
Screenshots

Watch trailer on Steam ↗STARCATCHER
John Plewe · Published by Nevercenter
Last updated 27 Sept 2026
STARCATCHER is an experimental wave-based arcade game, currently in development. It's simple, unique, and intensely hard. Protect the heart!
Free
Action, Indie, Early Access · More free games
Delve into the fast-paced, arcade-style action of STARCATCHER. In this early access title from developer John Plewe, your mission is clear: defend the heart against relentless waves of enemies.
About this game
(Note: pre-release development on this project is on hold indefinitely.) STARCATCHER is an experimental wave-based arcade game, currently in development. It's simple, unique, and intensely hard. Protect the heart!
FEATURES
- Intense, single-screen arcade action
- Challenging skill-based gameplay
- A huge array of color-switching weapon+shield combos
- Unique design -- the heart is your hitpoint
- Pulsing, frenetic visuals and game speed
- Innovative and highly varied enemy waves
- Instant restarts
- Full controller support
- Local and online leaderboards
GAMEPLAY
As waves appear, your goal is to shoot enemies with your matching-colored gun (blue) and intercept shots with your matching-colored shield (yellow). Your character is invincible (no need to dodge), but if anything touches the heart, it's game over. It starts simple, but soon you will have to make complex choices and have fast reflexes to survive. Every few waves, you'll evolve, getting an all-new weapon and shield combo.
WEAPONS
Master a wide array of weapons, each with its own drawbacks and advantages. Some, like the Laser and Rail, are piercing instant-hit weapons, others provide a wide areay or offer a fast fire rate.
SHIELDS
Every shield has a unique shield burst (performed by pressing Shield while jumping). Use them to clear screenfuls of bullets, erect a shield around the heart, or even hover and fly.
EXPERIENCE
Enter a trippy arcade world of giant voxel text and glitchy glowy lights. You will die, a lot, but instant restarts and non-resetting music keep the joy flowing.
FEATURES
- Intense, single-screen arcade action
- Challenging skill-based gameplay
- A huge array of color-switching weapon+shield combos
- Unique design -- the heart is your hitpoint
- Pulsing, frenetic visuals and game speed
- Innovative and highly varied enemy waves
- Instant restarts
- Full controller support
- Local and online leaderboards
GAMEPLAY
As waves appear, your goal is to shoot enemies with your matching-colored gun (blue) and intercept shots with your matching-colored shield (yellow). Your character is invincible (no need to dodge), but if anything touches the heart, it's game over. It starts simple, but soon you will have to make complex choices and have fast reflexes to survive. Every few waves, you'll evolve, getting an all-new weapon and shield combo.
WEAPONS
Master a wide array of weapons, each with its own drawbacks and advantages. Some, like the Laser and Rail, are piercing instant-hit weapons, others provide a wide areay or offer a fast fire rate.
SHIELDS
Every shield has a unique shield burst (performed by pressing Shield while jumping). Use them to clear screenfuls of bullets, erect a shield around the heart, or even hover and fly.
EXPERIENCE
Enter a trippy arcade world of giant voxel text and glitchy glowy lights. You will die, a lot, but instant restarts and non-resetting music keep the joy flowing.
System Requirements
Will my PC run this? →Minimum
Minimum:
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- OS *: Windows 7
Recommended
Recommended:
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
Supported Languages
English
Latest news
AnnouncementsOfficial
Beta testing, round 2!
Hi folks, For those of you who missed out, we're adding a second batch of beta testers. Reply to John's tweet here for a free early key for the game: https://twitter.com/johnplewe/status/969649309678321664 Have a great weekend!Read full article on Community Announcements (Nevercenter)AnnouncementsOfficial
Beta testing, round 2!
Hi folks, For those of you who missed out, we're adding a second batch of beta testers. Reply to John's tweet here for a free early key for the game: https://twitter.com/johnplewe/status/969649309678321664 Have a great weekend!Read full article on Community Announcements (Nevercenter)AnnouncementsOfficial
Beta tests begin!
Hi folks, we're letting a few people in early to test, with free beta keys. Contact John via twitter, first come first serve: https://twitter.com/johnplewe/status/969043701015093248Read full article on Community Announcements (Nevercenter)AnnouncementsOfficial
Beta tests begin!
Hi folks, we're letting a few people in early to test, with free beta keys. Contact John via twitter, first come first serve: https://twitter.com/johnplewe/status/969043701015093248Read full article on Community Announcements (Nevercenter)






