Astra Protocol 2

About

In "Astra Protocol 2," pilot a spaceship through a cassette futurism world, using text commands and a 1980s interface to navigate celestial bodies, monitor ship status, scan for survivors, defend against hostiles, and solve the mystery of the Astra Protocol. Command the spaceship's helm, engineering, science, and ordnance modules to complete your mission. This immersive space adventure offers a unique blend of text-based gameplay and detailed space exploration.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 27 reviews

atmosphere3 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game offers a unique and nostalgic experience reminiscent of 1980s technology and gameplay, appealing to retro enthusiasts.
The aesthetic and atmosphere are highly praised, with many players enjoying the artistic and immersive qualities of the game.
Once players overcome the steep learning curve, they find depth and replayability, making it rewarding for those who enjoy complex simulations.

The game has a very steep learning curve, with a lengthy manual that lacks helpful examples, making it difficult for new players to onboard.
Many players experience frustratingly slow game speeds, especially on high-resolution screens, which detracts from the overall enjoyment.
The interface can be obtuse and unhelpful, leading to confusion and discouragement for players trying to navigate the game's systems.

gameplay
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The gameplay is characterized by a nostalgic yet outdated style, featuring old-school vector graphics and text-driven mechanics that require players to read the manual for guidance. While some find it interesting and layered, many users feel it lacks accessibility and fails to engage modern audiences, leading to a perception of it being nearly extinct by 2025.
- “Old-school vector graphics, completely text-driven gameplay, and you'll actually need to read the manual.”
- “Interesting gameplay, heavily layered.”
- “The gameplay had a high point in the 1970s-early 1980s (think Star Trek on the Sigma 7, or Psi-5 Trading Company), but is almost extinct in 2025.”
- “Ultimately, the gameplay just isn't really my jam.”
- “When I first found it, I thought it was going to be perfect for some nostalgia and then some deep gameplay, but it won't even give me the information I need to get started.”
graphics
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The graphics are praised for their nostalgic aesthetic, reminiscent of early 80s computer visuals, particularly evoking the charm of old-school vector graphics and text-driven gameplay. Reviewers appreciate how the game effectively captures the essence of early computing, creating a unique and immersive experience that encourages exploration and engagement.
- “The aesthetic is amazing.”
- “What an absolute gem of a game, the aesthetic of 'early computers put to use in serious situations' is totally nailed here and after playing for two hours so far I have barely scratched the surface and I'm looking forward to sinking my teeth in more.”
- “This brings me back to the early 80s when I had a Hercules graphics card.”
- “Old-school vector graphics, completely text-driven gameplay, and you'll actually need to read the manual.”
- “The aesthetic of 'early computers put to use in serious situations' is totally nailed here.”
story
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The story revolves around a mysterious event known as the Astra Protocol, linked to a distress beacon of unknown origin. Players engage in a calm yet chaotic exploration of space, scanning various objects to uncover clues, which creates a sense of tension and intrigue as they strive to achieve seemingly impossible mission goals.
- “You can scan your surroundings for objects, target those objects (planets, moons, spaceships, space lifeforms, asteroids, space mines, etc.) and scan them for information as your mission is to find leads which can help you discover the meaning of the Astra Protocol, an unknown event referred to by a space object - inspection determined it is a distress beacon - from an unspecified origin.”
- “You can scan your surroundings for objects, target those objects (planets, moons, spaceships, space lifeforms, asteroids, space mines, etc.) and scan them for information as your mission is to find leads which can help you discover the meaning of the Astra Protocol, which is an unknown event referred to by a space object - inspection determined it is a distress beacon - from unspecified origin.”
- “Feels like a zen koan; everything is so calm, spooky, and at the same time stressful and chaotic, and the mission goals feel almost impossible to accomplish.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game's atmosphere is often praised for its immersive environments, detailed sound design, and evocative visuals that collectively create a compelling sense of place. Players frequently highlight how these elements enhance emotional engagement and contribute to the overall narrative experience. The combination of ambient sounds and striking graphics effectively draws players into the game's world, making it feel alive and dynamic.
- “The game immerses you in a hauntingly beautiful world that feels alive with every detail.”
- “The atmosphere is incredibly rich, with stunning visuals and an evocative soundtrack that pulls you into the experience.”
- “Every corner of the game is filled with a sense of mystery and wonder, making exploration a truly captivating experience.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a cheeky, tongue-in-cheek style that complements its complex spaceship simulator mechanics, creating a unique blend of levity and challenge.
- “There is an interesting spaceship simulator hidden beneath the uncompromising interface and cheek-in-cheek humor.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the game surprisingly deep, offering significant replayability that enhances the overall experience.
- “It has a depth and replayability that you might not expect.”
- “The game offers so many different paths and choices that each playthrough feels unique.”
- “With multiple endings and varied character interactions, I find myself coming back for more.”