Game: Astro Pig
Genre: Action, Puzzle
System: Steam (Windows)
Developer|Publisher: Garoa Studios
Controller Support: Yes
Steam Deck: Tested Playable
Price: US $ 10.00 | UK £ 8.50 | EU € 10,00
Release Date: May 1st, 2024
A review code was provided, with many thanks to Garoa Studios.
Astro Pig, a Cozy Puzzle Platformer
Astro Pig is a relaxing puzzle platformer that is ideal for those looking for a calm experience to dip in and out of from time to time. The plot focuses on a space pig called Buyk as he explores uncharted space, visits various planets, and helps their inhabitants. You do this by solving a few platform puzzles before stumbling on the item they are looking for. There’s plenty of witty dialogue with NPCs and your ship’s hyper-intelligent AI. It’s nothing groundbreaking, but it serves as a nice dressing for the anti-gravity gameplay.
Puzzles
The gameplay’s main focus is puzzle platforming. When you enter a new planet, you will play through single-screen levels where the goal is simply to reach the portal. But first, you usually need to open the portal by collecting keys and connecting them with their locks. Controls are easy to pick up, and Astro Pig gives you simple but effective prompts to get used to the mechanics. It also leaves wiggle room for you to figure things out for yourself.
You navigate around a bit like in Super Mario Galaxy, where each platform has its own centre of gravity, allowing you to walk all the way around without falling off. Before you lead off, a handy cursor will indicate where you are going to head. When you collect a key, you are able to throw it. This can be done from the safety of the platforms, but if you do this while jumping, you will move in the opposite direction you threw the key.
This plays as one of Astro Pig’s main thinking mechanics, challenging the player to think through each step in order to unlock the portal and proceed. Often, you need to take these leaps of faith where you may jump at a 45-degree angle and throw the key towards a lock so you’re then thrown into the exit portal. That or it all goes wrong, and you simply restart from the beginning.
As the game progresses, things become more complex, but I wouldn’t say to the degree things get absurd or too stressful. New features are added, like portals and bubbles, which act as temporary platforms and switches, all of which kept me engaged throughout the experience. The small length of each level makes this quite appealing to busy gamers.
I did find there were times when I hit a wall and couldn’t quite figure out what the game wanted from me. However, with instant load times after failure, I was happy to experiment, and on a few occasions, I seemed to figure out how to get to the portal in a way the level had not necessarily designed, which I liked. I guess one slight niggle is for a game clearly designed for the casual audience. I’m surprised the option to skip a level wasn’t added for those who maybe got completely stuck.
Extra Activities in Astro Pig
There are extra activities to do between levels. You can talk to your ship and chill on a chair and enjoy three retro-style games that are unlocked as you progress through the game. These are basically just high-score chasing mini-games, but they act as a nice break from the main game. If you fancy being really creative you can create your own soundtrack by mixing various mix tapes together and seeing what you come out with. It’s a unique feature I’ve not seen in a game before, and it acts as a nice extra charm that only adds to the laid-back vibes.
I tested Astro Pig on Steam Deck and found it to run absolutely fine, even though it has yet to be verified. Handheld feels like a great fit for this game.
Calming Vibes
Graphics make use of a pleasant 2D-pixel art design. This is a style seen many times in the indie scene, but Astro Pig adds a lot of charm to its presentation to stand above the crowd. It’s the small things like when a level loads; the screen switches from a happy pig face to a distressed face to indicate switching from a chilled to a danger zone. However, I really would not describe levels in Astro Pig as particularly dangerous, as death carries no penalty; you simply respawn at the start of the level.
Other designs I liked include the navigation screen when you travel to new planets having this older style pixel style similar to a GameBoy. As mentioned, the game’s overall design echoes this relaxing vibe to it. This is a game that made me feel calm and settled, thanks to its funky soundtrack. If you like, you can just sit and enjoy this music in Astro Pig’s main menu if you need some nice study or reading music in the background.
Conclusion: When Pigs Fly
Astro Pig is quite the delightful puzzler that will most certainly appeal to those looking for a chilled-out gaming experience. Puzzles are challenging but not frustrating. With its relaxing vibes and soundtrack, this seems an ideal pick-up if you only have a short amount of gaming time to spare. The additional mini-games and the ability to create your own music only add to the charm of the game. If you’re looking for your next feel-good experience to enjoy with a good drink, Astro Pig will take you to the stars for your next gaming session.
Final Verdict: I Like it a Lot
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