You might find a lush green forest world full of trees with eyes, or a desert world where bird-people stand guard over a mausoleum. The worlds are persistent but randomised, each one distinct and fascinating. Starting out with just a ship, a matter manipulator that gathers resources painfully slowly, and a vague sense of optimism, you’re given a small starting planet within a small solar system in an impossibly vast universe. But you can team up with your friends and use it to take part in a harmonic rendition of Daft Punk’s Get Lucky, and that’s why it matters so much.Īt first glance Starbound, which sold its millionth copy a couple of weeks ago despite only being available in early beta form, is all about striking out into a strange and almost unwaveringly hostile universe. You can’t eat it or use it to keep warm (though you can plant a farm and warm yourself at a campfire). You can’t use it as a weapon (though there are plenty of those to be found). In this procedurally generated universe of technocratic apes, evil sentient flowers and obscure and concerning monsters of many varieties, not once will the trumpet assist you in solving your problems. The most important thing you should know about Starbound is that you can play the trumpet.Īt no point will this come in handy.
