Skip to main content

Biota

Metroid-Vania-style games are two-a-penny these days, so does B.I.O.T.A stand-out amongst the pack?
Biota Game Cover
83%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
grinding
90% User Score Based on 136 reviews
Critic Score 67%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

PCSteam DeckWindows
Buy Nowfrom €8.99
Buy NowGet on Steam €8.99Buy NowGet on itch.io Store
Biota Game Cover

About

Biota is a single player casual platformer game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Retrovibe Games and was released on April 12, 2022. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

Biota is a 2D metroidvania inspired shooter set on a wild and dangerous sci-fi, pixel-art planet. Get ready to face hostile alien life forms and investigate a mysterious mining colony as a group of ragtag heroes from the future, all in glorious 4-color palettes and detailed 8-bit visuals.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Biota screenshot
Biota screenshot
Biota screenshot
Biota screenshot
Biota screenshot
Biota screenshot
Biota screenshot
Biota screenshot
Biota screenshot
Biota screenshot
Biota screenshot
+5
Skip User Reviews

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 136 reviews
gameplay17 positive mentions
grinding4 negative mentions
  • Engaging and solid core gameplay with tight controls and satisfying combat.
  • Beautiful and well-crafted pixel art style with a large variety of unlockable and customizable color palettes.
  • Excellent retro-inspired soundtrack that complements the atmosphere and enhances immersion.
  • Clunky and sometimes inconsistent controls, particularly with wall-jumping and input responsiveness.
  • Some vehicle and alternate gameplay sections feel overly long, tedious, or less polished than core gameplay.
  • Limited metroidvania progression with linear level design, keycard gating, and inconvenient save/replay systems impacting exploration and completionists.
  • gameplay
    61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of b.i.o.t.a. is praised for its solid core action-platforming that skillfully blends retro charm with modern mechanics, offering varied combat, strategic character switching, and engaging exploration. While the addition of vehicle segments and alternate gameplay modes provides novelty, these are often seen as inconsistent or less enjoyable compared to the main gameplay. Overall, the gameplay is tight, responsive, and rewarding, though minor control issues and certain gameplay deviations slightly detract from the experience.

    • “Developed by small bros and published by RetroVibe, this is a thrilling 2D action-platformer that successfully captures the spirit of classic retro games while incorporating modern design elements that keep the gameplay fresh and engaging.”
    • “Whether it’s clearing a room of hostile mutants with heavy firepower or solving environmental puzzles using a more agile or specialized team member, the dynamic nature of the gameplay keeps every encounter feeling varied and rewarding.”
    • “The addition of vehicles such as mechs and submarines further expands the gameplay, providing thrilling moments and breaking up the platforming with new mechanics that feel well-integrated and fun.”
    • “Vehicle segments were a bit hit-or-miss. I enjoyed the spaceship bits, but the submarine wasn't particularly fun, and the mech was fine but only iterated on the gameplay towards the end of its segment.”
    • “The game mechanics that try to do something different, like the mech, submarine, and dogfight, were not great.”
    • “While the overall graphical, sound, and gameplay design meet and in many cases exceed expectations, there are too many problems with the controls and mechanics of the game which make it a chore to play.”
  • graphics
    51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game features sharp, colorful pixel art that pays loving homage to 8-bit and 16-bit eras, with highly customizable palettes enhancing visual variety and freshness. Its retro aesthetics, reminiscent of classic handheld consoles, deliver charming and distinct environments, though the limited color schemes may reduce visibility or appeal for some players accustomed to modern high-definition graphics. Overall, the graphics excellently complement the nostalgic sound design and storytelling, creating a cohesive and stylish retro experience.

    • “The graphics are sharp and colorful, with distinct designs for each character, enemy, and environment that prevent the screen from ever feeling cluttered or confusing.”
    • “The graphics are highly customizable, with 24 color palettes available from the start, and a further 30 to unlock while playing.”
    • “Graphically the game is very nice and a nice ode to the 8-bit era; the few colors in the game quickly give you a classic Game Boy Color impression, which is great.”
    • “Additionally, the retro pixel art style, though a deliberate artistic choice, may not appeal to gamers accustomed to modern high-definition graphics, potentially limiting its audience.”
    • “Graphics are 4 colors and the game allows you to choose your favorite palette, which is nice.”
    • “[Bad stuff, not built for long plays since some color palettes can be an eyesore, pixel graphics might be a turn-off for some since 3D games are more mainstream.]”
  • music
    39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its energetic, catchy, and retro-inspired chiptune and synthwave soundtrack that perfectly complements the pixel art and enhances the overall atmosphere. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, with dynamic tracks that reflect the levels and bosses, contributing significantly to the game's nostalgic vibe and immersive experience.

