If you are looking for a game that whispers instead of shouts that blends quiet reflection with clever puzzles then The Star Named EOS Review: Bittersweet Puzzle Led Story of a Boy & His Camera might be exactly what you are after. In this review we shell explore every shade of that experience from the stunning visuals and calming soundtrack to the emotional heart of its story while offering tips, insights and reasons why this game deserves a spot on your wish list.
The Star Named EOS is a narrative puzzle adventure developed by Silver Lining Studio and published by PLAYISM. It tells the story of Dei, a boy uncovering memories of his late mother through photographs blending emotional storytelling with photography-based gameplay. Available on Steam Nintendo Switch PlayStation and Xbox its a game designed for players who appreciate beauty, introspection and meaningful puzzles.
What makes The Star Named EOS truly stand out is its bittersweet atmosphere and meditative pacing. Every photo you recreate, every puzzle you solve draws you deeper into Dei’s emotional world, one that balances nostalgia, loss and love with artistic precision. Whether you are a fan of cozy games like Unpacking or storydriven adventures like Behind the Frame, this title offers an experience that lingers long after the screen fades to black.
Quick Info
Feature | Details |
Game Title | The Star Named EOS |
Developer | Silver Lining Studio |
Publisher | PLAYISM |
Genre | Narrative Puzzle Adventure |
Platforms | PC (Steam) Nintendo Switch PlayStation 5 Xbox |
Release Date | July 23 2024 |
Game Length | Approx. 3–7 hours (depends on puzzlesolving pace) |
Gameplay Focus | Photography-based puzzles emotional storytelling environmental exploration |
Main Character | Dei a boy uncovering his mother’s past through photographs |
Art Style | Hand drawn painterly visuals with soft pastel tones |
Soundtrack | Emotional piano driven score reminiscent of Studio Ghibli aesthetics |
Best For | Players who enjoy calm emotional and storyrich puzzle games |
Steam Rating | Very Positive (based on player reviews) |
Similar Games | Behind the Frame Unpacking What Remains of Edith Finch |
Average Price | $14.99 (often discounted on Steam) |
The Star Named EOS Review What Is It?

At its heart The Star Named EOS is a narrative puzzle adventure built around photography. Developed by Silver Lining Studio and published via PLAYISM this game has been released for PC (Steam) Nintendo Switch Xbox and PlayStation 5.
You play as Dei, a young man trying to reconstruct his mother’s past by recreating her photographs scene by scene. In doing so you not only solve puzzles you peel back layers of memory loss and love.
Unlike big sprawling titles it’s lean and intentional. In about 3–7 hours (depending on how deeply you explore) you will complete its arc but you will likely walk away changed.
Metacritic shows strong ratings across platforms and many reviewers highlight how the puzzles, art and story come together harmoniously. (Metacritic)
The Star Named EOS Switch Review How It Plays on Nintendo Switch
If you are playing on Nintendo Switch this version is decent but has tradeoffs. According to the Nintendo Life review though the game runs smoothly the pointandclick mechanics feel more natural on PC. (Nintendo Life)
Because you rely on a joystick or touch controls to aim and click precision becomes more challenging. Also some puzzle elements require fine dragging or snapping of objects which work better with a mouse. Still the Switch version is portable allowing you to sit in a calm corner and lose yourself in memory and starlight.
The Star Named EOS Game Review Art Mechanics & Emotion

Let’s look at the major pillars: art & visuals puzzles & mechanics narrative & emotional impact and audio & voice work.
Art & Visuals
From the first glance the handdrawn painterly style swells with warmth. Each scene be it a childhood bedroom European café or a starlit forest feels like a living scrapbook page.
The panorama technology lets you look around 360° creating that “walk around a memory” sensation. Many critics compare it to the visual poetry of indie gems. (The Indie Informer)
Puzzles & Mechanics
The puzzle design is deceptively simple but satisfying:
- You begin with a target photograph from your mother.
- You explore an environment noticing interactive spots (cursor changes to an eye or hand icon).
- You zoom in, collect items and solve minipuzzles (codes sliding tiles symbol matches).
- Finally you arrange the scene and snap a matching photo.
When it works it feels magical the act of snapping the perfect memory is deeply rewarding. But there are moments where the puzzles feel too subtle and you will get stuck. A few reviewers noted absence of hints or clear guidance as a drawback. (God Is A Geek)
Narrative & Emotional Impact
This is where The Star Named EOS really aims at your heart. The story is not full of shocking twists but of small moments: a letter, a photograph, a memory you almost forgot.
I remember during one chapter I paused, stared at a photograph I just recreated and felt an ache a yearning. That is the tone this game lives in.
Still some critics find the characters underdeveloped. Dei for example is sometimes a blank canvas rather than a fully fleshed protagonist. (Siliconera) The mother’s motivations and risks are hinted at but sometimes left vague, reducing narrative weight for some players. (Siliconera)
Audio & Voice Work
The soundtrack is gentle immersive piano ambient strings soft melodies layering atmosphere without pushing. Many praise it as one of the strongest emotional supports of the experience.
Voice acting exists in multiple languages (English Japanese Traditional Chinese) giving the characters texture. Some lines strike deep though in very emotional stretches the delivery edges into overly dramatic for certain tastes.
Is EOS a Good Brand? EOS Company Reviews (Addressing the “EOS” Background)
When using the term EOS some might wonder: Is EOS a good brand? What does “EOS” stand for in “star events” or in brands that use that acronym?
In this game’s case EOS is tied to poetic meaning, the star’s memory and gaze. It’s not connected to camera brands (like Canon’s EOS) or event acronyms.
However because “EOS” is used in multiple industries (photography space finance) this game’s use of EOS is worth separating. It’s a narrative emblem not a corporate name.
In gaming circles “EOS company reviews” may refer to user impressions of this game or the developer Silver Lining Studio. Their previous game Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery already earned praise and The Star Named EOS continues that reputation. The community generally reviews them favorably for aesthetic emotional indie titles.
The Star Named EOS Steam Buying on PC & Steam Discounts
On Steam The Star Named EOS is available now. It often sees discounts (like 30% off) which make it a compelling purchase for narrative game lovers.
Steam also provides player reviews, a forum for The Star Named EOS review, reddit reactions and community screenshots that let you glimpse into others’ journeys. Speaking of Reddit..
The Star Named EOS Review Reddit What Players Say
In Reddit’s cozy game communities the response has been warm:
Just finished playing The Star Named EOS and I am obsessed. It’s a cozy puzzle game with a story that unfolds beautifully.
Players highlight how the game lingers in the mind. If you want unfiltered impressions the Reddit threads often discuss whether the emotional ending resonated with them or which chapters gave them chills.
The Star Named EOS Review PS4 / PS5 How It Performs on PlayStation

