AIGameGuides.com v4/27/2025

Astebros is a 16-bit roguelite platformer developed for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Nintendo Switch, PC, and other platforms developed by Neofid Studios and published by PixelHeart. It features three playable characters (Knight, Ranger, Mage), procedural dungeons, boss fights, and co-op gameplay. This guide will help you navigate its challenges, optimize your runs, and conquer the kingdom of Asteborg!

Overview

•Genre: Roguelite / Platformer

•Developer: Neofid Studios | Web | Youtube | Twitter | facebook | Discord

•PUBLISHER: PixelHeart | Web | Youtube | Twitter | facebook

•Premise: Explore the early kingdom of Asteborg, choosing one of three heroes to battle through randomly generated dungeons, defeat bosses, and uncover secrets—solo or with a friend.

•Core Mechanics: Procedural levels, permanent upgrades, resource collection (coins, materials, power orbs), and character-specific abilities.

Astebros Plot

"Astebros" tells the story of the early kingdom of Asteborg. The game revolves around three heroes exploring newly discovered lands, specifically delving into procedurally generated dungeons. The narrative involves combating various foes, defeating bosses to collect power orbs, and uncovering secrets within these dungeons. The plot is light, focusing more on the adventure and less on deep narrative threads, providing a backdrop for the gameplay which emphasizes exploration and combat.

Development Innovations

•Retro Aesthetic with Modern Gameplay: While designed for the Sega Genesis, the game's mechanics and visuals evoke a sense of nostalgia while incorporating modern roguelite elements like procedural generation.

•Co-op Support: Adding local co-op in a game designed for an older console's hardware is a significant technical achievement.

•Community Engagement: Neofid Studios leveraged Kickstarter for funding, allowing for direct community input in development, including features like character designs and game mechanics.

•Soundtrack and Audio: The game features a memorable chiptune soundtrack that complements its retro feel while offering a modern composition quality, enhancing the atmosphere without modern hardware.

•Pixel Art Mastery: The art style not only pays homage to the 16-bit era but pushes the boundaries of what was typically seen on the Genesis/Mega Drive, with detailed sprites and animations.

•Community Involvement: Stretch goals from Kickstarter included player-suggested features, from additional content to quality-of-life improvements, showing a strong developer-community relationship.

Choosing Your Hero

Each of the three heroes has unique strengths and playstyles. Pick one that suits your preferred approach:

Knight  

•Strengths: High durability, strong melee attacks, excels at close-range combat.  

•Weaknesses: Slow movement, limited range, struggles against fast or ranged enemies.  

•Best For: Players who enjoy tanking hits and mastering precise melee timing.  

•Tip: Focus on health upgrades and defensive items early to maximize survivability.

Ranger  

•Strengths: Balanced stats, ranged attacks with a bow, good mobility with a dash.  

•Weaknesses: Moderate damage output, less effective in tight spaces.  

•Best For: Players who like adaptability and keeping enemies at a distance.  

•Tip: Prioritize movement speed and attack speed upgrades to kite enemies effectively.

Mage  

•Strengths: Powerful ranged magic, area-of-effect spells, high damage potential.  

•Weaknesses: Fragile, slower attack animations, mana-dependent.  

•Best For: Players who prefer strategic, long-range combat and don’t mind managing resources.  

•Tip: Seek mana regeneration items and stay cautious in close quarters.

•Starting Recommendation: If you’re new, try the Ranger for a balanced introduction. The Mage is great once you’re comfortable with positioning, while the Knight is ideal for aggressive players.

Core Gameplay Tips

Exploration

•Search Thoroughly: Every room in a dungeon can hide coins, materials, or secrets (e.g., breakable walls or hidden passages). Explore every corner before moving on.

•Die to Learn: Early runs are about unlocking permanent upgrades and NPCs in camp. Don’t fear death—it’s progress!

•Pantry First: Start with the Pantry dungeon to unlock key NPCs like the fairy (for heart upgrades) and blacksmith (for weapon upgrades).

Resource Management

•Coins: Spend on temporary buffs (e.g., health potions) or save for permanent upgrades at camp.

•Materials: Used for equipment upgrades. Prioritize weapons over armor early on.

•Power Orbs: Dropped by bosses, these unlock new abilities or areas in camp (e.g., locked doors to the left). Collect as many as possible.

Combat

•Learn Enemy Patterns: Each enemy type has predictable moves. Watch and adapt—dodging is often better than trading hits.

•Boss Fights: Study attack telegraphs. Most bosses have a wind-up phase—use this to reposition or counterattack.

•Co-op Advantage: If playing with a friend, coordinate roles (e.g., Knight tanks, Mage deals damage).

More Tips for Playing Astebros

•Character Choice: Choose from Knight, Ranger, or Mage, each offering different playstyles. The Knight is a balanced fighter, the Ranger excels in ranged combat, and the Mage has powerful spells but less health.

