Asterism

About

Asterism is a single player action game. It was developed by Claire Morwood and was released on January 17, 2025. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

A distant echo of a forgotten melody. A flickering star in the night sky. The weight of an unanswered question... Immerse yourself in the cosmic symphony of Asterism - a playable indie-rock concept album set in outer space. Follow astronaut Ruby as she embarks on an emotional journey of self-discovery through a stunning, hand-crafted solar system, unlocking a playable music video with each planet…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

100%

Audience ScoreBased on 23 reviews

music6 positive mentions

Asterism offers a unique, innovative indie experience blending interactive art, handcrafted visuals, and an indie-rock soundtrack, creating an immersive and captivating journey.
The game’s diverse and surreal art styles employ mixed media such as claymation, crochet, origami, and drawn animation, which effectively complement and enhance each unique musical track.
Minimalist gameplay elements and gentle mini-games allow players to focus on the music, visuals, and atmosphere, making it accessible and engaging whether playing like a game or simply enjoying it as an interactive album.

The narrative and character development are minimal and may leave some players feeling emotionally disconnected until the very end.
Gameplay elements are light and sometimes feel like distractions rather than core features, which may disappoint players expecting traditional game mechanics or more challenge.
Some may find the avant-garde, abstract style and the unconventional form less appealing if craving AAA production values or a compelling, conventional storyline.

music
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
82%
The music in Asterism is a standout feature, with 12 original, haunting, and introspective tracks that perfectly complement the game's surreal visuals and unique art styles. Each planet serves as a playable music video, offering diverse sounds and immersive experiences that engage players whether they choose to actively play or simply listen. Overall, the soundtrack is praised for its creativity, variety, and seamless integration with gameplay and storytelling.
- “Each of the planets you visit are essentially playable music videos, which, taken together, tell an engaging story that ends rather brilliantly.”
- “The songs are haunting, the visuals a throwback to the early 90s, and the whole thing is quite unlike anything else you've played.”
- “Many different materials and techniques have been used in making this game which has a soundtrack of 12 thought-provoking, original songs also by Claire Morwood.”
graphics
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
61%
17%
The graphics in Asterism are highly distinctive and diverse, featuring handcrafted, mixed-media visuals like claymation, crochet, and drawn art that create a tactile, surreal aesthetic. Each level offers a unique art style that perfectly complements the music, delivering an immersive, indie passion project experience rather than AAA polish. This innovative and vibrant visual approach enhances the game's music-driven atmosphere, making it a standout for players seeking originality over traditional narrative or graphical realism.
- “It looks lovely, with the variations of visuals ranging from traditional hand-drawn animation to plasticine model work to cut-out paper to full motion video.”
- “The songs are haunting, the visuals a throwback to the early 90s, and the whole thing is quite unlike anything else you've played.”
- “The handcrafted, mixed media art styles are all incredibly tactile and beautifully messy.”
- “The visuals – created by Morwood – are trippy and diverse, using claymation, drawn images, crochet, CGI, origami, photography, and video – very diverse in terms of the media it utilizes.”
story
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The game's story centers on a compelling mystery conveyed through music, visuals, and brief narrative segments, creating an immersive experience focused on themes of isolation and self-discovery. While traditional gameplay elements are minimal, the integration of playable music videos from different planets advances the plot in a unique, artistic way. Some players wished for deeper interpersonal storytelling, but overall, the story effectively complements the alternative-rock soundtrack and atmospheric presentation.
- “The mystery at the heart of the game will hook you in from the start and forms the core of a beautiful story.”
- “Each of the planets you visit are essentially playable music videos, which, taken together, tell an engaging story that ends rather brilliantly.”
- “The minimal, chill gameplay helps it to be super immersive just taking in the music, the vibes, and the story, and also all of the irl handcrafted assets that look so cool.”
- “Between each planet, there are messages from others from your home-base solar lab that advance the story; but really, this is about the music and the visuals that accompany the music, with narrative on the side.”
- “The main story is light on traditional gameplay elements, but the interactivity of the music and movement kept me fully engaged, and there’s some more ‘gamey’ elements on offer if you’re a trophy seeker.”
- “The plot sounds simple - find the location of strange radio signals coming from somewhere in the solar system.”
gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
The gameplay of Asterism is minimal yet immersive, featuring handcrafted visuals and unique music that create distinct experiences for each level. While traditional gameplay elements are light, interactive music and varied mini-games offer engaging mechanics that complement the art and story. The focus on atmosphere and subtle interactivity makes the gameplay a cohesive part of the overall sensory experience.
- “Asterism is a truly unique experience; its handcrafted visuals make every level feel unique, and the music and gameplay of each place we visit pull you into its own world.”
- “Every song and level is unique, and each new art style and little mechanic for each one was such a nice surprise.”
- “Going through several mini-games with unique art styles and gameplay mechanics, you experience an immersion with the music that's being played.”
- “The main story is light on traditional gameplay elements, but the interactivity of the music and movement kept me fully engaged, and there’s some more ‘gamey’ elements on offer if you’re a trophy seeker.”
- “The gameplay is minimal, but it doesn't overshadow the main spectacle of the visuals and the music.”
- “Each song is really unique in sound, look, and gameplay.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users find the emotional aspect of the game somewhat lacking in engagement until the latter part, where deeper revelations and reconnections create a more impactful and meaningful experience.
- “It only starts getting emotionally engaging for me towards the very end when we come across another figure and the revelations start coming out about a past forgotten and reconnecting.”