Astro Burn Demo Released for Retro Side-Scroller

London's fresh-faced game development studio, Beyond The Pixels, is on a mission to bring retro gaming back to life. The team has just unveiled its first project, Astro Burn, accompanied by a playable demo now available on Steam. Described as a high-octane, fur-flying shooter, the game is slated for release on mobile, PC, Mac, and consoles in early 2026.

The studio is under the creative direction of HaZ Dulull, a filmmaker and game director with an impressive portfolio spanning Netflix originals, Disney+ series, Fortnite, Evil Genius 2, and Dune: Awakening. His newest venture focuses on developing original and licensed intellectual properties designed to thrive across games, film, television, and user-generated content platforms.

It's more than just a game

Astro Burn draws inspiration from classic shoot-'em-ups, but true to Dulull's broader vision, it won't be limited to a single medium. The plan involves building expansive narratives that unfold across various formats. Already, an animated television series based on the game is in active development.

Returning to the game itself, players step into the role of Astro, a fearless feline pilot. She is on her way back to Earth after a deep-space mission with her robotic companion, AL. But the homecoming is far from welcoming; she finds the planet dominated by colossal AI war machines, with no human life in sight.

Players will dive into frenetic combat where Astro's nine lives will be constantly challenged in intense bullet-hell encounters against relentless enemy waves. The adventure unfolds across ten unique levels, featuring diverse environments from the void of deep space and mechanical arenas to underwater zones, Earth's skies, and sprawling cityscapes.

Try the Astro Burn demo now

Although mobile store listings are not yet live, Beyond The Pixels has released a demo for Astro Burn on Steam. It's a great opportunity for fans of 16-bit pixel art and science-fiction themes to get an early feel for the action.

The studio also dropped a trailer offering a sneak peek into the game's universe. Watch it below.

Astro Burn will include a two-player cooperative arcade mode. Teammates can share weapons, combine efforts to defeat foes, or face off in competitive battles. For those seeking greater challenges, a roguelite mode is included, complemented by online leaderboards.

That covers our latest update on this eagerly awaited title. Don't miss our next feature on Ninja Arashi 2: Shadow’s Return.