Baldur’s Gate 3 took the gaming world by storm in 2023, revitalizing the CRPG genre and surprising many with its widespread appeal. Despite the genre’s niche status, Larian Studios’ title catapulted CRPGs to new heights, leading many to anticipate a surge of similar games. However, this anticipated flood has not materialized, largely due to the complexity of creating such games. Enter Epictellers Entertainment, a new independent studio that has embraced this challenge with their announcement of Starfinder: Afterlight.
During a recent virtual preview, I explored Starfinder: Afterlight, a CRPG inspired by titles like Baldur’s Gate 3, Guardians of the Galaxy, Pathfinder, and Divinity Original Sin II. Albert Jane and Ricard Pillosu, co-founders of Epictellers, expressed their deep appreciation for tabletop RPGs, which led them to the Starfinder IP—a sci-fi fantasy TRPG from Paizo that debuted in 2017. This game adaptation promises a new original story developed in collaboration with Paizo, aiming to capture the essence of the tabletop experience.
Bringing Tabletop Adventures to the Digital Realm
For those familiar with Starfinder, Starfinder: Afterlight offers a fresh yet familiar setting. However, prior experience with the tabletop game is not necessary to enjoy this video game adaptation. The narrative centers around the ‘afterlight,’ a critical event threatening to envelop the galaxy in darkness. Players must locate the missing Captain Khali, voiced by Carolina Ravassa, who holds the key to averting this catastrophe.
As an independent project, Starfinder: Afterlight has launched a Kickstarter campaign, marking the game as early in development. The preview showcased a glimpse of what players can expect, including a branching narrative designed to provide 40 to 60 hours of gameplay. Players will engage in turn-based combat and recruit companions, with the game’s UI praised for its clarity and informativeness.
A Star-Studded Voice Cast
Much like Baldur’s Gate 3, Starfinder: Afterlight aims to shine through its companions, backed by an impressive voice cast. Fred Tatasciore voices Kole, Inel Tomlinson takes on Tycho, Melissa Medina portrays Lu-323, and James Alexander brings Sterling to life. Notably, Neil Newbon, a favorite from Baldur’s Gate 3, directs the voice recording sessions, ensuring the cast delivers their best performances. While Newbon isn’t currently voicing a character, his involvement is a testament to the project’s ambition.
“Companions can be romanced or upset, and they may abandon you if dissatisfied with your leadership,” said Albert Jane, highlighting the dynamic relationships players can expect.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
While Starfinder: Afterlight is currently a single-player experience, it is being developed using the Godot Engine, with an early access release planned for 2026 and a full launch in 2027. The Kickstarter campaign aims to ensure community involvement and additional funding for enhanced features. Despite the uncertainties often associated with crowdfunding, the preview suggests that the game has solid foundations, promising a compelling CRPG experience.
The Kickstarter initiative not only seeks financial support but also aims to place the community at the core of Epictellers Entertainment’s development process. The preview left a positive impression, suggesting that even the basic elements of the developers’ plans could deliver an engaging game.
As Starfinder: Afterlight targets an early access PC launch in 2026, it represents a bold step in bringing CRPGs to a cosmic setting. For fans of the genre, this is a title worth watching—and supporting through its Kickstarter campaign.
