Strania -the Stella Machina- Ex Jun 2026

| Element | Details | |--------|----------| | | Action‑RPG / Hack‑and‑Slash (with heavy mech‑pilot elements) | | Platform | PC (Steam, Epic), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S | | Main Goal | Recover the seven Stellar Cores to awaken the ancient Stella Machina and stop the “Void Tide”. | | Core Loop | Exploration → Combat → Upgrade → Story Progression | | Difficulty Modes | Novice (auto‑target, XP boost), Standard , Hardcore (permadeath for pilots) and EX (the hardest, with “Eclipse” modifiers). This guide focuses on EX . |

The edition, released on platforms like the Nintendo Switch in early 2025, introduced several significant updates:

| Feature | Effect on Gameplay | |----------|-------------------| | | Random global debuffs (e.g., “Reduced Healing 30%”, “Enemy Aggro +20%”) appear every 5 minutes. | | Limited Revives | Only 2 Resurrection Orbs per playthrough (found in secret vaults). | | No Auto‑Heal | Health regeneration only occurs via consumables or the “Regen Core” (see §4). | | Boss Phases | Each boss has an extra “Eclipse Phase” after 70% HP that adds new attack patterns. | | Resource Scarcity | Materials drop at 60% of normal rates; crafting recipes are stricter. |

| Pilot | Mech (Base) | Core Skill | Recommended Upgrades (EX) | Playstyle | |-------|-------------|------------|----------------------------|-----------| | | Astra‑Vanguard (Heavy) | Solar Flare – 20% extra Light dmg + 2s stun on burst | 1️⃣ Radiant Core (increase shield 30%) 2️⃣ Pulse Regenerator (adds 5% HP regen per 10s) | Front‑line tank; use Guard stance to survive Eclipse phases. | | Riven | Riven‑Striker (Medium) | Void Edge – 15% Void dmg, adds bleed on hit | 1️⃣ Eclipse Dampener (reduces Eclipse debuff impact) 2️⃣ Rapid Cooldown (skill cd -20%) | Mobile DPS; switch to Swift for quick burst combos. | | Lyra | Lyra‑Scout (Light) | Radiant Pulse – 25% Radiant dmg, heals allies for 5% of damage dealt | 1️⃣ Life Leech Module (adds 3% lifesteal) 2️⃣ Affinity Scanner (reveals enemy weakness on radar) | Support/Hybrid; keep in Assault to trigger heal on hits. | | Kade | Kade‑Gunner (Ranged) | Solar Barrage – 30% Light dmg, pierces shields | 1️⃣ Extended Magazine (increase ammo 25%) 2️⃣ Shield Breaker (ignores 10% of enemy shield) | Ranged specialist; use Assault stance, keep distance during Eclipse phases. | strania -the stella machina- ex

At its surface, Strania presents a familiar dichotomy. The player pilots the “Strania,” a super-powered aerial fortress for the Zemiev forces, tasked with repelling the robotic “Stor” invaders. The pixel art is crisp, the laser fire is dense, and the combo system rewards aggressive, rhythmic destruction. Yet, the “EX” label is crucial; it reframes the experience. The expanded mode introduces a second, parallel campaign where the player controls the Stor machines. This narrative parallax transforms the game from a simple tale of defense into a profound, silent tragedy of mutual annihilation.

(the toughest area).

The “EX” expansion deepens this metaphor by introducing asymmetry. The Stor campaign is not a mere reskin; their weapons function on a different logic—slower, more deliberate, and reliant on deployable turrets. Playing as the Stor, the supposed invader, one realizes their movements are not aggressive but reactive . Their levels are mirrored versions of the Zemiev stages, but the context is inverted. What was a defensive perimeter becomes a slaughterhouse. The game masterfully uses its level design to show that from the other side of the gun, every heroic last stand looks like a desperate ambush. | Element | Details | |--------|----------| | |

Below is the to acquire the seven Stellar Cores while minimizing backtracking and Eclipse debuff exposure.

The Gold Keycard can only be obtained after defeating the Eclipse Sentinel (Sector 6). It is not required for main story completion but is essential for the Solar Sanctum Vault , which gives you the extra healing you’ll desperately need for the final fight.

| Vault | Required Keycard | Contents | How to Access | |-------|------------------|----------|---------------| | | Gold Keycard | 3× Regeneration Core , 1× Solar Overload Module (adds 10% Solar dmg), 5000 Credits | After completing Sector 7, a hidden door appears on the west wall of the final arena. | | Void Relic Lab | Silver + Gold Keycards | 2× Eclipse Dampener , 1× Void Core Upgrade (adds 15% Void dmg), 1× Resurrection Orb | Solve the “Three‑Symbol” puzzle (rotate three pillars to match the void sigil). | | Astral Archive | Bronze Keycard | Lore entries (unlock “Pilot Backstories”), 1× Affinity Scanner Upgrade (reveals hidden elemental auras). | Located in Sector 1’s hidden basement; push the rightmost stone slab. | | The edition, released on platforms like the

The "EX" moniker brings several major additions that were previously exclusive to the limited arcade release :

(Optional side‑quest for extra Regeneration Core ).