Astebreed: Definitive Edition on Steam - User reviews, Price & Information

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Climb into the cockpit of an otherworldly war machine and fly into battle against a horrifying alien race bent on eradicating humanity to preserve their own civilization.

Astebreed: Definitive Edition is a spectacle fighter, shoot 'em up and bullet hell game developed by Edelweiss and published by PLAYISM.
Released on May 30th 2014 is available only on Windows in 3 languages: English, Japanese and Simplified Chinese.

It has received 1,570 reviews of which 1,384 were positive and 186 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. 😎

The game is currently priced at 4.99€ on Steam with a 75% discount.


The Steam community has classified Astebreed: Definitive Edition into these genres:

Media & Screenshots

Get an in-depth look at Astebreed: Definitive Edition through various videos and screenshots.

System requirements

These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.

Windows
  • OS *: Windows XP/Vista/7/8
  • Processor: Core 2 Duo or faster
  • Graphics: Shader Model 3.0 compatible, GeForce 8600GT (2007 model) or better
  • DirectX: Version 9.0
  • Additional Notes: Controller recommended

User reviews & Ratings

Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.

Jan. 2026
Continuing my crawl thru the backlog, Astebreed is a really cool but short on rails mecha schmup. The Story isn't anything special but the visuals and art are what stand out in this game. The backgrounds shift cinematically thru the maps, flying around large spaceships, ancient infrastructure, and looks cool as hell. Music is good and voice acting is nice. Id say grab it when its on sale, enjoyed the short time I had with it
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Nov. 2025
Quite a good game. Fairly straightforward pick up and play with a good story
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Nov. 2025
Astebreed: Definitive Edition is a tightly crafted mech-based shoot ’em up that focuses on speed, spectacle, and constant forward momentum. Its design fuses traditional bullet-hell elements with modern presentation, creating an experience that feels both familiar and distinctly contemporary. From the opening seconds, the game establishes a rapid pace that rarely slows, relying on smooth transitions between scenes rather than hard level breaks. The story centers on a young pilot operating an advanced mech known as the Crossbreed, with anime-styled cutscenes and dialogue woven directly into the action. Narrative delivery is fast and sometimes hectic, but it reinforces the game’s emphasis on movement and urgency. The emotional beats are straightforward, focused on duty, partnership, and the broader conflict between humanity and alien forces. Combat blends ranged and melee tools in a way that stands out from typical shoot ’em ups. Your mech can fire precise shots, wide spreads, and energy blades that slice through enemies at close range. This combination encourages constant repositioning and makes battles feel dynamic rather than purely about dodging patterns. The lock-on mechanic is especially effective, enabling efficient targeting amid chaotic enemy swarms. Enemy design emphasizes visual clarity. Even when the screen fills with particles, lasers, and explosions, attack telegraphs remain readable. This allows for a fast but fair difficulty curve. On higher settings, survival depends on mastering proximity attacks and learning when to switch between aggressive offense and evasive maneuvers. The presentation is polished, with fluid 3D models and detailed environments that shift perspective during combat. The camera frequently rotates to showcase the scale of battles, turning standard side-scrolling or vertical sequences into cinematic set pieces. These transitions are seamless, reinforcing the sense that the player is part of a continuous mission rather than isolated stages. Sound design supports the pace with synth-driven tracks that intensify during boss battles. Weapon effects and mech movements carry a strong mechanical punch, complementing the visual impact of the action. While the voice acting is energetic, it can be overwhelming for players who prefer cleaner soundscapes during gameplay. Astebreed: Definitive Edition succeeds by refining core shoot ’em up mechanics and presenting them with a high level of audiovisual polish. Its short runtime is offset by replay value, multiple difficulty modes, and score-chasing incentives. For players who enjoy fast, stylish, and mechanically diverse action, it remains a noteworthy entry in the genre.
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Nov. 2025
Astebreed: Definitive Edition, developed by Edelweiss and published by PLAYISM, is an exhilarating fusion of classic shoot ’em up intensity and modern cinematic spectacle. It takes the spirit of old-school arcade shooters and injects it with the heart and energy of a mecha anime, resulting in a fast, fluid, and visually explosive experience. The game places you in control of a powerful humanoid mech as you battle against a relentless alien force threatening humanity. Though the story itself follows familiar science fiction beats—a desperate fight for survival, mysterious enemies, and the will to protect—the way it’s delivered makes it stand apart. From its sweeping camera angles to its voice-acted narrative and symphonic soundtrack, Astebreed feels less like a traditional arcade shooter and more like being thrown into the climax of an epic anime episode that never lets up. What immediately distinguishes Astebreed from most other games in its genre is its ability to merge multiple perspectives seamlessly during gameplay. The camera fluidly transitions between side-scrolling, vertical, and over-the-shoulder angles without breaking the pace, constantly reshaping how you perceive and respond to the battlefield. These