For a long time, I was obsessed with the idea of creating my own masterpiece. It wasn’t just about making something great, I felt compelled to leave a mark on the world. My fear of death fueled this desire, pushing me to create a legacy, inspired by the filmmakers and playwrights I admired. Though that intense feeling faded with time, it morphed into a constant imposter syndrome that still lingers. There are moments when I question the quality of my writing or music, and at other times, bitterness sets in when a work I’m proud of doesn’t receive the recognition I hoped for. It’s a vicious cycle, a constant battle I struggle to escape.
This might seem like an odd way to introduce *Starstruck: Hands of Time*, a new PC game that initially appears as a quirky adventure inspired by games like *Earthbound*, *Guitar Hero*, and *Katamari Damacy*. While that’s true on the surface, this avant-garde game hides a darker, more unsettling truth beneath its playful facade. It’s a slow, simmering anxiety attack, one that makes it one of the most unexpectedly powerful games of 2024.
*Starstruck: Hands of Time* begins in a lighthearted manner. An astronaut travels back in time after a mysterious mold consumes the Earth of the future. With the help of their cheerful robotic companion, they journey to the past to uncover the source of this sludge. Their quest leads them to a seemingly ordinary town inhabited by an optimistic young boy named Edwin. This seemingly normal start marks the beginning of a wild, four-hour odyssey that takes unexpected turns.
The early stages of the game establish a charming suburban adventure centered around Edwin, a budding guitarist, aiming for stardom in his hometown. His first mission is to perform at a local venue with his friends. This sweet start immediately evokes memories of *Earthbound*, a classic RPG that has become a significant touchstone for indie developers in recent years. It’s no surprise, as *Earthbound* is one of the few games that truly understands the struggles young people face in everyday life. *Starstruck* directly references this influence through its characters, which are displayed as handmade clay models, reminiscent of the physical figures used in *Earthbound*’s original marketing materials.
As *Starstruck* develops its narrative, it becomes increasingly lighthearted. When reaching the venue for his show, the player is introduced to a *Guitar Hero*-style rhythm game, allowing them to play along to songs. Though the minigame suffers from some clunky guitar riffs and less-than-perfect controller integration, it’s another playful nod to a specific time and place. It transports the player back to the days of being a young adult, wondering when life will begin in between *Freebird* solos.
*Starstruck* doesn’t reveal all its gameplay cards immediately. When Edwin faces trouble entering the venue, the astronaut observing him intervenes by sending their hand down to Earth. In a minigame reminiscent of *Katamari Damacy*, the player needs to smash as much stuff as possible around town to summon a hammer that can break open the fence surrounding the venue. It’s a visually bizarre experience but one that’s filled with a familiar youthful energy.
Things take a much darker turn from there. Only around the halfway point, after playing through these minigames and meeting a few friends, does *Starstruck* reveal its true intentions. Edwin and his friends begin to express their anxieties, revealing deep identity issues. One character struggles with imposter syndrome concerning her music, while another desperately seeks attention and recognition for their work. As these feelings surface, the game itself starts to unravel.
It’s impossible to describe what unfolds in the latter half of *Starstruck*. You’ll have to experience it firsthand to fully grasp the overwhelming sense of panic. The cute adventure veers into eldritch horror territory as each character succumbs to their anxieties. The cheerful visuals give way to avant-garde eeriness, reminiscent of the striking mid-season shift in direction in *Neon Genesis Evangelion*. As these characters delve deeper into their minds, wishing they could be anywhere but where they are in life, they drift farther away from Earth. There’s nothing but darkness waiting for them in the void. It slowly consumes the entire adventure, like a snake swallowing its own tail.
If all this sounds like a confusing mess, it is at times. *Starstruck* takes some daring risks that don’t always land cleanly. Its personal story takes several detours to showcase the history of art theft, delve into the history of the Roman Empire, revisit the moon landing, and more. The gameplay can also feel unfocused as it jumps between ideas at a rapid pace. It’s confusing but effective too. *Starstruck* feels like a mental breakdown in motion, a throbbing brain struggling to maintain focus as it spirals deeper and deeper into philosophical despair.
Despite its outlandishness, *Starstruck* tells a relatable story that lingers long after the credits roll. I see myself in its insecure heroes, desperate to be the center of the universe only to find themselves alone in the cold vacuum of space. Perhaps we take for granted the miracle of being part of a community here on Earth.
*Starstruck: Hands of Time* is available now on PC.
