South Yorkshire-based indie studio Slice Bar Games has officially pushed Astra Protocol Remake into beta, marking a huge milestone for the project. The announcement comes alongside a brand-new trailer that gives us a proper look at the revamped visuals — and yes, it’s looking as gloriously retro-futuristic as ever.
You can jump into the beta now via Itch.io, with Slice Bar inviting players to download the latest build, play through it, and share feedback to help fine-tune the final release.
If you missed our previous coverage, Astra Protocol Remake is a reimagining of the original Astra Protocol, a minimalist space survival game that channels early ‘80s sci-fi aesthetics with a haunting, lo-fi edge. Think Alien meets Asteroids, if everything was recorded on a fuzzy VHS tape. The game’s original retro design and striking visuals already set it apart, and this remake looks to build on that foundation in a big way.
A new coat of pixel-perfect paint
The remake introduces a modern rendering pipeline that adds depth and atmosphere without losing that crucial cassette-era vibe. Players can toggle between multiple CRT and retro display effects, giving you the power to make the game look like it’s running on your old family TV from 1985 — or a high-end display with stylish scanlines.
Under the hood, things have been tightened up considerably:
- Refined collision detection keeps the gameplay crisp and responsive.
- Improved enemy AI means those weird space anomalies aren’t just floating set pieces anymore — they’re actively out to ruin your day.
- Visual upgrades enhance the eerie aesthetic, reinforcing the “cassette-futuristic” theme that’s become the game’s calling card.
Back to the future — in beta form
It’s great to see Astra Protocol back in action, especially in this form. Slice Bar Games has clearly put effort into preserving what made the original special while adding just enough modern polish to make it shine. The beta feels like a celebration of old-school sci-fi gaming — the kind that thrives on mystery, tension, and that subtle hum of analogue weirdness.
You can join the beta now via Itch.io.
If the finished version lives up to what we’re seeing so far, Astra Protocol Remake could easily become a cult favourite among fans of atmospheric, slow-burn retro sci-fi. Like a true retro game that wasn’t, but should have been…
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through those links. This comes at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
