- Play as Astro, the cat space pilot, in a tumultuous bullet hell shooter
- Nine levels will take you from deep space to Earth and beyond
- The mobile version will provide the same speedy action on phones and tablets
When we first learned about Astro Burn, it already looked like a memorable debut for London’s Beyond The Pixels. A retro-inspired cult hell starring a fearless cat? That alone was enough to get attention. Now the studio is taking the next step and joining Steam Next Fest with a playable demo that’s equal parts tumultuous and adorable.
In Astro Burn, you step into the paw prints of Astro, a feline space pilot returning home after a space mission. But Earth is not exactly the place you left. Powerful machines swarm the planet, no humans are anywhere in sight, and Astro must fight his way through waves of enemies to discover what has happened. Along for the ride is her robot companion Al, who helps you navigate the growing chaos.
The demo is a good representation of what Beyond The Pixels does: speedy, vigorous shooting and movement that keeps you on the edge of your seat without feeling frustrated. You rush from deep space back to Earth, through the skies, oceans and some rather strange corners of the world, fighting enemies and bosses that really test your timing in these low, punchy bursts.
While this demo is for PC, there’s no reason why mobile gamers should feel left out. Astro Burn’s core of edged reflexes, low action, and gradual challenge seems to suit phones and tablets. Even low sessions are engaging, and the visual style is immaculate enough to be easily read on smaller screens.
Just don’t confuse him with Astrobot – Astro Burn has sharper claws and a mischievous streak of his own. And if you’re in the mood for more fast-paced bullet hell action in the meantime, it’s worth checking out our list of the best bullet hell games on iOS – plenty of crazy fun to keep you entertained until Astro Burn lands on your mobile device.
