Starminer
Starminer launches in Early Access on May 27, 2026 on PC. Developed and published by CoolAndGoodGames, it’s a space mining and fleet-building sandbox where your profit motive is basically a beacon for trouble. You design ships and stations module by module, strip asteroids for valuable materials, then decide whether those resources become cash or become the backbone of a bigger, meaner operation. The catch is heat: the more you mine and build, the more you get noticed, and eventually the aliens show up to take what you’ve been hoarding.
DLC
No DLC announced at this time.
Editions – what’s included
No special editions confirmed at this time.
Review
Starminer is built around a satisfying escalation loop: small operation, bigger operation, then the moment you realize your “bigger operation” is loud enough to attract something that wants to erase it. The best part is the shipbuilding. When a space sandbox gives you tools that feel flexible, not just cosmetic, you start thinking in designs instead of upgrades. Do you build nimble miners and accept the risk, or go heavy, slow, and armed, and pay the price in cost and logistics?
The mining and processing layer looks like it will reward players who enjoy building routines. You’re not just clicking rocks. You’re setting up a pipeline: extract, haul, process, expand. That’s where the game can become addictive, because every new module is a chance to smooth out a bottleneck or push into a new sector.
The alien threat is the spice that keeps it from becoming pure efficiency meditation. If “heat” is tuned well, it creates a real decision. Mine a little longer and risk getting spotted, or cash out and play it safe. The caveat is that this kind of system can feel either thrilling or annoying depending on how predictable it is. If attacks feel random, players will resent them. If they’re too easy, they’re just background noise.
Early Access is the other asterisk. Balance, content breadth, and late-game variety will decide whether the game stays interesting once players solve the basic economy.
Verdict: A strong space-sandbox foundation with a clear risk-reward hook, with Early Access success hinging on smart threat tuning and meaningful mid-to-late game variety.
PC System Requirements
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 32 bit | — |
| CPU | Intel Core i3-10100 / AMD Ryzen 3 3100 (or similar) | — |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | — |
| Graphics | Nvidia GTX 1050 / AMD Radeon RX 560 (or similar) | — |
| Storage | 20 GB available space | — |
