Afterlight, the upcoming Baldur's Gate 3-like CRPG?

It was not difficult to predict Baldur's Gate 3 The upcoming of CRPG developers and epitellers around the world Starfinder: Afterlight This is an early example. As Epitellers first video game, Starfinder: Afterlight follows a somewhat similar formula to the development process of Baldur's Gate 3.

opposite Baldur's Gate 3but, Starfinder: Afterlight Definitely science-fiction. The name may sound familiar to some tabletop RPG fans, eg Starfinder Actually a TTRPG released by Paizo in 2017, after the same company Pathfinder. But while Pathfinder has received many video game adaptations over the years, Afterlight will be the first video game based on Starfinder Myths. Naturally, expectations are high Starfinder: Afterlight's success, as it promises to offer a unique take on the traditionally high-fantasy CRPG space. Afterlight Having raised nearly $1 million USD via Kickstarter, at the time of this writing, it has blown far beyond its initial $88,000 goal and indicates a significant level of audience hype.

What about Starfinder: Afterlight?

The Starfinder role playing game Blends science fiction and fantasy to create a world defined by magic and technology. It's very obviously inspired by a number of blockbuster science-adventure franchises, but is its most obvious influence. Guardians of the Galaxyfrom which it borrows many design, tone, and lore elements. decisively, Starfinder As it takes place in the universe PathfinderAlthough in the distant future. This continuity manifests itself in many ways, such as through PathfinderFantasy races appear Starfinder.

in StarfinderThe Pathfinder The home planet Golarion is mysteriously lost in an inexplicable event called the Gap. It is used as a world building reference in TTRPG, but hardly Starfinder: Afterlight Will offer interesting revelations about the gap.

This combination of D&D-esque fantasy staples and contemporary space opera conventions Starfinder A brand new setting, where magic and elves rub against FTL travel, spaceships, and blaster pistols. Starfinder: Afterlight's actual plot is a bit murky at the moment, but it seems to revolve around an encroaching darkness called the Afterlight, which threatens to destroy the galaxy — unless the player and their motley crew can stop it, of course.

Starfinder: Friends of the Afterlight

Companion characters are important in most RPGs, but they're absolutely essential in CRPGs, especially those looking to dabble in TTRPG magic. Like its plot, Starfinder: AfterlightThe main cast is still somewhat of a mystery, but five of the six have been revealed via the trailer and the Kickstarter campaign page:

party member	the actor	the ancestor	Classes and subclasses	Background	home world
Cole Striker	Fred Tatasciore	Vesk	Solder (Action Hero)	the soldier	Vesk Prime
Tycho	Inel Tomlinson	Yosoki	operative (infiltrator)	scientist	Akiton
Propagation and larvae	Neil Newbone	Shiren	mystic (healer)	Raised by faith	Castrovale
LU-323	Melissa Medina	Android	Ambassador (in the spotlight)	Corporate Agent	unknown
Sterling	James Alexander	Human boredom	Solarian	steward	Verses

Starfinder: Afterlight There's also a promising cast, with stars such as Neil Newbone (Astarion), who voices Pritch, and Roger Clarke (Arthur Morgan), who plays the narrator. Newbon has also come aboard the Epitellers team as a voice acting director, which the studio has described as invaluable.

Is there romance in Starfinder: Afterlight?

In proper CRPG fashion, Starfinder: Afterlight According to Epictellers, there will indeed be romance options, allowing players to progress through romantic subplots with each and every party member, “as well as a few surprises”. It's not entirely clear how these romances will play out — and if they'll feature the same steamy cutscenes as Baldur's Gate 3But Epictellers have confirmed its existence, at least.

How similar is Starfinder: Afterlight to Baldur's Gate 3?

Comparing it to the upcoming CRPG Baldur's Gate 3 Easy, but how applicable is it in this situation? Well, for one thing, the Epitellers are directly quoted Baldur's Gate 3 As inspiration in the past, but there are design elements that also parallel Larian's seminal RPG. There are basic similarities, such as isometric perspective, but more distinctive features:

D20-based check system
“Story” and “Strategic” difficulties
Optional companion characters
Official mode support

like Baldur's Gate 3, Starfinder: Afterlight It will feature a turn-based combat system with integrated movement, although it will use the famous three-action system. Pathfinder Second edition– Most of the time StarfinderThe rules of are copied directly Pathfinder 2e. The three-action system is exactly what it sounds like: during their turn, players can perform three actions, whether it's a combination of three attacks, one movement and two attacks, etc. Some actions take more than a single action point, though.

Unfortunately, Epictellers already confirmed it Starfinder: Afterlight There will be no multiplayer.

Many TTRPG enthusiasts argue that the three-action system is much better Dungeons and Dragons 5e Work economy, which is used Baldur's Gate 3So that distinction, at least, is promising. At the same time, something Baldur's Gate 3 Can be turned off by fans Starfinder: Afterlightcel-shaded art style and a more upbeat, light tone. The game is still early in development and is slated to launch into Early Access in 2026, so it will be interesting to see how it continues to evolve.