Stars In The Trash has recently been released, and it is a great game. From its hand-drawn art style to its gameplay, this cat has a lot going for it. In this review, we’ll discuss what the game does well, what it can improve upon, and help you decide whether or not it is worth the purchase.
The good
I really like the hand-drawn animations. It gives the game its own unique style and helps it stand out amongst the crowd. The animation is fluid and overall well done. It helps give the game a little more charm and was honestly a delight to see throughout the playthrough.
The music is good too. There’s a wide tone in the music that helps establish the mood of each scene. In the house scenes, it’s calm and light-hearted. On the flip side, the music grows dramatically when the kennel man is chasing Moka, our feline protagonist. It’s a small touch, but it really helped amplify the mood all throughout the story.
The plot and characters overall are good. While the plot is simple, it’s a cute story about friendship and loss. The game genuinely made me sad, but the ending is quite satisfying. It’s nothing groundbreaking, and there are definitely issues with the plot that I will discuss later, but I really enjoyed the game’s narrative.
The gameplay is also great. The controls are responsive and the gameplay itself is fluid. There are several actions that players can perform, such as jumping, crawling, and punching. Different sections of the game also change up the gameplay, most notably with the climbing section at the bell tower. For the most part, it all feels great. The only problem I have is punching, as hitting your target (especially buttons) can be hard. Other than that, though, I enjoyed the variety in gameplay. From stealth to action to platforming, there is a nice variety in what the gameplay has to offer.
The bad
A lot of my issues are minor and really aren’t dealbreakers. That said, discussing what the game can improve upon is still important. First of all, the price is a little too high for my liking. There isn’t much to the game, and for $12 I feel like it’s a steep price to pay. The price would be justified if the game had a little more content. As it stands, however, I don’t think the game is completely worth its value.
While I like the story and characters, it has a few issues. The main issue is the overall lack of development. The characters don’t get much time in the spotlight due to the game’s length. There is also an entire character that gets introduced that doesn’t make much sense. Who is this cat? I have no idea. I see the idea they were going for, but I think the story needed to be longer to execute it. Moka never even meets the cat before the ending, so showing Moka being introduced to the little cat would have been a better way to establish the character.
My main problem with the game, however, is the length. It is way too short. The game is broken up into nine parts, which includes the epilogue, and you can beat it in about an hour. There are no other side modes for players to enjoy, it’s just the main story, and while the main story is good, I don’t know if the length fully justifies the price. I think adding more content to the game, whether it be a silly side mode or even a few more scenarios in the story could help flesh it out and make it more worthwhile.
Summary
Stars in the Trash is a great game. It controls well, it has a fantastic art style, and it has good music. On top of that, the story is gripping and emotional, and it all comes together in one nice package. Unfortunately, the game has some issues, namely plot inconsistencies, price, and length. That said, I think these issues are minor and don’t hinder the game too much. If you’re willing to shell out the $12 the game costs, I highly suggest checking it out. It’s a fun, short story that I believe everyone can find enjoyment in.
Stars in the Trash is available now on Steam and Nintendo Switch.
The Review
Stars In The Trash
Great