•Resource Management: Coins and materials are crucial for upgrading equipment. Always prioritize upgrades that suit your playstyle.

•Learning Patterns: Bosses have patterns; observe and adapt your strategy accordingly. Power orbs from bosses not only give you immediate boosts but can be used for permanent upgrades.

•First Boss (Boar): Learn to dodge its charge attack and use your environment. With the Knight, block when possible; the Ranger should use the terrain for cover, and the Mage should time spells for when the boss is vulnerable.

•Later Bosses: Each has unique mechanics. For instance, fire-based enemies require you to use water or ice elements if available. Always observe for a pattern before attacking.

•Co-op Play: Playing with a friend can make the game easier but also more fun, as you can cover each other's weaknesses.

•Upgrade Wisely: Permanent upgrades at the camp are essential. Use your power orbs to unlock new paths and abilities that persist between runs.

•Explore Thoroughly: Secrets are hidden throughout the dungeons. They can range from items that give you an edge in combat to lore that enriches the game's backstory.

•Adapt Your Strategy: Each character has unique mechanics. For example, the Mage needs to manage mana carefully, while the Ranger should focus on maintaining distance and using the environment.

•Replay for Mastery: The roguelite nature means the game gets easier as you learn enemy patterns and optimize your run strategy.

•Cool Gameplay Videos:

▪ Astebros is a Retro Inspired Fantasy Platformer by Game Developer Neofid Studios

▪This NEW SEGA Genesis Game Got Me HOOKED! Astebros Also On Nintendo Switch & Steam!

▪Astebros (Homebrew) Genesis - Walkthrough (Full Game)

Progression & Upgrades

Permanent Upgrades

•Hearts: Buy from fairies during runs to increase max HP. Look for them in shops or secret rooms.

•Weapons: Visit the blacksmith in camp to upgrade damage. Blueprints (e.g., Glitched Sword, Ragnarok) are scattered across dungeons—collect them!

•Abilities: Unlock double jump, dash, and other skills by opening locked doors in camp with power orbs.

Run-Specific Items

•Fairies: Boost health permanently—buy whenever possible.

•Avoid Cursed Items: Devils or vampires might offer power at a cost (e.g., reduced health). Skip unless you’re confident.

Key Weapons:  

•Ragnarok (Knight): High damage, good for early bosses.  

•Glitched Sword (Knight): Top-tier weapon—prioritize finding its blueprint.  

•Ranger and Mage equivalents exist but vary by run—experiment!

Dungeon Strategies

•Pantry: Easiest starting point. Focus on survival and resource collection. First boss is manageable with basic gear.

•Later Dungeons: Increase in difficulty—unlock the dungeon map in camp (via orbs) to plan routes and avoid dead ends.

•Random Layouts: Adapt to each run. If a layout feels too tough, consider restarting after grabbing key items.

Advanced Tips

•Kiting: Especially with Ranger or Mage, lure enemies into open areas to avoid being cornered.

•Orb Hunting: The more orbs you collect, the more camp options unlock. Aim to defeat every boss per run.

•Co-op Synergy: Pair complementary heroes (e.g., Knight + Mage) for optimal coverage.

•Glitch Exploit: Some players report the Glitched Sword can trivialize fights—use it if you find it, but don’t rely on it patching out.

Beating the Game

•Length: Takes 5-7 hours for a full run once proficient.

•Final Stretch: Stockpile health, upgrade your weapon fully, and use the dungeon map to navigate efficiently.

•Mindset: Persistence is key. Each death teaches you something—whether it’s a new enemy move or a hidden upgrade.

Astebros Basic Walkthrough

1.Starting Out: Select your character based on your preferred playstyle. Each character starts with unique abilities and weapons.

2.Navigating Dungeons: Each dungeon level is different. Explore to find coins, materials, and secrets. Look for power-ups and upgrades before tackling tougher enemies or bosses.

3.Boss Encounters: Boss fights are key to progress. Use your character's abilities wisely; for instance, the Mage should save mana for critical moments, while the Ranger might focus on keeping distance.

4.Mid-Game Strategy: By this point, you should have unlocked several permanent upgrades. Focus on those that increase your survivability and damage output.

5.Level Progression: After defeating a boss, you'll move to the next dungeon, but upon death or completion, you'll return to the hub where you can spend your resources. The game encourages multiple runs to master the dungeons and bosses.

6.Late Game: Here, you'll encounter tougher enemies and bosses with complex patterns. This is where your knowledge of the game's mechanics and your character's abilities will be truly tested.

7.Final Boss: Prepare for a multi-phase fight where understanding each phase's attack pattern is crucial. Use all your accumulated knowledge and resources here.

Miscellaneous

•Save System: Progress (permanent upgrades, camp unlocks) persists between runs, but in-dungeon progress resets on death. Plan accordingly.

•Retro Charm: Embrace the 16-bit difficulty—patience and precision are your allies.