Stars in the Trash Review
Summary: Stars in the Trash is not the game to play to finish. It is an experience to have and let is consume you with everything it has in store. Sometime the pacing goes out of place, yet the overall experience it gives is something magical.
4.5
A Beautiful Stray Experience
I’ve always found myself loving and caring for stray cats and dogs in the streets. Maybe I resonate with them that both of us are kind of lost in this world and have to attain a certain destination. Whatever the reason, among the back-breaking daily tasks of each day, I find myself petting and spending some time with these stray animals.
For that reason, playing Stars in the Trash was nothing less than a heartwarming and beautiful experience for me. Mostly drawn to it because of its art style and the narrative it wanted to show, but it surprised me with great gameplay mechanics as well.
Controlling a nameless cat that wants to go on an adventure outside the house, the movement and animations designed for this cat was extraordinarily smooth. It was so satisfying that even walking around the city was beautiful. Even though it gets dull at some point, the visual beauty of it makes it fun and enjoyable.
There is no denying that nostalgia played a big part in the satisfaction I received from playing the game. Growing up with classic Disney animations definitely had an influence on how much I felt excited to play this game. All the little details in animation design reminded me of the cheerful youthful days I spent watching those animations.
As I mentioned above, the gameplay was the most surprising thing for me. I didn’t expect the game to be challenging. It was a nice surprise and changed the pacing of the game in a good way. Not only that, but it also served the narrative of the game, which is something profound on its own.
Caring for stray cats and dogs is important. As beings that live the same as every other animal in nature, it is necessary to not hurt them if we cannot provide shelter and food. Same as every other creature that lives on this planet, they also went through tough times and as species that have higher intelligence, we have to understand and show empathy.
The fact that such a game has a deep and profound message behind it, makes it a worthy experience to have. To finish the game, enjoy its beauty, and leave the game with a profound effect on the player is something we don’t see that much.
One aspect of Stars in the Trash that I truly admired from start to finish was how everything shared the same design pattern. Everything is simple, yet has enough complexity to live the simplicity that comes from idleness. The simple art style that has complex beauty in it and the gameplay that is minimal but still gives players challenges to overcome.
Now, let’s not forget about the music. The visual beauty of this game is so mesmerizing that it will overshadow the quality of this game’s music. I would prefer to say that the game’s music is subtle and emerges above everything else in the right moment. That is why music in this game works so well. It is embraced by everything in the game and becomes whole with the game. Yet, if we remove it from the game, the empty space it leaves is greater than one could imagine.
The last thing I would point is that the game does a great job of balancing everything. The music, the visuals, the gameplay, and narrative comes together and makes a piece of art, an interactive symphony like no other to be experienced.
About the Author
S. Masoud Kazemi An admirer of art that doesn't stop talking about films and games.
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