So you’ve just booted up StarRupture and you’re staring at the character selection screen, probably thinking: “Wait, does this actually matter?” Fair question buddy. The game drops you on Arcadia-7, a planet that literally tries to cook you alive with planet-wide wipes, and you’re expected to pick between a Soldier, Biologist, Engineer, or Scientist without much context.
Let me break it down for you so you can stop overthinking it and get to the actual survival part.
Do Characters Actually Matter in StarRupture?
Here’s the deal: right now, they don’t.
Yeah, I know. You’d think the Soldier would be better at combat, the Engineer would build faster, the Biologist would heal more efficiently, and the Scientist would unlock research quicker. That’s what the roles suggest, right? But as of the current build, there’s no mechanical difference between them.
What you do get are different voice actors and personalities. Each character reacts differently during dialogue and when stuff goes sideways (which happens a lot in this game). The Scientist is lowkey unhinged, the Engineer’s got that grizzled survivor vibe, the Soldier stays cool under pressure, and the Biologist… well, let’s just say they’re not thrilled about being on a death planet.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting: the game’s still in Early Access. The way the roles are set up feels like there was supposed to be a deeper system here maybe character-specific perks or bonuses. Whether the devs scrapped it, are tweaking it, or plan to add it later? No clue. But for now, you’re picking based on vibes, not stats.
Which Character Should You Choose?
Since there’s no gameplay advantage, just pick whoever sounds cool to you:
- Soldier – No-nonsense, mission-focused. Good pick if you want a straightforward survivor.
- Biologist – Nervous energy, lots of commentary. Fun if you like a character who’s clearly out of their depth.
- Engineer – Practical and resourceful. Feels the most “survival crafter” of the bunch.
- Scientist – Chaotic energy. Honestly the most entertaining if you like dark humor.
If you’re playing solo, it doesn’t matter. But if you’re in co-op mode, here’s a pro tip: have everyone pick different roles. Why? Because the banter between characters is hilarious. They don’t get along, they throw shade at each other constantly, and your AI assistant GAL just stirs the pot. It’s genuinely one of the best parts of the game if you’re playing with friends.
How to Switch Characters in StarRupture
Good news: you’re not locked into your choice. If you want to try a different character (maybe you’re tired of the Biologist freaking out every five minutes), here’s how to swap:
Step 1: Unlock the Regeneration Chamber
Level up Future Health Solutions to Level 2 (check out our guide on how to get data points if you’re short on upgrades).
Alternatively, just head to your Landing Pod (the starter area where you first crashed).
Step 2: Use the Regeneration Chamber
Place the chamber if you unlocked it via research, or use the one in the Landing Pod.
Interact with it and select your new character.
Step 3: Confirm the Switch
Accept the change.
You’ll switch characters immediately, but here’s the best part: you keep your inventory and all unlocked skills.
This means you can test out different characters without losing progress. Want to see if the Scientist’s commentary is as unhinged as people say? Go for it. Miss the Engineer’s pragmatic one-liners? Switch back. It’s that simple.
Tips for Picking Your Character
Even though characters don’t have unique abilities yet, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Co-op players: Coordinate roles for immersion. It feels more natural when everyone has a different background, and again, the dialogue makes it worth it.
- Solo players: Just go with your gut. You’ll be hearing your character’s voice a lot, so pick someone whose personality you won’t get sick of.
- Planning ahead: If the devs do add character-specific abilities later (which feels likely given the role setup), you might want to try all of them now so you know which playstyle you prefer.
And seriously, don’t stress about this choice. The real challenge in StarRupture isn’t your character—it’s surviving long enough to see the next solar flare without getting roasted. Need help with that? Check out our beginner’s guide for some solid survival tips.
Other Useful StarRupture Guides
If you’re just getting started or stuck on something specific, these guides might help:
- How to get Meteorite Heart
- How to get Calcium
- How to heal with MedTool
- How to unlock Grenades
- How to increase Inventory Size
- How to unlock the Map
- How to destroy Buildings and Rails
FAQ‘s
Does your starting character affect gameplay in StarRupture?
Nope, not right now. All characters play exactly the same mechanically. The only differences are voice lines and personality, which show up during dialogue and reactions. Pick based on who you think sounds cool.
Can you change characters after starting the game?
Yep! You can switch characters anytime using the Regeneration Chamber (unlock it by upgrading Future Health Solutions to Level 2) or by using the one at your Landing Pod. You keep all your inventory and skills when you switch.
Will characters get unique abilities in the future?
Maybe? The roles (Soldier, Biologist, Engineer, Scientist) suggest the devs had plans for character-specific perks, but nothing’s confirmed yet. StarRupture is still in Early Access on Steam, so things could change before full release.
Which character is best for co-op?
From a gameplay perspective, it doesn’t matter. But from an entertainment perspective, have everyone pick different roles. The character interactions and banter make co-op way more fun, especially when they’re bickering while trying not to die.
That’s pretty much everything you need to know about characters in StarRupture. Don’t overthink the choice, experiment with switching if you’re curious, and focus on not getting incenerated by the next solar event. Good luck out there on Arcadia-7!
