NEWS | Sixtar Gate: STARTRAIL Takes Players on a Musical Interstellar Journey on Nintendo Switch

INDIE game developer, Starlike Inc., has launched rhythm game, ‘Sixtar Gate: STARTRAIL,’ globally for the Nintendo Switch on March 16th available on the Nintendo eShop. 

With this new release comes new features and exclusive optimised note patterns designed for the Joy-Con controllers. In the game, players can enjoy a range of content, from Adventure Mode to Outer Space mode. The new “Shift Notes” is a highlight, which makes full use of the Joy-Con controllers, and the note patterns have been reworked to match the control scheme of the Nintendo Switch. 

The game also includes a number of gear skins exclusive to the platform. In addition to these features, there are various post-release game additions in the works for players to enjoy, ranging from free songs to DLC packages and artist collaborations.

The lead producer of this game, ‘Lyrebird Ferdinant,’ previously worked on titles like Pump It Up and OverRapid, while Sound Souler works as the main sound director. With songs from famous artists that have been featured in the BEMANI series, original exclusives by popular artists, new arrangements of familiar songs from the ‘Touhou Project,’ and more.

The game sends players on an interstellar voyage with their cute, charming partner and mascot of this game, immersing them in a musical story as the notes become a colourful trail leading through the vastness of space. 

The game’s story revolves around the looming Anti-ARKK menace that threatens to engulf the Sixtar Cluster. Players navigate through space, where a massive amount of Anti-ARKK suddenly appears, covering the star cluster. An emergency alert is sent out, warning all starships to evacuate to the nearest planet. 

The trio aboard the Ausflug have to make use of the ARKK Gear mounted to the Ausflug to survive. Players take on the role of the captain, balancing Operator Shii’s cheerful, honest nature with Operator Rami’s playful but mischievous side, and stop their constant scuffles long enough to ensure the safety of the Ausflug and maybe even the entire star cluster.

The Nintendo Switch version of Sixtar Gate was a success even before the official release. In Korea, where a physical release crowd-funding event happened alongside pre-sales, gamers topped the crowd-funding goal with a whopping 1,432 per cent. Sixtar Gate was also released as an Early Access game on PC via Steam in November 2021, and the Nintendo Switch version is a new experience developed with unique additions ideal for the Nintendo Switch platform. — Geeks Republika