Starbound and Terraria are two very popular 2D survival sandbox games. Even though these games might look alike, they have different features. This is why it is vital to know their differences and how they operate.
So, which is the better game between Starbound and Terraria? Terraria is the better game between the two. While these games have almost the same features and ratings, Terraria edges out Starbound in a few areas. For instance, in graphics, Terraria has better picture quality than Starbound. However, this doesn’t mean Starbound isn’t an ideal game. In fact, Starbound edges out Terraria in some areas; it is just that the latter is a better game overall.
You have probably already heard about Starbound and Terraria. These are popular 2D games that are very captivating. Therefore, you may wonder which is the better game.
Terraria slightly edges out Starbound. While Starbound has many exciting features, it is not the best game overall. This is because Terraria has outstanding features that give it an advantage over the former. To provide you with a better understanding of these two games, I will compare them based on features like graphics, genre, mining, and animation.
Graphics is one of the vital areas to consider when comparing two games. Between them, Starbound seems to have better game graphics. This is because it is the newer game between them and has superior graphics quality. However, it is far less pixelated than Terraria. It also comes with shading that naturally adds shadows and depth. This, in return, contributes to an excellent gaming experience.
Both Starbound and Terraria use 2D pixel display, meaning you shouldn’t expect a massive difference. You will see the 2D display in the foreground, objects, sprites, and the background. You will also notice some similarities in the game’s art and design styles. In Starbound, this can be attributed to one of the game’s leading artists. This is the same artist that has also worked with Terraria.
Another area to compare these two games is genre. While it is impossible to compare the genres of these two games, it is essential to know what they are all about. Sci-Fi and Fantasy are two very different genres. While Starbound is categorized under sci-fi, Terraria is categorized under fantasy. In Starbound, gamers travel through space.
While doing so, you will interact with various alien races in your travels. In Terraria, gamers fight evil using magic spells. However, the way a gamer plays depends on their fighting style. This means that the ideal genre depends on a gamer’s preference. Therefore, if a gamer likes Sci-Fi, Starbound could be his perfect game and vice versa.
The Terraria storyline lacks an official headliner, something that some players find ideal because they want can dive into the content. On the other hand, Starbound has a specific storyline that must end before the gaming experience is over. If you have played Skyrim, you will notice that the two have a similar storyline.
Mining is another excellent aspect to consider when comparing these two games. In gaming, mining is vital because you can gather crafting materials in both games. Between the two games, Terraria is easier to mine. When you upgrade your pickaxe in Terraria, you increase the mining speed. By doing so, you also increase your power, mined minerals, and overall damage.
Contrary to this, mining in Starbound is much slower at first. When you start mining in Starbound, you can only extract one block at a time at a prolonged rate. However, once you upgrade your Matter Manipulator, mining becomes faster and more efficient.
It even sounds cooler than a pickaxe. With this setup, you will start attracting one block at a time. It is also essential to compare animation between the two games. Generally, 2D games tend to have a straightforward animation.
Starbound and Terraria are not different from this. While they might be straightforward, the animation in both games is captivating. The animation is as best as it can be for 2D games from the excellent quality images.
While these games’ animation is almost similar, Starbound’s animation seems to edge out Terraria’s. In terms of complexity, Starbound is also a step ahead of Terraria. The reason behind this is that Starbound is a newer game than Terraria. This game also runs on a custom game engine that makes it unique. The presence of a custom game engine is crucial, especially for those gamers that prefer mining.
In terms of combat, both Starbound and Terraria fall under the genre of action games. In Starbound, combat was designed with a particular strategy in mind. When playing this game, gamers should know when to damage the enemy or block systematic attacks from the enemy.
Contrary to this, Terraria is more attack-oriented. There is a special strategy that is involved in dodging possible attacks. However, there is known blocking that is usually found in Starbound. Some experts urge that with the exception of turn-based combat, there is little liability for 2D combat.
Compared to 3D display, 2D just doesn’t deliver reliable videos that are realistic and believable. This means that when it comes to action, both Terraria and Starbound don’t have unique features. Their 2D video display doesn’t bring out the effectiveness of a good gaming experience involving combat fighting.
Crafting is also an excellent area to compare these two games. When it is time to craft, a player’s mining skills are vital. A gamer will use the mined materials to create equipment and other weapons of distraction. In Starbound, gamers must craft most of their weapons and armor.
When monsters drop their gear, it is replaced by materials you cannot prepare. In addition, bosses also don’t drop gear. Instead, they drop a wide range of items that can improve a gamer’s star maps. These items can also unlock new locations.
On the other hand, when playing Terraria, you can craft gear no matter the stage you are on. Unlike Starbound, there are other means of getting gear. Bosses tend to drop weapons and armor that they cannot get through crafting. When you get an armor drop, you upgrade your weapon automatically.