shifts are not just visual flair—they fundamentally change how you engage enemies, adding variety and dynamism to each level. It’s a rare case where cinematic presentation enhances gameplay rather than detracting from it, creating moments that feel grand and immersive while still maintaining precision and control. The result is an experience that manages to feel both arcade-tight and narratively expressive, something that few shoot ’em ups have achieved. Mechanically, Astebreed offers much more depth than its explosive visuals might suggest. While the genre is typically defined by dodging bullets and maintaining perfect aim, this game introduces a versatile combat system that blends ranged attacks, lock-on missiles, and close-range sword strikes. The sword mechanic in particular adds a welcome layer of strategy and aggression—you can use it to cut through enemies or even deflect incoming projectiles, giving skilled players a defensive and offensive advantage simultaneously. The addition of a regenerating shield also distinguishes Astebreed from traditional one-hit-kill shooters, making it more approachable without sacrificing tension. As you progress, the combination of dashing, locking on to multiple enemies, and timing your melee counters creates a rhythm of movement that feels exhilaratingly fluid, almost like a dance of destruction across space. The Definitive Edition refines the original release with sharper visuals, smoother performance, and improved controller support, making an already polished game feel even more responsive. The presentation is simply stunning for an indie title—explosions fill the screen with vivid color, particle effects rain down with dazzling precision, and the mechs themselves are intricately designed, evoking the craftsmanship of classic anime. The soundtrack complements this spectacle beautifully, alternating between driving electronic beats and heroic orchestral scores that match the intensity of each battle. Every moment feels charged with momentum, and the sound design—engines roaring, lasers slicing through enemies, and metal clashing in space—helps reinforce that sense of urgency and power. It’s a feast for the senses that manages to stay coherent even at its busiest, a testament to Edelweiss’s careful attention to balance and clarity amid chaos. The story of Astebreed, while not groundbreaking, serves its purpose well as a dramatic backdrop to the action. Told through a mix of real-time dialogue and brief cutscenes, it centers on a young pilot caught in a war against an alien civilization that threatens humanity’s existence. Themes of sacrifice, courage, and connection permeate the narrative, and though the pacing sometimes feels secondary to the action, it gives context to the player’s mission. The Japanese voice acting adds an authentic anime tone to the experience, though players may find it challenging to follow the rapid dialogue and read subtitles during the most intense moments. Even so, the sincerity of the performances and the sense of scale help ground the story emotionally, elevating what could have been a generic setup into something more heartfelt. From a gameplay perspective, Astebreed’s pacing and balance make it accessible without diluting the challenge. The early stages ease you into its mechanics, allowing you to familiarize yourself with the controls before the screen begins filling with waves of enemies and dazzling barrages of projectiles. While the regenerating shield system reduces frustration, it doesn’t eliminate the need for precision—survival still depends on awareness, reflexes, and efficient use of your abilities. Later levels introduce increasingly complex attack patterns and boss fights that test your mastery of every system, rewarding persistence and skillful play. The difficulty curve feels fair, offering a rewarding challenge rather than punishing trial-and-error frustration. If Astebreed has one notable shortcoming, it’s the brevity of its main campaign. A skilled player can complete the story in a few hours, and while there are multiple difficulty settings and scoring systems that encourage replay, the core content remains relatively compact. The levels, though visually diverse and constantly shifting in perspective, can begin to feel formulaic once you’ve mastered their patterns. However, this brevity also contributes to the game’s tight pacing—it never overstays its welcome, instead delivering a concentrated burst of energy that remains engaging from start to finish. For those who enjoy chasing high scores, perfecting runs, or replaying for improved performance, the game’s replay value extends well beyond its short runtime. Ultimately, Astebreed: Definitive Edition is a remarkable example of how to modernize a classic genre without losing its essence. It pays homage to traditional arcade shooters while pushing the boundaries of what they can look and feel like. The combination of exhilarating combat, cinematic presentation, and emotional sincerity makes it stand out among its peers. It’s a game that rewards both precision and spectacle—a blend of tight mechanics and artistic flair that captures the best of both worlds. For players who love fast-paced action, mecha aesthetics, and visually stunning experiences, Astebreed is not just a recommendation but an essential journey. It’s a brief but unforgettable explosion of style, energy, and craftsmanship that proves even in a genre built on repetition, innovation and heart can still shine brightly. Rating: 8/10
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Aug. 2025
got an itch for shmups after recently playing Angel at Dusk, this definitely scratches the itch, gameplay encourages frequent use of your entire arsenal which is always a good time, only issue i had was projectile readability in the final few stages wasn't that great
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Frequently Asked Questions

