A very touching if slightly melodramatic scene from the first game has been changed in this release, and its replacement does not feel as poignant. The two artificial characters don’t feel merely mechanical, nicely balancing their non-human side with human emotions such as sympathy and self-preservation. The evolving friendship between Rachel, Julia, and Mobot feels right, carried along by their teasing, gentle reprimands and conversations. Players explore the six planets in the current solar system vicariously through Mobot, the planetary exploration robot, searching for clues to what might have happened. Astrobiologist Rachel Manners awakes from cryo-sleep in deep space, alone on a probe, the rest of her crew missing and only the titular artificial intelligence as company. Among the Stars, which further improves upon the positives of the first game while changing the aspects that didn’t work, making for an even more enjoyable experience. Far exceeding their initial goal, they then decided to go all in, completely revamping and expanding J.U.L.I.A., including new graphics, puzzles, and a more fleshed-out backstory. But CBE Software, the two-man Czech team behind the game, still weren’t satisfied, so they started a crowdfunding campaign to make an enhanced version. first came out in early 2012, earning itself a resounding recommendation for its unique presentation, creative gameplay, and unabashed indie sensibilities.

Julia among the stars review game