Some gamers are also interested in knowing the difficulty levels of these two games. To start, Terraria has two levels of game difficulty. These are the world and character. The character has three distinct levels; softcore, medium core, and hardcore.
These levels play an essential role in determining what happens upon a character’s death. When a gamer dies in softcore, they drop about half of their coins. In medium core, they tend to lose all of their items. In hardcore, a player is permanently dead and cannot come back to life.
Besides the difficulty setting, gamers can set the world difficulty; which has the expert and normal option. In the expert mode, things are ramped up. This applies to monsters in the game and things that happen when a character dies.
For instance, in the expert softcore mode, a player will drop about 75% of their coin upon death. At this time, enemies can steal your valuables and get to use them in the game. Starbound has a similar game difficulty setting; the only difference is that it affects the gamer’s face.
The three modes you can apply are hardcore, survival, and casual. In the casual mode, a player can never get hungry. The only death penalty these players can get is a 10% loss of pixels. This is like the game’s main currency. When playing survival mode, gamers need to eat to survive.
Upon death, they will drop their items. They will also suffer a 30% pixels loss. The hardcore mode in Starbound is the same as that of Terraria — once a character dies, that is the end. In that case, you will have to restart the game.
In comparison, Terraria has a better combination of modes than Starbound. This means that gamers will enjoy a wide range of difficulty levels and choose one that suits them the most. This gives Terraria a slight advantage.
Terraria versus Stardew Valley: What’s the Difference?
Terraria and Stardew Valley are two exciting video games with some similar features. In fact, these two games have a similar storyline that some gamers find it difficult to tell the difference. However, it is vital to tell the difference between them for a better gaming experience.
While Terraria is a 2D platformer RPG with a strong emphasis on combat and movement, Stardew has a more straightforward design that focuses on defense. There are several classes that demand gamers to wear unique gowns while gaming.
Unlike Terraria, Stardew is a farming game where gamers focus on their farms and establish a good relationship with other town residents. This section discusses the differences between Terraria and Stardew Valley for you to know how they operate.
Terraria is an excellent game that gives gamers different alternatives for playing. Furthermore, gamers can choose to be in different classes in the same game. For instance, you can choose to be in a class such as Warrior, which is hand combat.
Alternatively, you can choose Mage, which relies on weapons that need mana. Some gamers also go for Ranged, which involves weapons such as guns and bows. As the game progresses, you start getting better items you can use to defend yourself.
Terraria has two world biomes, which a player can only get in the world they make. These are also referred to as crimson or corruption. From this, you can tell that these worlds can differ from each other. Some of the other ways include specific items that you can find in worlds with different dropping chances.
From this, you can tell that Terraria is a linear game with a unique variation. There are also several dedicated Terraria servers that make it a unique gaming experience. You can choose to play the game online and face other gamers across the world or play it with your friend. With Terraria, you will enjoy a wide range of game modes that make it quite captivating.
On the other hand, Stardew Valley is a game that revolves around farming. Gamers have to focus on their farming activities and establish a good relationship with those in society. The game’s style is set on a farm. It sets different tasks for you to complete over the cause of the game.
For instance, you could be instructed to go check a scene of the crime within the town center. Stardew is generally liner in the eyes than Terraria. This means that the latter has a better gaming experience with more advanced features. The game basically tells you what to do, with no proper direction on the next move.
How Much Is Terraria Worth?
Terraria is an exciting 2D game that is incredibly exciting to play. However, this game comes with additional features that enhance its gameplay. Given its high-quality standards, some gamers wonder how much it costs.
The cost of the Terraria game on Steam is $9.99. This is quite affordable, given the standards of the game. It has a captivating storyline that will leave you intrigued from start to finish. It also has remarkable graphics that make it more realistic.
Indie Games is the company behind the production of Terraria. When this game was launched, Indie games were fast gaining popularity thanks to Steam and Xbox Live Arcade. The standard price of this product had moved up from $5 to around $10 in recent years. Some shopping outlets charge $15 for this incredible product. This means that Terraria’s price of $10 on Steam is highly reasonable, which most gamers find affordable.
The introduction of updates in the game led to the fluctuation of prices. For instance, in 2013, Terraria added a hard mode that led to an increase in demand. This resulted in the cost of the game increasing slightly.
Wrap Up
Given that Starbound and Terraria are two games with lots in common, it can be challenging to compare them. However, Terraria has slightly better features than Starbound. This means gamers will find Terraria more captivating and exciting. Nonetheless, Starbound has better game graphics than Terraria. The reason behind this is that Starbound was released more recently.
Some gamers also compare Stardew Valley and Terraria. The truth is, these two games are totally different. While Terraria revolves around combat and lots of fighting, Stardew Valley revolves around farming. This game is also set in a farm environment where gamers are supposed to initiate a good relationship with others.