While there is no PS4 version the game is available on PS5. The performance and experience there tend to mirror the PC version: smooth immersive visually rich. Many console users comment that the PlayStation experience works well with standard controllers though the precision required in some puzzles still favors a mouse setup.
If you are a PlayStation gamer this version is solid especially if you are used to navigating slow storydriven games.
The Star Named EOS Walkthrough A Starter Guide & Tips
To help you feel confident going in here is a walkthrough outline (based partly on the Into Indie Games guide) and some tips to avoid getting stuck.
Walkthrough Outline (Chapters 1–2 example)
- Chapter 1 (Intro)
- Interact with your mother figure and focus on the stars she points to.
- Chapter 2 (Bedroom)
- Turn on the lamp; interact with the envelope on the bedside table.
- Your goal: recreate the photograph (window + vase + flowers).
- Find the camera in a locked safe. Use the code 05/24 (from calendar / computer) to unlock it.
- Use camera mode to frame the window.
- Collect items: origami flowers curtains etc. Use codes from wall symbols (stars triangles maps) to unlock drawers.
- Place items in correct positions then snap the matching photo to finish the chapter.
Beyond the opening chapters the puzzles grow more complex but always revolve around observation decoding and arrangement.
Tips to Avoid Frustration
- Write down or screenshot codes and patterns because puzzles often refer back to earlier clues.
- Use the camera zoom to detect small hidden symbols.
- Explore every corner; some clues are subtle or tucked behind objects.
- If you feel stuck, revisit each interactable many times missing one clue is the culprit not a failed logic jump.
- On Switch consider using the touchscreen option (if available) to boost precision.
Pros & Cons What Works & What Might Not
What Works Really Well
- Emotional resonance: The narrative “whispers” letting small reveals accumulate into an emotional crescendo.
- Puzzle integration: The puzzles never feel tacked on; they push the story forward.
- Visual and audio beauty: Dreamy handdrawn art and a hauntingly soothing soundtrack.
- Compact size with impact: No filler every moment counts.
- Multilingual voice work: Adds dimension and immersion across regions.
What Could Be Better
- No hint or skip system: Some players report getting stuck especially later.
- Thin character development: Dei and side characters can feel a bit underwritten.
- Short runtime: Some may wish for more chapters or deeper exploration.
- Control precision on consoles: The experience is more fluid on PC less so on consoles with joystick input.
Why You Should Buy The Star Named EOS
If you are still considering here is why I believe you should buy with confidence:
- It’s a heartfelt intimate experience not blockbuster but deeply human.
- The art, music and puzzles align beautifully. None oversell; all complement.
- It’s short so you get a complete arc for a compact time investment.
- On sale it’s a high value indie gem.
- There is strong community love (Reddit Steam forums) which confirms your emotional journey won’t be solitary.
- If you enjoy games like Unpacking Behind the Frame or What Remains of Edith Finch this fits naturally in that lane.
Plus: once you finish replaying or revisiting specific chapters often reveals small details you missed extending the value.
Conclusion
The Star Named EOS Review: Bittersweet PuzzleLed Story of a Boy & His Camera captures what many modern games forget the quiet beauty of reflection. Its hand drawn art, heartfelt storytelling and photography-based puzzles create a deeply personal experience that lingers long after the final scene. While pacing hiccups and minimal signposting may challenge some players, the emotional reward makes every moment worthwhile. It is a story that reminds you how stillness can be just as powerful as spectacle.
In the end The Star Named EOS stands as a remarkable entry among narrative puzzle games, intimate, beautiful and meaningful. Whether you play it on Steam Nintendo Switch or PlayStation it’s an emotional adventure you’ll want to savor slowly. So if you’ve ever looked through an old photograph and felt time stand still this is your game. Let its story unfold one frame at a time and discover how memory and love can light even the darkest skies.

Emily Whittle is a passionate gamer and blogger, sharing honest reviews, guides, and tips through Top Cozy Games. With years of gaming experience, she helps players discover cozy, fun, and exciting titles. Her mission is to create a trusted space where gamers can find reliable insights and enjoy their gaming journey.