Astro Duel 2

About

Astro Duel 2 is a single player and multiplayer platformer game. It was developed by Rusty Moyher and was released on March 7, 2024. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Astro Duel 2 is a sci-fi combat game where up to 6 players can battle in both space and on foot, with support for bots and co-op play. Choose from various elite Nano Fighters and engage in versatile battles, seamlessly transitioning between space flight and platform fighting in gravity zones. The game features various modes such as Versus, Bounty, and Cash Grab, each with unique objectives and gameplay mechanics."

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100%

Audience ScoreBased on 82 reviews

gameplay6 positive mentions

monetization4 negative mentions

Astro Duel 2 offers a unique blend of fast-paced couch co-op gameplay with a dynamic ship and pilot combat system, making for thrilling and unpredictable matches.
The game features excellent sound design, polished controls, and a variety of modes and power-ups that enhance replayability and keep gameplay fresh.
It supports local multiplayer and remote play, allowing for fun experiences with friends, and the art style and music contribute to an engaging atmosphere.

Some players find the aiming mechanics unintuitive, particularly those accustomed to right stick aiming from other games.
The game lacks built-in online multiplayer, which could limit its appeal for those looking for online play options.
Pricing concerns were raised, as similar games offer more content at a lower cost, leading to some hesitation about the game's value.

gameplay
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
73%
9%
The gameplay is centered around vehicle-based mechanics, seamlessly integrating pilot and ship modes in a fast-paced, couch-coop fighting environment. Players can enjoy a variety of maps and game modes, with tight controls and a high skill ceiling that encourages strategic depth. The game supports up to six players, offering both competitive and cooperative experiences, making it an engaging arcade-style party game that is easy to pick up yet rich in complexity.
- “The game is polished, the controls and mechanics are tight, and the map and game mode variety keep play interesting.”
- “An awesome arcade-style party game that you can pick up and have a good time with immediately, but has a surprising amount of strategic and mechanical depth.”
- “The pick-up-and-play element here is unmatched where you can immediately jump into rounds without too much fuss, but the gameplay is dynamic in presentation, variable power-ups and stages, that sessions often last 1-2 hours because you keep wanting to start a new round after the old one ends.”
- “The gameplay has way more depth than is necessary.”
- “The pick-up-and-play element here is unmatched where you can immediately jump into rounds without too much fuss, but the gameplay is dynamic in presentation, variable power-ups, and stages, that sessions often last 1-2 hours because you keep wanting to start a new round after the old one ends.”
- “Moving between pilot and ship mode feels seamless, and there are so many little combat quirks and counters that make the gameplay deeper than you'd expect.”
music
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
45%
15%
The music and sound design in the game are highly praised, with reviewers noting a diverse and engaging soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Unique tracks accompany each stage, contributing to a vibrant atmosphere, while the pixel aesthetic complements the "chunky" and "crunchy" soundscapes. Many players specifically highlight a favorite tune reminiscent of classic Zelda shop music, emphasizing the soundtrack's appeal and freshness.
- “The music and sound design are excellent, and the combat is smooth and satisfying.”
- “All stages include pleasant moving sprites in the background that make each one feel unique – along with unique music tracks.”
- “The music is all bops too.”
- “Music hasn’t grown stale.”
- “Loving the delicious chunky pixels and crunchy thumping soundtrack.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The graphics are praised for their retro pixel aesthetic, which is described as unique and well-executed. Users appreciate the responsive controls and the fun design of weapons and power-ups, complemented by high-quality music. Overall, the visual style enhances the gameplay experience significantly.
- “The retro graphics are spot on, controls are responsive, weapons and power-ups are fun, and the instant replay gives you another chance to brag about your fantastic kill.”
- “The art style for all of these is pretty unique.”
- “Loved the pixel aesthetic and the music was top tier.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The story aspect of the game is engaging, featuring a dynamic backstory that allows players to switch between flight and pilot execution modes while unlocking various bounties, hacks, and mission types. This variety enhances the overall gameplay experience, making it enjoyable for players on platforms like the Steam Deck.
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect features a "Cash Grab" mode, which introduces a competitive gameplay style where players race against friends to collect floating bags of cash. This mode is noted for its engaging soundtrack, reminiscent of cheerful tunes from Zelda games.
- “Cash grab mode: there is also a totally separate versus style gameplay that has you pitted against your friends to rescue these floating bags of cash.”
- “Cash grab also has my favorite song on the soundtrack: this chummy little tune that sounds like those tracks you hear in Zelda shops.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is noted for its impressive stability, with users highlighting a lack of bugs, particularly in the user interface.
- “This game is also surprisingly bug-free when it comes to the UI.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its lighthearted and silly nature, with players often experiencing amusing accidental self-kills that contribute to a more relaxed gaming atmosphere compared to more serious titles like Samurai Gunn.
- “It also allows for hilarious accidental self-kills; it is sillier and therefore more relaxed than a game like Samurai Gunn.”