Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions is a community-based game where players collaborate to tackle expeditions, complete missions, and fend off attacking life forms. It offers a free-roaming environment that allows players to engage in a variety of activities.
Cat with Monocle had the opportunity to test a short demo of this exploration game at PAX West, guided by one of the game’s developers who explained the mechanics in its early stages of development.
Same World but Different Path
Starseeker is a spin-off of the 2016 game Astroneer, set in the same universe. System Era Softworks, the team behind Astroneer, is currently working on Starseeker. The main difference between the two is that Starseeker emphasizes co-op exploration, while Astroneer focuses on survival and base-building. Starseeker will exist as a separate project with its own unique storytelling and missions. The game is scheduled to be released next year for PC and home consoles.
One Giant Step
Starting off on an inhabited planet, you can partner with other players to tackle obstacles and missions, or simply roam around for fun. The planet you inhabit can potentially have at least a dozen players but the details of how it will work are still being finalized. The idea is to have a steady handful of players that won’t overload the planet and make it unbearable to explore.
Players can use their high-technology weapons to alter the landscape or even add to it. You can create tunnels and truly make the world your own, similar to sandbox games like Minecraft. Players can eliminate lifeforms that pose a threat with their weapons and gather necessary materials for missions or other needs.
During the demo, you are tasked with finding the relay station. Next, you and at least one other player had to retrieve the missing sensor and bring it back. One player needed to carry it while the others helped clear a path to make it easier to reach the mission’s goal. Along the way, you may encounter a large, wild beast. You can choose to confront it or distract it to give one of your teammates a chance to obtain the lost sensor. You can try to go solo but it’s a rougher path.
The gameplay and controls feel comfortable, allowing you to explore at your own pace. The ability to navigate and choose from a variety of paths to complete objectives creates a laid-back atmosphere. While you may encounter confrontational lifeforms, there are ways to navigate around them or defend yourself. The simple graphics and vibrant color palettes make exploration fun for you and others. You could easily enjoy playing with friends or even with your children. While the demo only allows us to play on one planet, expect more to explore when the game is released next year.
Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions is set to release in 2026 on the Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC (Steam). Cross-platform play has not been confirmed for this title yet. Fans can visit the official website for more information about the game.