    • “The sound design complements the visuals perfectly with a soundtrack steeped in chiptune and synthwave influences, evoking a strong retro-futuristic vibe that elevates the overall atmosphere.”
    • “The music is energetic and catchy, reinforcing the tension and excitement of each mission without becoming repetitive.”
    • “The gorgeous pixel art really pops on screen and the chiptune synth soundtrack perfectly accompanies the old-school Game Boy feel.”
    • “Music is maddening”
  • story
    29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story is generally praised for its engaging, nostalgic 80s-themed sci-fi setting with multiple endings and choices that impact the narrative, adding replay value. While some find it simple or cliché, many appreciate its charm, genre-blending elements, and how it complements the gameplay without feeling forced. Overall, it provides a solid and enjoyable narrative experience that enriches the game's retro atmosphere.

    • “Its engaging story, varied cast of characters, and versatile gameplay mechanics create a rich and enjoyable experience that rewards both strategy and quick reflexes.”
    • “I liked the gameplay and there are different endings so there's a lot of replayability with this game and it also has a fantastic story; the plot kept me going the whole time.”
    • “Throughout my journey, I was faced with numerous decisions that had a tangible impact on the story and world around me.”
    • “The story barely exists.”
    • “Sound, graphics, and story are serviceable.”
    • “The story is brief, simple, but quite charming, absolutely capturing that retro feel.”
  • replayability
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers strong replayability through meaningful choices that impact outcomes, multiple character options, and diverse modes like arcade and speedrun. Its challenging level design, additional mini-games, and customizable elements further encourage players to return and explore different strategies. Overall, it provides a rich, immersive experience that keeps players engaged over time.

    • “These choices made me feel truly invested in the outcome of the game, adding layers of depth and replayability that kept me coming back for more.”
    • “Additionally, the game includes extra modes such as a shooting gallery and a speedrun mode, which enhance its replayability.”
    • “Don't let this slip, it is a solid and fun game with tight controls, a blast of a soundtrack, good replayability and a ton of palettes to pick from and make it the best option for you.”
  • atmosphere
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is richly immersive, blending retro-futuristic chiptune and synthwave sounds with dark, intriguing visuals to create a captivating sci-fi world. Customizable color palettes further enhance the personalized experience, making the environment both memorable and engaging.

    • “The sound design complements the visuals perfectly with a soundtrack steeped in chiptune and synthwave influences, evoking a strong retro-futuristic vibe that elevates the overall atmosphere.”
    • “Delivers a memorable journey into a dark, atmospheric world filled with danger and intrigue.”
    • “The music and atmosphere are captivating, and the ability to customize the color palette to suit your preferences is a thoughtful touch.”
  • grinding
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Grinding in the game can feel tedious due to unclear vendor purchasing order and the need to farm currency for keys and progression items. However, frequent respawning enemies and chests make impromptu farming opportunities accessible, though the back half of the game’s gimmick-heavy segments may exacerbate grind fatigue.

    • “Because you don't know the order to buy the keys when you find the vendors, it can be tedious to ensure you always have enough currency to buy whatever key you encounter.”
    • “This includes items needed to progress, which means grinding for currency to obtain them.”
    • “Plus, the back half of the game is overloaded with tedious gimmick segments that tested my patience and put me in a bad mood, draining any desire to try the post-game content.”
  • emotional
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional experience is a mix of occasional frustration due to control issues, such as unintended actions, and strong engagement driven by meaningful choices that enhance investment and replayability.

    • “These choices made me feel truly invested in the outcome of the game, adding layers of depth and replayability that kept me coming back for more.”
  • humor
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's humor stands out through its witty and amusing dialogues, which contrast humorously with the tough, heavily armed heroes, adding a lighthearted and entertaining tone.

    • “The heroes of the game are real tough guys with huge weapons and funny dialogues.”
Skip Critic Reviews

67%Critics’ scoreBased on 3 critic reviews
Skip Game Offers

Buy Biota

Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Biota

Games Like Biota

Axiom Verge Image
87%7.4kreviews

Axiom Verge

2015Platformer
Nintendo SwitchPlaystation 5Playstation 4+12
Games like Axiom Verge
Xeodrifter Image
74%898reviews

Xeodrifter

2014Arcade Platformer
Nintendo SwitchPCWii U+7
Games like Xeodrifter
Gato Roboto Image
89%3.6kreviews

Gato Roboto

2019Open World Platformer
Nintendo SwitchPCXbox One+3
Games like Gato Roboto
Out There Somewhere Image
91%5.6kreviews

Out There Somewhere

2016Arcade Platformer
PCMac OSSteam Deck+1
Games like Out There Somewhere
Valdis Story: Abyssal City Image
82%3.3kreviews

Valdis Story: Abyssal City

2013Role Playing
PCMac OSSteam Deck+1
Games like Valdis Story: Abyssal City
More games like Biota
Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Biota is a casual platformer game with science fiction theme.

Biota is available on PC, Steam Deck and Windows.

Biota was released on April 12, 2022.

Biota was developed by Retrovibe Games.

Biota has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked Biota for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

Biota is a single player game.

Similar games include Axiom Verge, Xeodrifter, Gato Roboto, Out There Somewhere, Valdis Story: Abyssal City and others.