Cat-Astrophy, a pixel art space action roguelite, is out now on Xbox, Steam, Nintendo Switch and PlayStation, and the list price is $14.99. Xbox Wire published a developer diary on November 6, 2026 that explains how its module system makes every run play differently.

You control Polo, a cat who was abducted, and you travel through procedurally generated planets while combining abilities, choosing routes and mastering jumps. According to Heraan Studios, the more you play, the more of Polo’s past you uncover. Steam lists a release date of November 4, while the Deku Deals tracker lists the console versions for November 5.

What kind of game is Cat-Astrophy?

It is a fast-paced, challenging roguelite where death is permanent, according to the Xbox Wire listing. The developer says dying means learning, reconfiguring and trying again with a new approach. The main features the listing names are:

  • Procedurally generated planets with changing rooms, routes and secrets
  • Combat aimed with the Star Cursor while Polo keeps moving
  • Modules that alter abilities and create different builds every run
  • Permanent upgrades bought with star fragments
  • Parkour and platforming sections that blend with combat
  • A cosmic pixel art look with alien creatures
  • A mystery about why Polo was abducted

How do modules change each run?

Modules modify specific abilities, stats or systems, and the developer says you do not need to decide your build before you start. Some modules favour close-range combat, while others lean towards mobility, defence or a more strategic style.

The interesting part, according to developer Aarón Hernández, is when modules stop working alone. Some can evolve, and others hide synergies that only appear when you combine them. An upgrade that looks simple can end up changing how you move, attack or cross a room.

How does combat work?

Attacks are directional and can be customised for forward, upward and downward strikes. Each direction has its own variants, and each can create synergies with your modules.

Fatigue also builds up as you chain attacks together. That means holding a combo is not just a matter of repeating one move, and you have to decide when to push and when to stop and regain control. The developer says the system rewards precision and adaptation rather than a single best combination.

Does anything carry over after you die?

Yes. The Star Fragments you collect unlock permanent upgrades, new options and new routes for later runs, even when an expedition ends with Polo’s death. You can also find memory fragments that slowly reveal Polo’s past and the truth behind his abduction. Each attempt therefore has two layers of progress: the build you are making now and the options you are unlocking for later.

Route choice matters too. Each planet has its own mechanics, enemies and rewards, and you pick their order from the ship that serves as your hub. Rooms can hold combat, parkour sections, events, shops and minibosses, and you decide how far to stray from your route for a reward.

Prices

The list price is $14.99 on the Xbox Wire page. Deku Deals, which tracks the US stores, also shows $14.99 on the Nintendo eShop, the PlayStation Store and the Microsoft Store for Xbox Series X|S.

On Steam the game costs $13.49 USD, which is a 10% introductory discount from $14.99, and Steam says the offer ends November 15. A separate soundtrack is listed on Steam for $4.99. Prices outside the US are not given in the sources we read, so check your own store for local pricing.

Who it suits

Roguelite fans. If you enjoy runs that reset but still hand you permanent upgrades, the star fragment system and the route choices are built for that loop. The developer has named The Binding of Isaac, Hollow Knight and Dead Cells as inspirations, according to an interview on All Ages of Geek.

Players who like to experiment. The diary stresses that there is no single correct build. If you enjoy testing odd module combinations and learning why they work, this is the pitch.

Platformer players. Parkour and precise jumps sit next to the combat, so players who like movement challenges will find plenty to chew on.

Who should wait. If you dislike permanent death, or you want a long list of reviews before you buy, hold off. Steam shows only 3 user reviews and no overall score yet.

What is still unknown

The sources do not give a full playtime, the number of planets or modules, or prices in other currencies. The publisher is also named differently across pages, so we have left it out. Read the Steam page or your console store listing for the latest details before you buy.