Baldur’s Gate 3 took the world by storm when it landed in 2023, surprising many with its success. The CRPG genre, while always having a dedicated following, was not considered a mainstream gaming staple. However, Larian Studios’ title propelled CRPGs to unprecedented popularity.
Many anticipated a surge of CRPGs following Baldur’s Gate 3’s success, but that has not been the case. According to new independent studio Epictellers Entertainment, the complexity of creating CRPGs is a significant barrier. Despite this, the studio has ambitiously announced Starfinder: Afterlight, a new CRPG inspired by the likes of Baldur’s Gate 3, Guardians of the Galaxy, Pathfinder, and Divinity Original Sin II.
Starfinder: Afterlight – A New Adventure
During a recent virtual preview, Albert Jane and Ricard Pillosu, co-founders of Epictellers Entertainment, expressed their deep appreciation for tabletop RPGs, which introduced them to the Starfinder IP. Starfinder, a sci-fi fantasy TRPG from Paizo, first emerged in 2017. Starfinder: Afterlight aims to adapt this tabletop experience into a video game, featuring a new original story developed in collaboration with Paizo.
Players familiar with Starfinder will find some recognizable elements, but prior experience is not necessary for this adaptation. The game’s narrative revolves around the ‘afterlight’, an event threatening to engulf the galaxy in darkness. Players must search for the missing Captain Khali, voiced by Carolina Ravassa, who may hold the key to preventing this catastrophe.
Development and Features
As an independent project, Starfinder: Afterlight has launched a Kickstarter campaign, indicating its early development stage. The preview showcased a glimpse of what players can expect, with all essential CRPG elements present. The game promises a branching narrative, estimated to take 40 to 60 hours to complete. Players will engage in turn-based combat and recruit companions, reminiscent of Baldur’s Gate 3.
The game boasts an impressive voice cast, including Fred Tatasciore as Kole, Inel Tomlinson as Tycho, Melissa Medina as Lu-323, and James Alexander as Sterling. Under the direction of Neil Newbon, known for his work on Baldur’s Gate 3, the voice recording sessions aim to maximize the cast’s potential. Albert and Ricard praised Newbon’s passion for the project.
Community Engagement and Future Prospects
Companions in Starfinder: Afterlight can be romanced or upset, potentially leading them to abandon the player. The game is designed for solo play, but recruiting companions is encouraged. Currently, the game is a single-player experience, built using the Godot Engine, with an early access release targeted for 2026 and a full launch in 2027. However, these timelines are subject to change.
The Kickstarter campaign aims to ensure community involvement in the game’s development. While additional funding will enhance the game with extra features, the preview suggests that the core elements of Starfinder: Afterlight are already compelling. This title is one to watch, and supporting the Kickstarter could be a worthwhile investment for fans of the genre.
Starfinder: Afterlight is targeting an early access PC launch in 2026, promising to bring the CRPG experience to space.
