Star Trader
Turn-based interplanetary trading: buy low on producer worlds, haul cargo across the galaxy and sell high where goods are scarce. 8 planets with distinct economies, 8 commodities, market news to ride price waves, pirates, a 5%/day loan bank and ship upgrades. When the days run out — your net worth is your score!
Star Trader is a turn-based interplanetary trading game about buying low and selling high across the galaxy. You haul cargo between eight planets, each with its own economy, riding market news and dodging pirates to build a fortune before your days run out. It scratches the same itch as a good economic strategy game, boiled down to tight, tense turns.
How to play
Work the loop: buy goods where prices are low (green ↓ arrows), fly to a planet where they're scarce, and sell high (red ↑ arrows). In the Market tab, choose a quantity and buy or sell each commodity. In the Star Map, tap a planet to see distance and fuel cost, then travel (one day) or wait. The Ship & Bank tab handles fuel, upgrades, and loans. Your final net worth is your score.
Tips
- Read the news feed — events like plagues, famines, and festivals are announced a day ahead, so stock up before prices spike.
- Repay your starting 500 loan before day 11; the lender charges 5% daily and will seize your cash and cargo.
- Pirates target rich cargo ships, so upgrade Cannons to fight, Engines to flee, or Shields to lose less.
- Upgrade your cargo hold early — more goods per trip means fatter margins on every run.
For more strategic management, try building up Tiny City or ruling Idle Kingdom.
Objective
Within the day limit (60/45/30 by difficulty), get rich with the loop: BUY where goods are cheap (green ↓ arrow) → FLY to a world where they are scarce → SELL high (red ↑ arrow). Score = final net worth / 10.
Controls
- 🛒 Market tab: pick a quantity (×1/×5/×10/Max) then tap Buy/Sell on each good
- 🌌 Starmap tab: tap a planet to see distance + fuel needed, then Travel (costs 1 day) or Wait a day
- 🚀 Ship & Bank tab: refuel, install upgrades (Kepler Station only), borrow/repay loans
Tips
- Read the 📰 news: events (plague, famine, festival…) are announced ONE day early — stock up before prices spike
- Repay the starting 500 loan before day 11 or collectors will seize credits and cargo — interest is 5% per day
- Pirates love valuable cargo: upgrade Cannons to win Fights, Engine to Flee, Shields to lose less loot
- Bank loans are leverage: borrow to buy ahead of a price wave, but repay fast before interest eats your margin
- Upgrade the Cargo hold early — bigger hauls mean fatter profits; the Engine also saves fuel