Fresh off Baldur’s Gate 3’s massive success, D&D’s competitor is stepping up its game: Starfinder: Afterlight dives into a sci-fi universe and even secured Neil Newbon (Astarion) as a consultant. Epictellers Entertainment’s debut project is shaping up with big ambitions and will soon launch on Kickstarter.

Isometric RPGs have always had a niche following, but Baldur’s Gate 3 proved the genre can capture the mainstream. Now comes Starfinder: Afterlight, a new entry that emphasizes storytelling and character development above all. The game, still in active development, already involves respected industry names and is preparing a crowdfunding campaign to bring it to life.

Based on the second edition of Starfinder, the space-faring spin-off of the Pathfinder tabletop system, the story begins when your ship’s captain disappears. To stave off an oncoming apocalypse, you’ll need to gather six companions. True to classic CRPG design, expect branching dialogues, consequential choices, and turn-based combat in an isometric view, with six distinct classes to choose from at the start of the journey.

Companions Are the Heart of Starfinder: Afterlight

One of the project’s most striking aspects is its emphasis on companions. They’re not just allies in combat but the emotional and narrative backbone of the adventure. To strengthen this focus, Epictellers brought on Neil Newbon, the voice of Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3, as a mentor for the team. The voice cast also features heavy hitters like Fred Tatasciore (Overwatch) and Inel Tomilson (Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2).

Another unique element is the approach to dialogue. Instead of following a rigid script, voice actors are encouraged to improvise, aiming to replicate the spontaneity of tabletop role-playing sessions. According to the developers, this will make characters feel more alive and natural, bridging the gap between digital RPGs and the paper-and-dice experience.

Starfinder: Afterlight does not yet have a release date, but its Kickstarter campaign is scheduled to launch soon. Developers also teased the addition of a well-known actress to the cast, which could boost the project’s visibility. For now, interested players can add it to their Steam wishlist.

Source: MeinMMO