Neptune Games has unveiled BioSynth on Kickstarter: a single-player sci-fi CRPG with a dark tone and strong inspiration from the classics of the genre.
BioSynth launched on Kickstarter on March 3, 2026. At the time of writing, the project has reached 50% of its funding goal, with a deadline set for April 2.
Neptune Games is an independent studio stepping into the spotlight with an ambitious project. Their vision of the video game medium is to recapture the “magic” of the golden age of CRPGs and evolve it for a modern audience. BioSynth aims to evoke strong memories of classics like Fallout 2 and Baldur’s Gate 2.
At the same time, it seems to incorporate the tactical freedom of games like Divinity: Original Sin 2 to enhance the overall experience.
To quote the developers directly:
“With BioSynth: Rising, we’re not just looking at the past; we’re looking at the future. Our vision is to create uncompromising RPG experiences where player agency is not just a marketing slogan, but the core of gameplay. We focus on systemic depth, meaningful choices, and a world that reacts to the player’s presence. At Neptune Games, we don’t just build games: we create worlds for thinkers, strategists, and dreamers.”
Before continuing, however, a few necessary clarifications are in order.
An Important Premise
BioSynth: Rising is currently in pre-alpha and serves only to give an idea of the gameplay loop. Although a demo is available on Kickstarter, you should be aware that you are dealing with a project that is still rough and in its early stages. This is not meant to diminish or criticize Neptune Games’ work, but to provide the right perspective for those who try it. Writing a full review of a product that, by definition, is still developing in every aspect would be unfair to both players and developers.
That said, in my experience I did not encounter any game-breaking bugs or softlocks.
Despite its early stage, BioSynth: Rising already shows what appears to be a solid foundation. Neptune Games’ intention is to present a gameplay loop and the core ideas that will shape the final game.
Neptune Games’ Vision
BioSynth: Rising appears to be a very ambitious project, and even in its pre-alpha state it offers glimpses of interesting elements.
First of all, the attention to dialogue is remarkable: multiple choices lead to unexpected consequences or discoveries. The number of decisions available also reveals a morality system. Your alignment changes based on your choices, represented by a bar that shifts across different degrees between good and evil. I’m curious to see what consequences this system will bring.
The only thing developers have confirmed is that you won’t be penalized for choosing an evil path.
In the demo, you should explore and talk to as many characters as possible: you’ll uncover lore, earn loot, and recruit companions.
A good design choice is the presence of multiple factions with which you can build reputation. There is also a global reputation system. At the start, you are essentially a “nobody.” It will be interesting to see how progression works and what impact it will have on gameplay.
I recommend expanding your party as soon as possible.
To do so, the map will be your main ally. While still in need of refinement and not always easy to read, it shows all the key points of interest. Quest icons, NPCs, and recruitable companions are clearly marked.
The game world itself is quite navigable (aside from some stutters and slowdowns), even vertically. In this regard, I was pleasantly surprised by the pathfinding, which is quite solid for a pre-alpha. The overall aesthetic and visual impact also suggest a clear vision behind the project.
Characters and Gameplay
There are four characters available, three of which are playable: Bounty Hunter, Hacker, and Surgeon.
The Ninja is present but not yet playable.
Once you’ve made your choice, you’ll have points to distribute among various attributes. Choose carefully how to invest them, as the game clearly explains the in-game effects of each stat.
In BioSynth, each class features 3 distinct skill trees, each with eight usable abilities. This means a total of 24 unique abilities per class.
Once you meet the requirements to unlock them, you can use these abilities and combine them in synergy with your companions.
Combat is deeply rooted in classic CRPG systems. This extends to inventory management, skills, and equipment such as weapons and armors. These can provide bonuses or additional abilities to the wearer. On top of that, the combat system is based on Action Points (AP), encouraging synergy between party members. Finally, the environment itself can be used as an improvised weapon against enemies.
My Two Cents
BioSynth: Rising is a Kickstarter project ending on April 2, 2026.
Like any crowdfunded project, backing it is an act of trust, and it involves a certain level of inherent risk.
For this reason, anyone interested in trying the pre-alpha should be aware that they are experiencing only the technical skeleton of a game that still needs to reach its funding goal in order to grow and evolve.
A positive note about the demo is its clarity on the gameplay side, with a solid introductory tutorial and clear explanations of its mechanics. I recommend that fans of single-player, turn-based sci-fi CRPGs try the free demo available on BioSynth: Rising – a Sci-Fi Turn-Based Classic RPG by Neptune Games — Kickstarter
The judgment is yours, the choice is yours.
Game key provided by the developers