Astebreed: Definitive Edition is currently priced at 4.99€ on Steam.

Astebreed: Definitive Edition is currently available at a 75% discount. You can purchase it for 4.99€ on Steam.

Astebreed: Definitive Edition received 1,384 positive votes out of a total of 1,570 achieving a rating of 8.40.
😎

Astebreed: Definitive Edition was developed by Edelweiss and published by PLAYISM.

Astebreed: Definitive Edition is playable and fully supported on Windows.

Astebreed: Definitive Edition is not playable on MacOS.

Astebreed: Definitive Edition is not playable on Linux.

Astebreed: Definitive Edition is a single-player game.

There is a DLC available for Astebreed: Definitive Edition. Explore additional content available for Astebreed: Definitive Edition on Steam.

Astebreed: Definitive Edition does not support mods via Steam Workshop.

Astebreed: Definitive Edition does not support Steam Remote Play.

Astebreed: Definitive Edition is enabled for Steam Family Sharing. This means you can share the game with authorized users from your Steam Library, allowing them to play it on their own accounts. For more details on how the feature works, you can read the original Steam Family Sharing announcement or visit the Steam Family Sharing user guide and FAQ page.

You can find solutions or submit a support ticket by visiting the Steam Support page for Astebreed: Definitive Edition.

Data sources

The information presented on this page is sourced from reliable APIs to ensure accuracy and relevance. We utilize the Steam API to gather data on game details, including titles, descriptions, prices, and user reviews. This allows us to provide you with the most up-to-date information directly from the Steam platform.

Additionally, we incorporate data from the SteamSpy API, which offers insights into game sales and player statistics. This helps us present a comprehensive view of each game's popularity and performance within the gaming community.

Last Updates
Steam data 23 January 2026 11:24
SteamSpy data 25 January 2026 18:39
Steam price 28 January 2026 20:44
Steam reviews 27 January 2026 11:55

If you'd like to dive deeper into the details about Astebreed: Definitive Edition, we invite you to check out a few dedicated websites that offer extensive information and insights. These platforms provide valuable data, analysis, and user-generated reports to enhance your understanding of the game and its performance.

  • SteamDB - A comprehensive database of everything on Steam about Astebreed: Definitive Edition
  • SteamCharts - Analysis of Astebreed: Definitive Edition concurrent players on Steam
  • ProtonDB - Crowdsourced reports on Linux and Steam Deck Astebreed: Definitive Edition compatibility
Astebreed: Definitive Edition
Rating
8.4
1,384
186
Game modes
Features
Online players
2
Developer
Edelweiss
Publisher
PLAYISM
Release 30 May 2014
Platforms
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