Tangleroots, the independent studio based in Sweden, has officially pulled back the curtain on Starmax — an inventive sci-fi roguelike that reimagines the deck-building genre by trading cards for tokens and decks for bags. The game is set to arrive on Steam for Windows and macOS in 2027, with the announcement trailer and Steam store page live right now.
A New Way to Build — From Deck to Bag
At its core, Starmax takes the familiar blueprint of a roguelike builder and turns it inside out. Instead of shuffling cards from a deck, you draw tokens from a bag — physical, tangible resources that double as workers, fighters, cargo, and fuel. Every turn you reach in, pull out what the galaxy gives you, and make the most of it.
- Shape your bag — boost, destroy, discover, and produce tokens to curate exactly what you draw
- Build your base — research blueprints, construct facilities, and chain buildings into powerful engines
- Two systems, one strategy — your bag and base don’t exist in isolation; tokens activate buildings and buildings modify tokens
- Ship cargo to win — gather valuable resources and launch them off-planet before your defences are overwhelmed
Three Factions, Three Distinct Styles
No two runs feel the same — and neither do three playable starting paths:
| Faction | Philosophy | Signature Strength |
|---|---|---|
| The Foundry | Industry & stability | Consistent production, heavy manufacturing, sturdy defences |
| The Wanderers | Discovery & adaptability | Token manipulation, high risk/high reward, exploration bonuses |
| The Covenant | Synergy & recursion | Looping effects, repeated value, building chains that never stop |
Each faction comes with its own unique starting bag, exclusive buildings, and specialised playstyle — so whether you prefer brute force, clever combos, or calculated risk, there’s a way to play that fits.
Planetside — Danger and Discovery Await
Your base sits on a hostile, procedurally generated world. Explore beyond your walls and you’ll encounter:
- Deserts, tundras, and jungles — each biome with distinct creatures, resources, and environmental hazards
- Evolving threats — the longer you stay, the more aggressive the planet becomes; you must balance expansion with a ticking clock
- Scavenge & ship — rare materials lie in dangerous zones; collect them, protect them, and launch cargo to secure your victory
- Roguelike progression — unlock permanent upgrades, new tokens, and advanced blueprints that persist across every run
From Sweden, With Strategy
Tangleroots, known for thoughtful mechanics and clean, inviting design, is self-publishing Starmax. The team describes the game as “a builder where luck is something you engineer — you can’t control what you draw, but you absolutely can control what goes into the bag in the first place.”
Price and system requirements have not yet been announced.
Wishlist Today
The Starmax Steam page is live right now — watch the trailer, explore the screenshots, and add it to your wishlist to be notified the moment it launches in 2027.
Ready to reach into the bag and see what the stars have in store?
More Info: Starmax
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