Star Drifter

Released Jun 2016

Star Drifter is a super hard and hectic space shooter, inspired by classics such as R Type, Xenon, Galaxian, Moon Cresta and Gradius.

46% positive · 232 reviews

Done

All announced content has been released

High confidence

Done

All announced content has been released

High confidence

Where to buy

Steam Updated 12 Oct 2026 $1.99

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Evaluation

Star Drifter launched on June 1, 2016 as a self-contained, old-school arcade space shooter. The store description reads as a finished product pitch — it describes all features in present tense with no mention of planned updates, roadmaps, or future content. The only post-launch communication directly related to the game was a bug-fix patch on June 1, 2016 (version 1.12), which addressed performance issues reported at launch. There have been no major content updates, DLC releases, or post-launch content announcements at any point since launch. The only other developer post (April 11, 2017) was an announcement for an entirely separate game — Sol Ni Koro — a 3D RPG being developed by the same studio, with no mention of further Star Drifter content. There are no unreleased DLC listings. The game shipped as a complete, finished product and has received no content additions since its release date.

Evidence

Store description presents all game features as complete and final, with no mention of planned updates, DLC, or future content.

description source content shipped

medium

Developer post announcing a completely separate game (Sol Ni Koro), with no mention of any future Star Drifter content or updates.

news post · Apr 11, 2017 source ambiguous

low

Media

Details

Developer

Nostalgia Hound

Publisher

Back To Basics Gaming

Achievements

—

Platform

Windows

Controller

—

Steam Deck

Unsupported

Players

Single-player

Indie Action Casual Shoot 'Em Up

About this game

Features:

Level up your space pilot. Earn points by destroying enemies and surviving. Spend your points at the shop, upgrade your ship and equip a variety of defence and weapon systems.

A massive amount of randomly generated enemies, power ups, secret weapons and huge bosses.

Protect your ship! Exit your ship and attack the aliens while your shields are regenerating.

An awesome authentic chip sound track.

Disclaimer:

Star Drifter is a full screen action space shooter. You play with your keyboard. We have developed the game to feel like an old school arcade, hard, very hard, super punishing space shooter. The game is not easy and you will die a lot. Please take caution, if you're in the mood for something that will hold your hand or let you win, you're in the wrong place. Star Drifter is ideal for casual gamers that enjoy a real challenge. Prepare to be destroyed over and over again, lose your score and rage at the computer.

Thank you and good luck!
Dan and Martin.