Astora (demo)

A 2D action-adventure shooter with a retro heart and a bulletstorm soul.

Astora drops you into the chaos of a medieval castle overrun by technology and haunted remnants of the past. Play as a nameless hero armed with steel and firepower, storming the gates while dodging bullets from ghostly red spirits and gun-wielding guards. Battle through a courtyard teeming with enemies, then face off against The Parallax Core, a massive sentient machine wielding twin cannons, and the force behind the castle’s corruption.

Inspired by Enter the Gungeon, Astora features fast-paced action, no hand-holding, and a difficulty curve that rewards quick reflexes and persistence. Players can pick up powerups like Speed Boosts (for rapid movement) and Fire Rate Boosts (to blast enemies faster), and switch between two distinct weapons:

• A gun that fires standard bullets

• A bow with piercing arrows that cut through enemies in a straight line

This game was created as a class project by a team of four students learning game development for the first time.

While it’s a rough demo with a few bugs, Astora is a fun, challenging ride that captures the energy of old-school shooters with a modern twist. Perfect for fans of indie bullet-hell games or retro-inspired adventures.