Fantasy RPGs have dominated the conversation in recent years, thanks in large part to the massive success of Baldur's Gate 3. Meanwhile, the sci-fi side of the genre has felt comparatively quiet, with fans of games like Mass Effect left waiting for the next big single-player space opera. If you enjoy both deep party-based role-playing and rich interstellar narratives, Starfinder: Afterlight might be exactly what you have been hoping for. The upcoming title from first-time studio Epictellers Entertainment combines the two genres in a science-fantasy setting and is currently offering a public playtest on Steam that runs until April 5, 2026.
Starfinder: Afterlight is built on the Starfinder tabletop RPG, itself a spin-off of the popular Pathfinder system. While Pathfinder stays firmly in traditional high-fantasy territory, Starfinder pushes into space with a blend of advanced technology, alien species, and cosmic-scale adventures. Think Spelljammer-style fantasy in space, but with a heavier emphasis on hard sci-fi elements like starships, advanced weaponry, and interstellar politics. The video game adaptation promises a party-based experience where you recruit and manage six companions, each with their own personal stories, moral dilemmas, and evolving relationships that can influence the fate of the galaxy. Player choices matter, and the narrative branches in ways that should feel familiar to fans of both Baldur's Gate 3 and the Mass Effect trilogy.
Combat in the game leans closer to Baldur's Gate 3 than the real-time shooting of Mass Effect, using a turn-based system rooted in the tabletop rules. You will command your party in tactical encounters that reward positioning, ability synergy, and smart use of the environment. The game emphasizes exploration across multiple worlds, ship customization, and the kind of meaningful decision-making that defines the best RPGs. Early impressions from the ongoing playtest suggest the team is aiming for a balance between epic space opera storytelling and the intimate character moments that make party-based RPGs so compelling.
The current public playtest on Steam is limited to 1,000 selected participants, but it is still providing valuable feedback and impressions from the community. If you missed the initial sign-up window, there is still a request option available on the Steam page that will notify you when more slots open. Epictellers has indicated that additional playtests are likely as development continues, so there should be more opportunities to try the game before its full 2026 release. Late pledges for the Kickstarter campaign are also open until the end of March, offering another way for interested players to get involved and support the project.
This is the debut title from Epictellers Entertainment, a studio that includes former developers from Crytek, the team behind the Crysis series. That background brings valuable experience in creating immersive worlds and high-fidelity visuals, which should translate well to Starfinder’s science-fantasy setting. The game is being built with the ambition of delivering a rich, reactive narrative experience that respects the source material while making it accessible to video game audiences.
For Baldur's Gate 3 fans, the party management, turn-based combat, and emphasis on meaningful choices will feel comfortingly familiar. For Mass Effect enthusiasts, the interstellar setting, ship-based travel, and galaxy-spanning stakes should scratch a similar itch. The blend of fantasy and sci-fi elements gives Starfinder: Afterlight a unique identity that sets it apart from more traditional entries in either genre. Early footage and playtest feedback highlight strong character writing, satisfying tactical combat, and a world that feels alive with possibility.
The playtest period is an excellent chance for the studio to gather player input and refine the experience before the full launch. If you enjoy RPGs that let you shape your party’s destiny through dialogue, exploration, and combat strategy, this is one to keep on your radar. The combination of deep storytelling, tactical gameplay, and a science-fantasy universe has the potential to appeal to fans of both Baldur's Gate 3 and Mass Effect while carving out its own space in the genre.
With the playtest running now and the full release planned for 2026, Starfinder: Afterlight is shaping up to be one of the more interesting RPGs on the horizon. Whether you are a longtime Starfinder tabletop player or someone new to the universe, the game offers an accessible way to experience its rich setting through a single-player campaign focused on character-driven adventure. The current beta gives you a risk-free way to see if the blend of party-based RPG mechanics and sci-fi exploration clicks with you.
If you have not signed up yet, head to the Steam page and request access for future playtests. Late Kickstarter pledges are also available until the end of the month for those who want to support the project directly. The Digital World is vast, the crew is waiting to be assembled, and the stars are calling. Starfinder: Afterlight looks ready to deliver the kind of immersive, choice-driven adventure that makes RPGs so special. Keep an eye on this one. The journey into the unknown is about to begin.