morgan from Red Dead Redemption and Neil Newbon, who voices an interstellar priest bug. Epicteller Game, the studio behind the game, also enlisted Neil Newbon for voice direction.

After playing the latest demo, which is still rough around the edges, the reporter left with a cautious optimism, noting that the game has shown significant improvement since its March playtest. The demo features a gorgeously animated intro set on a swashbuckling space adventure, with a protagonist named Khali defending escape pods on the planet Akiton.

The reporter praises the game's aesthetics, including character portraits and comic-book style cutscenes, and the voice acting, which, while not perfect, is charming and well-matched to the character designs. The UI has been improved, making it easier for players to navigate their characters and abilities. The three-action system used in the game is also praised, particularly by a Pathfinder 2e fan.

However, the demo has its issues, including poor performance, lack of graphical settings, clunky combat animations, and a limited gameplay experience with few meaningful NPCs or side quests. The reporter concludes by stating that while the game is currently a work in progress, Epicteller Game shows promise in their ability to deliver a polished final product.