Starfinder: Afterlight's Misfit Crew: Murderbot Meets Loki in a Galaxy Far, Far Weirder
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Epictellers Entertainment's Starfinder: Afterlight is shaping up with a truly wild cast of companions, including a telenovela-addicted Murderbot-esque android and a suave, undead Loki-Bond spy, promising chaotic TTRPG fun translated to CRPG for its 2026 early access.
Right, so you know that feeling when you're flipping through an old spellbook, trying to conjure a minor familiar, and accidentally blow a hole through reality to find yourself chatting with a daemon who's just *obsessed* with reality TV? Well, something a bit like that seems to be brewing with *Starfinder: Afterlight*, the upcoming CRPG that's taking Paizo's already expansive science-fantasy universe and injecting it with a glorious dose of character eccentricity. We're talking early access in 2026, which feels like eons away – enough time to brew a proper cup of tea, at least – but hey, good things often come to those who wait, right? Or, more accurately, to those who impatiently poke at dev updates like I do, always wondering 'what happens if...'
Massive shout-out to Polygon, who recently pulled back the curtain on a couple of the game's new companions, and mate, they're quite the duo. Epictellers Entertainment, the digital wizards behind this rendition of the Pact Worlds, are clearly leaning into the 'misfit crew of quirky adventurers' vibe that makes the tabletop game so brilliantly chaotic. And honestly, after getting a peek at Lu-323 and Sterling, I'm already clearing space in my imaginary party roster – not an easy feat, given my hoarding tendencies for digital artifacts.
First up, we've got Lu-323. Now, on the surface, she's an android. But this isn't your average, stoic, shiny tin-can; she was an elite stealth operative before some dastardly robotics corporation nabbed her on the planet Akiton. Fair dinkum, you'd expect a brooding, silent type after that ordeal, wouldn't you? A grim, efficient killer of circuits and souls. But no, apparently, her personality dial got stuck on 'telenovela marathon' during her capture. The Epictellers team originally reckoned she started off with a *Blade Runner* vibe (a classic, absolutely!), but they're refreshingly candid about how closely her story and developing quirks now mirror Martha Wells' brilliant *Murderbot Diaries*. And honestly? That's music to my ears. Who doesn't want a snarky, socially awkward AI who just wants to binge-watch her shows and be left alone, yet also happens to be a ridiculously effective Envoy, boosting her allies with shrewd leadership and perhaps a dramatic flourish or two? It’s like having a tactical genius who's also a connoisseur of digital drama, constantly making meta-commentary on your party's epic quest. Melissa Medina, known for bringing voices to life in *Borderlands 4* and *Warframe 1999*, is lending her talents to Lu-323, and I'm genuinely curious to hear that performance. An Envoy isn't typically the one on the front lines, spell-slinging or axe-wielding; rather, they're the one whispering encouragement, throwing out timely debuffs, or perhaps just exasperated sighs about the current plot twist to her teammates. It's a support role, sure, but one that sounds like it'll be dripping with more personality than a fully-stocked potion shop, which, let's be honest, is half the battle in crafting a truly memorable CRPG.
Then there's Sterling. Now, this bloke’s got a backstory worthy of a dark fantasy novel, or maybe a particularly grim spy thriller. He was human, right? A living, breathing person. But then he died – presumably not in a pleasant way, given we're talking about the Starfinder universe – and woke up again as a Borai. For those unfamiliar with the deeper lore, a Borai is a type of undead creature created when a tenacious fragment of a person's soul clings desperately to their corpse. A bit grim, eh? A poignant and persistent form of existential dread. These spectral squatters are particularly common on the planet Eox, which, conveniently (or inconveniently, for Sterling), will be at the very heart of *Starfinder: Afterlight*'s plot. So expect some serious existential angst, perhaps a few 'I'm dead, but not really, pass the space-whiskey' jokes, and undoubtedly, some profound reflections on the nature of life and undeath.
Personality-wise, the devs are pitching him as a Loki-esque trickster. And just when you think you've got a handle on that intriguing blend of mischief and menace, they throw in British secret agent archetypes, drawing inspiration from Pierce Brosnan’s suave James Bond and the stylish, gadget-laden Kingsman films. Bloody hell, talk about a flavour profile! So, if I'm reading these digital tea leaves correctly, we've got a suave, undead trickster spy who wields a blade made from *solar energy* as a Solarian. My brain just did a backflip, mate. How does one combine cosmic power, undead angst, and impeccable tailoring? I'm picturing him casually sipping a martini (shaken, not stirred, obviously) while simultaneously conjuring a solar blade to slice through a rogue robot. James Alexander, who recently lent his distinctive voice to *Dragon's Dogma 2*, is taking on Sterling, and I reckon he's got his work cut out for him, balancing all those gloriously disparate influences. Sterling’s personal quest? To recover his fractured memories and solve the gnawing mystery of his own death. It’s classic, compelling stuff, but with that unique undead, trickster, cosmic-powered spin, it just feels... *different*. It's not just a 'who done it,' it’s a 'who done it, and how am I still here, and can I still pull off a decent martini while questioning the fabric of reality?' kind of mystery.
So, if you're keeping score – and I always am, because numbers are fun – we've got a telenovela-addicted, Murderbot-esque android, and a suave, undead Loki-Bond spy. And they're joining a grumpy Ysoki Operative named Tycho and a Vesk Soldier named Kole, who, apparently, are straight out of an '80s action flick. Honestly, Epictellers Entertainment is cooking up a party that sounds less like a cohesive, perfectly optimised unit and more like the cast of a slightly unhinged reality show where they all have to save the galaxy while simultaneously bickering about who left the cosmic fridge door open, or whose turn it is to choose the spaceship's background music. And you know what? That's precisely what makes a TTRPG party sing, and what makes a CRPG truly memorable. It's the friction, the unexpected dynamics, the moments when characters don't just solve problems, but *become* the problem (in a mostly endearing, chaotically optimistic way).
This hyper-focus on distinct, almost jarringly contrasted personalities is a brilliant move. It tells me that Epictellers isn't just mindlessly porting the Starfinder ruleset; they're genuinely trying to capture the *spirit* of playing a good tabletop RPG session. That feeling where the story emerges as much from your party's eccentricities and interpersonal drama as it does from the intricately crafted plot. It's about finding the human (or android, or undead, or alien, you get the picture) story behind the corporate announcements and the lore dumps. It reminds us that behind every skill tree and damage calculation, there's a character with their own motivations, flaws, and perhaps, a secret passion for space-soap operas. And that, mate, is why this news has me genuinely excited. It's not just about stats and combat, it's about the colourful, often unpredictable, characters you're adventuring with.
Now, a quick nod to the practicalities: Epictellers will be launching a Kickstarter campaign in October. They're looking to drum up funds for more voice acting (which, after hearing about these characters, I wholeheartedly endorse – give me all the dramatic readings, please!) and to expand the list of player character options. It's a familiar path for many indie CRPGs looking to punch above their weight, and while Kickstarter always comes with its own flavour of cautious optimism (you know, 'will it deliver exactly what it promises, or will I accidentally summon a sentient toaster instead of a magic sword from another dimension?'), it's great to see them aiming for that extra polish and player choice. A longer lead time to early access in 2026 also means they've got some serious development ahead, so let's hope they keep up this focus on personality and deep player engagement. It's a long road, but if they stick to this character-first approach, here's hoping the final product is as chaotically brilliant as these companions sound. I'll be keeping a wizard's eye on this one, that's for sure.
Source: Polygon
Tags: CRPG, Starfinder, Sci-Fi Fantasy, Character Reveal, Indie Game
Original article: Polygon