StarRupture Early Access Review – Into the Fire

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Games like Satisfactory and Factorio have shown there’s a real appeal in spending many hours building and perfecting automated systems – I’m definitely one of the players who enjoys that, even if my attempts don’t always go as planned! And it’s clear there’s demand for this type of game, as we’ve already seen successful titles like Dyson Sphere Program, Captain of Industry, and Shapez 2. That’s why I was both curious and a little puzzled when Creepy Jar, the creators of the challenging survival game Green Hell, announced StarRupture.

This game lets you build and automate a base on a sci-fi planet, gathering resources and defending against alien creatures. It’s similar to Factorio in its overall idea, but played from a first-person perspective.

I’ve been playing the early access version of StarRupture since it launched on January 6th, and I’m starting to really get what this game is all about! It’s not perfect yet – there are definitely things the developers could improve – but it’s incredibly addictive. I just keep wanting to unlock the next thing and explore more of the planet. It really hits that ‘just one more run’ feeling!

Arcadia-7 is a planet in the Ruptura System with a dangerous problem: it periodically goes supernova. This means massive, fiery explosions sweep across the surface, destroying everything – a lesson I learned firsthand.

Arcadia-7 is a fascinating setting for this game. You take on the role of one of four convicts participating in the Argos Program, which involves landing on the planet with limited supplies to extract its resources. While the Claywood Corporation is present, your main goal is to fulfill orders for five other companies – Selenian Corp, Clever Robotics, Moon Energy, Griffits Blue Corp, and Future Health Solutions. By delivering items like Titanium Rods or Wolfram Wires, you’ll gain reputation with these companies. Increasing your standing with them unlocks various rewards.

While you could gather resources manually with a small mining laser, automation is key to success. Building an Ore Extractor that feeds into a Fabricator and Smelter is just the beginning. You’ll also need to build Orbital Launch Devices to complete orders, power everything with Solar Generators, collect resources to improve your base, and expand your living space to accommodate more equipment – all while managing hunger and thirst. Soon enough, you’ll be redesigning your rail system, adding connections, streamlining your production, and finding ways to deliver resources to corporations faster. Though the animations aren’t as detailed as in games like Satisfactory, there’s something strangely captivating about watching your automated machinery work efficiently.

Even in its early access form, StarRupture has a surprising amount to offer. You’ll not only be crafting increasingly complex materials like ceramics, rotors, and metal sheets, but also researching the recipes to make them. This requires gathering tons of resources and Data Points – which are also used to improve your relationships with corporations and unlock even more content. Keep in mind that you’ll also need to find blueprints for some items, and don’t expect to find everything you need close to where you start. Because of this, building multiple bases is crucial, especially since unexpected disasters are bound to happen.

Arcadia-7 is a planet in the Ruptura System with a dangerous quirk: it regularly goes supernova. This means massive waves of fire sweep across the surface, destroying everything in their path – something I experienced firsthand. Luckily, you can retrieve your belongings after you die, though they might be damaged. Because of this constant threat, building multiple shelters early on is crucial. While these supernovas are devastating, they also create opportunities – after each wave, you’ll find overheated equipment, but also new resources and meteorites to collect.

So, you know how I mentioned you play as one of four prisoners? Well, the other three aren’t just background noise – they’re still connected to my character and will pop up and talk sometimes. It’s cool getting little bits of their stories, but honestly, some of those conversations felt a little unfinished, like something was missing.

Exploring in StarRupture is key. If you move away from your base, you’ll find a Geoscanner and a free pistol. Once you unlock the map, the scanner lets you survey the area, revealing important locations. Be warned, though – using it also attracts aggressive alien creatures that will attack!

Although all the enemy types eventually fall in a similar way, I was surprised by how differently they behave. Some, like the leapers, attack relentlessly, while others explode and spread infection, or hang back and shoot projectiles. Dealing with a small number is manageable, but as they swarm, you’ll need powerful weapons – and those require a separate type of resource to obtain.

While Arcadia-7 doesn’t have a ton of places to explore yet, the locations it does have are intriguing – think strange, radioactive monoliths, abandoned bodies, and broken drones. It’s clear you’re not the first crew to visit, and it’s not hard to imagine what happened to those who came before. You’ll find clues in the form of datapads and audio logs that reveal a dark story about the planet and the ruthless decisions made by the corporation in charge.

While the story of StarRupture has some strong points, the characters are a bit of a mixed bag. You play as one of four convicts, and the other three occasionally offer their thoughts. Learning about their pasts can be interesting, but some of their interactions felt incomplete. I also noticed my own character would repeat one-liners, which became tiresome. Whether you enjoy this aspect will likely depend on your personal preference – some players might even like hearing their character make silly noises while eating! The voice acting itself isn’t terrible, and the AI assistant provides some genuinely funny moments.

It’s hard to say if StarRupture will ever be as good at complex automation as games like Satisfactory or Factorio, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s aiming for something different.

While there’s still room for improvement in StarRupture – which the developers plan to address in future updates – I’m really impressed by how much they’ve already included in this early access version. The game offers complex automation systems with plenty of opportunities to optimize, and that’s before you even start building defenses with turrets. You’ll also improve your character’s combat, stamina, and survival skills as you play, letting you equip LEMs for even more customization – things like extra health or faster weapon switching.

Creepy Jar has a solid foundation for its game. I only encountered one glitch – a floating bug, ironically – and the game ran smoothly with only minor stutters when saving. Performance will depend on your setup, of course, but the game also looks and sounds good, with beautiful visuals and a unique synth soundtrack.

It’s hard to say if StarRupture will ever be as good at complex automation as Satisfactory or Factorio, and honestly, it doesn’t need to be. What StarRupture does well is blend combat, exploration, and base building into a seamless experience, and if it can keep building on that, it could become a really strong alternative. If you’re a fan of first-person automation games and are looking for something new since Satisfactory, StarRupture is definitely worth a look.

This game was reviewed on PC.

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2026-01-06 15:15