The Unbeatable Review

The Invincible by Starward Industries offers a refreshing departure from the typical space-themed games featuring aliens and flashy technology. Inspired by Stanislaw Lem's novel, this debut narrative thriller explores the possibilities and implications of humanity's journey into space. While the game boasts stunning visuals, it is not without its flaws, including technical issues and some unnecessary elements.

One aspect that distinguishes The Invincible is its slow-paced narrative-focused gameplay, which may divide players. Instead of offering extensive gameplay mechanics, the game encourages players to immerse themselves in the story. While this shift away from violence in video games is commendable, it comes at the expense of puzzle-solving, resulting in a roughly seven-hour experience that primarily involves clicking, communicating via comms, making decisions, and traversing the surface of Regis III. Despite the game's polished appearance, it possesses the essence of a relaxed independent interactive fiction game, which players should keep in mind.

Luckily, The Invincible compensates for the absence of rigorous gameplay mechanics by prioritizing its narrative and ensuring the portrayal of vibrant and likable characters. As previously mentioned, Starward's The Invincible loosely adapts Stanislaw Lem's novel of the same name. However, while Lem's original work directly explores themes of humanity's relationship with technology and our position in the universe in a more explicit, hard science fiction manner, Starward's adaptation takes a more intellectual approach to the central mystery of the story. It remains a thoroughly gripping thriller that may unsettle some, but it is certainly within the grasp of general audiences.

The story centers around Yasna, a biologist who suffers from amnesia, who finds herself on the distant planet Regis III after a mission went wrong and she got separated from her crew. As she tries to communicate with her team, she realizes that only Novik, the Astrogator, is responsive. Now, Yasna must uncover what happened to her team and find a safe way to leave Regis III.

As the plot progresses, Yasna and Novik make a surprising discovery about Regis III, something beyond their expectations, but in a style reminiscent of 1960s hard science fiction. Fans of speculative biology will particularly enjoy this unexpected twist, as it adds an interesting element to the typical sci-fi thriller narrative.

The Invincible's narrative is thematically coherent and skillfully written, prompting players to reconsider humanity's role in the universe as more than just conquerors. The game also presents several moral considerations that vary depending on the player's choices.

Starward's depiction of the main characters is deserving of high praise, particularly in the case of Yasna. She is a delightful protagonist and one of the most charming characters of the year. Her dialogue adds a sense of wonder and exploration to the story, effectively showcasing her as a carefree biologist who may have underestimated the challenges of her mission. However, players have the option to shape her into a more cynical and self-centered individual through their dialogue choices. On the other hand, Novik serves as a compelling foil to Yasna, frequently challenging her motives and observations as they both navigate the mysteries of Regis III. The game offers ample decision-making opportunities for players to determine how these characters interact and grow throughout the narrative. Regardless of the choices made, these sequences feel authentic and grounded due to the skillful writing.

It is also easy to become engrossed in the world of The Invincible, thanks in part to the visually stunning environment of Regis III. Despite having a smaller budget and team, The Invincible delivers impressive graphics that exceed its expectations. Regis III is both foreboding and breathtaking, featuring dust storms that engulf the landscape in particle effects, as well as picturesque sunrises that enhance the sandy cliffs and dunes with perfectly placed lighting. The combination of the game's first-person perspective and the awe-inspiring landscapes of Regis III immerse players in a way that effortlessly captivates them.

The Invincible had a few technical issues that significantly disrupted its immersive experience. Although some animation problems can be overlooked, the lack of manual saves and reliance on distant checkpoints is a major oversight. While the game doesn't have a fail state that forces players to revisit checkpoints, it can be frustrating to have to replay the last fifteen to twenty minutes of dialogue and exploration just to catch up to where players initially wanted to stop. This issue is especially troublesome in the open areas where players can freely explore in the rover vehicle but cannot save their progress until reaching a predetermined checkpoint. What's most aggravating is when the game encounters bugs, such as the Detector tool malfunctioning, resulting in the need to reload a save and losing significant progress. While it may appear trivial on paper, the constant need to consider when it's safe to stop playing or risk losing progress in a game that requires substantial stationary moments and dialogue can lead to frustration.

Upon reflection of The Invincible as a whole, there remains a lingering sense that Starward could have further explored the game and its premise, or alternatively, trimmed down the available content to create a more focused experience. A dichotomy emerges, where the most captivating moments of The Invincible reside within its narrative sequences, where players have no agency, only to be abruptly transitioned into gameplay segments that feel like extraneous filler material. As a game that aims for a streamlined approach to gameplay, The Invincible at times struggles to make the player's interactive moments feel truly valuable.

Furthermore, while the crucial decision-making sequences within the main storyline held significance, it was evident that the more minor choices often led to the same outcomes, resulting in the ending being the only aspect that was noticeably altered based on player decisions. Balancing these aspects in the game's design, The Invincible occasionally fell victim to an overly grandiose approach, which compromised the otherwise well-crafted and tightly-paced nature of the game.

However, in spite of a few technical glitches, issues with checkpoints, and the realization that perhaps aiming for such a expansive scope in an intimate game wasn't the wisest decision, The Invincible remains a highly enjoyable experience. It successfully brings a '60s science fiction novel to life, catering to those who have a passion for intricacies of hard science and an appreciation for the retro sci-fi aesthetic. More casual players will still find plenty to enjoy, although it is important for them to understand that this game focuses on immersing oneself in a world driven by storytelling rather than following the typical space-faring adventure formula. Once The Invincible captivates players, it offers a thrilling, thought-provoking narrative experience that is well worth the journey.

The Invincible: A captivating narrative awaits

Unveiling a compelling world inspired by Stanislaw Lem's remarkable hard science fiction, The Invincible embarks players on an enthralling adventure. Assume the role of Yasna as you venture into the mysterious Regis III, employing an array of innovative tools to uncover the whereabouts of your vanishing crew. Brace yourself for unexpected perils as you navigate through this immersive journey.

Pros An engaging story with realistic characters

Beautiful design

Cons Some sections feel superfluous

Unreliable checkpoint system

The Invincible is available November 6, 2023, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Our website was provided a PC code for the purposes of this review.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am excited to see a game like The Invincible that offers a unique and thought-provoking experience. I appreciate the game's focus on narrative and character development, as these elements are often overlooked in favor of action and gameplay mechanics. The game's visuals are also stunning, and the world of Regis III is both alien and inviting.

However, I do have some concerns about the game's pacing and gameplay. The game is very slow-paced, and there are long periods of time where the player is simply walking around and talking to other characters. This can be frustrating for players who are looking for a more action-packed experience. Additionally, the game's puzzles are often too easy, and they do not provide much of a challenge.

Overall, I enjoyed my time with The Invincible, and I would recommend it to fans of narrative-driven games. However, I would caution players who are looking for a more action-packed experience to look elsewhere.