Here’s a news flash that’s “purr-fect” (groan) for anyone who misses the glory days of the 16-bit shoot-’em-up: Beyond The Pixels is getting ready to drop its debut title, Astro Burn, and it looks like a cat-tastic (oh, come on!) blast of retro action.
Who are Beyond The Pixels?
This London-based studio is the brainchild of HaZ Dulull, a guy with some seriously diverse credits across film, TV, and games—we’re talking Netflix, Disney+, Fortnite, and cinematics for titles like Dune: Awakening. He’s taking all that cross-industry experience and focusing on one goal: re-inventing retro for a modern audience, with a clear plan to turn the game IPs into film, TV, and all that good transmedia stuff.
In fact, an animated TV series adaptation of Astro Burn is already in development!
The game is coming to Steam, adding to the long list of retro and neoretro games on Steam.
Let’s talk about Astro Burn
This a side-scrolling shoot-’em-up—a shmup—that clearly takes inspiration from the pixel art classics of the 16-bit era. But the star of the show isn’t a grizzled human pilot; it’s Astro, a fearless feline space pilot, along with her logical robot companion, AL.
The setup is great: Astro returns from a deep-space mission only to find Earth encircled by massive A.I. war machines and not a human soul in sight. Naturally, it’s up to this sassy, weapon-toting cat to unleash some bullet-hell onslaught and figure out what led to humanity’s “cat-aclysmic demise.”
Now, a word of warning: the promo material for this game leans heavily into feline-themed punnery. We are promised a protagonist who is a “feline badass packed with cat-tastic quips and purr-fect puns at every turn.”
Hopefully, the jokes are funnier in-game than they are in the marketing material.
It’s time to feel the burn
The best news? While the full launch is expected in early 2026 on PC, Mac, mobile, and console, you don’t have to wait. The studio has announced that a free demo is now available on Steam.
The game promises to be frantic and fast. You’ll be battling through ten diverse levels—from deep space to underwater realms—with that slick modern pixel art. It’s got a roguelite challenge for those who like a high score hunt, a great “Stack-em-up” weapons system, and a banging synth-wave soundtrack by Venice Bleach.
Crucially, the controls are designed to be “kitty simple” with one-button action, though you’ll need all of Astro’s nine lives to survive the difficulty. They’ve even thrown in some fun power-ups, like a Catnip Mode (which is bullet time in space). There’s also a two-player co-op arcade mode for some extra chaos, and for those who like to show off, there’s a Hi-Score leaderboard supporting speed-runs.
Here’s a summary of features:
- Blistering side-scrolling shoot-’em-up inspired by 16-bit classics.
- Reborn and re-engineered for modern gamers with slick modern pixel art, tight yet simple controls, and adrenaline-pumping action.
- Roguelite challenge to get your claws into!
- Two Player Co-Op Arcade mode: Double the kitty chaos! Share weapons and work together to take down the evil machines or go into competitive co-op!
- One button action makes the controls kitty simple to master, with a “Stack-em-up” weapons system.
- Sci-Fi mystery lore led by a sassy, feline badass packed with cat-tastic quips and purr-fect puns at every turn! Coupled with her logical thinking robot companion makes for fun character moments designed to delight and surprise!
- Unlock each level as you progress, with the freedom to replay levels anytime.
- Earn Steam achievements and become the cat who got the cream!
- Challenging end of level bosses will leave you feline amazed!
- Battle through ten incredible levels—from deep space and mechanical worlds to Earth’s skies, underwater realms, sprawling cities, and beyond!
- Enjoy four to six hours of action-packed gameplay, with even more hours to sink in through skill mastery, level replays, unlockables & additional game modes.
- Hi-Score leaderboard with Time (hello speed-runs!)
- Unleash powerups such as the Catnip Mode (Bullet time in space!)
- Banging synth-wave retro cool soundtrack by Venice Bleach.
As HaZ Dulull says, he wants to bring back the spirit of gaming’s golden age, where you could just “pick up a game, play, and have fun without it being so time-consuming or overwhelming.”
It sounds like a pure, unadulterated shot of retro fun—provided you can tolerate the copious amounts of wordplay. Time to download that demo and see how it feels!
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Christian Cawley is a writer and editor who covers consumer electronics, IT, and entertainment media. He has written for publications such as Computer Weekly, Linux Format, MakeUseOf.com, and Tech Radar.
He also produces podcasts, has a cigar box guitar, and of course, loves retro gaming.