Starfinder: Afterlight, a CRPG based on one of my favourite systems that pulled in almost $1 million on Kickstarter, is starting to look ship-shape

Starfinder: Afterlight, a CRPG set in the Pathfinder 2e universe, has released an official demo on Steam following a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised nearly $960,000. The game features narration by Roger Clark, known for voicing Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption, and voice direction by Neil Newbon, who voices an insect priest character in the demo. The project has drawn attention for its ambitious scope and financial backing, positioning it as a notable entry in the CRPG genre. The demo provides a first look at the game’s mechanics and presentation, though it remains a work in progress.

The demo reveals a linear experience with limited exploration, structured as a series of connected hallways and story segments. Players control a character named Khali, who crash-lands on the planet Akiton after a five-year time jump, setting up the game’s narrative foundation. The demo introduces Neil Newbon’s character, a peppy bug priest with a baby, which has been praised for its charm and character design. While the demo is rough around the edges, it offers a glimpse into the game’s space-swashbuckling tone and aesthetic direction.

Performance issues persist in the demo, including choppy animations, lack of graphical settings, and framerate problems, though the game’s visual style and character portraits have been noted as impressive for a studio of its size. The user interface has seen significant improvements, with organized icons and nested tooltips catering to min-maxers. Combat is functional but simplistic in the demo, tied to low-level play, and the game’s three-action system from Pathfinder 2e is present but may require better tutorials for newcomers.

The demo’s improvements since an earlier playtest in March suggest steady progress, though challenges remain in polish and accessibility. The game’s linear structure and limited customization options, including only three pre-made characters, highlight areas needing refinement. Despite these hurdles, the project’s financial success and creative team have generated cautious optimism about its potential to deliver a polished CRPG by its 2026 release.