Fans of turn-based RPGs like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 may find a new contender in Starfinder: Afterlight. This upcoming computer role-playing game draws from Paizo’s Starfinder tabletop system, blending magic and lasers in a futuristic setting. Its successful Kickstarter campaign signals strong interest in this first video game adaptation of the sci-fi universe.
Starfinder: Afterlight marks the debut computer role-playing game based on Paizo’s Starfinder tabletop RPG, released in 2017 as a sci-fi extension of the Pathfinder fantasy world. Set in the intergalactic expanse of Golarion, the game combines elements reminiscent of Star Wars and Warhammer 40K, adapted into turn-based mechanics. Developers Epictellers Entertainment describe it as “Divinity: Original Sin meets Guardians of the Galaxy,” where “magic and lasers collide.”
The project launched on Kickstarter in November 2025, surpassing its funding goal by more than ten times, reflecting enthusiasm among sci-fi RPG enthusiasts. Players can customize characters using Starfinder’s second-edition ancestries and classes, engaging in combat via a three-turn action economy true to the tabletop rules. The narrative emphasizes player choice, offering over 100 branching story paths that influence outcomes.
Full voice acting, directed by Neil Newbon—known for voicing Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3—adds depth to the experience. While a full release date remains unannounced, early access is slated for the second quarter of 2026 on PC via Steam, where pre-alpha footage showcases colorful, comicbook-inspired visuals. The Kickstarter remains open for late pledges, providing beta access opportunities.
This adaptation follows successful video game translations of similar tabletop systems, such as Owlcat Games’ Pathfinder: Kingmaker and Wrath of the Righteous. Starfinder: Afterlight could pave the way for more CRPGs in Paizo’s sci-fi universe, filling a gap in the genre dominated by fantasy titles.
