Astro Burn leaves early access with a full 1.0 PC release

Beyond The Pixels and Pixel Doors have launched the full 1.0 version of Astro Burn on PC via Steam and GOG. The release brings the cat-themed shoot 'em up out of its initial testing phase and introduces the final narrative conclusion alongside local multiplayer modes.

The game first entered Early Access on Steam back in April 2026. The developers spent the subsequent months tuning the difficulty curve and finalizing the boss encounters before this week's full launch. The final build also carries an Official Selection badge from the London Games Festival 2026.

Weaponized cuteness

The core gameplay loop is a traditional side-scrolling shooter with a heavy emphasis on colorful pixel art and absurd special attacks. You control an astronaut cat navigating through dense waves of enemy ships and projectiles. The developers lean heavily into the feline theme for the combat mechanics.

Instead of standard smart bombs, players can trigger screen-clearing special moves like the Meow Spin Kick to wipe out dense clusters of enemies. This is either genius or madness. Possibly both. The combat requires precise maneuvering through tight bullet patterns before finding the right moment to unleash these heavy attacks on larger targets.

Color coordination

The 1.0 release includes two distinct visual settings that completely change how the game looks. The default Purrismatic mode uses a highly saturated color palette that fills the screen with bright neon projectiles and vibrant backgrounds.

Players who prefer a cleaner screen can switch to the Meownochrome mode. This strips away all the color and replaces it with a high-contrast black and white aesthetic that resembles early handheld games. It works, which is the nicest thing I can say about trying to parse bullet patterns in monochrome. The high contrast actually helps make the enemy fire easier to track when the screen gets entirely covered in hazards.

Couch competition

The biggest addition for the full release is the local competitive co-op mode. Two players can share the screen to tackle the campaign together.

The multiplayer setup forces players to cooperate to survive the boss fights while simultaneously competing for the highest score. You have to balance helping your partner clear the screen with stealing the most valuable enemy kills for yourself.

The GOG and Steam versions are identical in content. The Early Access period clearly helped the team dial in the exact ratio of screen shake to explosions required for a proper arcade shooter.