- A Challenge to Learn From, Not Be Punished By - 3 October 2026
A good challenge should make you better.Difficulty is part of Cat-Astrophy. But to us, a challenging game is not about simply stopping the player from moving forward.A good challenge should ask a question, demand a decision, and most importantly, give you an opportunity to learn from your mistakes.Every failure should show you something new.During an expedition, you constantly have to react to what is happening around you. You need to read enemy patterns, decide when to attack, when to dodge, and when it is better to reposition. ⚔️ But it is not just about having fast reflexes. Clarity: Attacks and hazards need to be readable so you can react to the information you receive.Decisions: Good combat comes from deciding when to attack, when to dodge, and when to create distance.Adaptation: Your build and playstyle can change depending on the situation.Progress: Every expedition should leave…
- The Ideas That Didn’t Survive the Space Journey - 28 September 2026
Not every idea is meant to survive.During the development of Cat-Astrophy, we have tried an incredible number of things. Some ideas lasted for a few hours. Others stayed in development for weeks. Some looked amazing on paper, but once we turned them into something playable, we discovered that they simply did not create the experience we were looking for.We built minigames, experimented with alternative reward systems, rebuilt the combat in completely different ways, and even tested several early versions of the fatigue system.Some ideas were genuinely fun. Others were technically fascinating. But there is an important difference between something being interesting and something actually making the game better.So we always came back to the same question:“Does this make Cat Astrophy a better game?”When the answer eventually became no, we had to make a difficult decision, let it go.That di…
- Polo isn't just travelling through space, he's searching for who he is - 22 September 2026
Who is Polo, really?At first glance, Cat-Astrophy is the story of a small astronaut cat travelling through a galaxy devastated by a mysterious cosmic catastrophe.But behind that journey lies something much more personal.Polo was abducted and lost his memories. Since then, he has been trying to find his way through a universe filled with unknown planets, strange encounters, and constant danger. But the further he travels, the clearer it becomes that his journey isn't only about survival.Polo isn't just looking for a way home. He's trying to discover who he used to be.🧩 The story won't give you all its answers at once.In Cat-Astrophy, the lore unfolds piece by piece. Conversations with characters, encounters with bosses, new planets, special events, and memories you uncover all provide new clues about Polo's past.We don't want every question to have an immediate answer. Some discoveries…
- First you play it, then you dress it in stars - 17 September 2026
How do we build a room in Cat-Astrophy?A room in Cat-Astrophy does not begin with a pretty background, a finished planet, or a pile of visual effects.It begins with a much more important question: “What fun decision will Polo have to make here?”Before we cover a scene with pixel art, atmosphere, lighting, and visual details, we first make sure the room actually works as a game space.We start with the fundamentals:Movement: Does Polo feel precise, responsive, and fun to control?Distances: Can the player understand the space and react without relying on guesswork?Enemies: Do encounters create tension while keeping the pace moving?Platforms: Do they add rhythm, challenge, and interesting movement?Side paths: Is there something worth discovering for players who look beyond the obvious route?These elements are tested, adjusted, removed, rebuilt, and tested again until the room feels right. A…
- A Challenge That Teaches, Not Punishes - 7 September 2026
⚡ A challenge that makes you betterA good run is not about overcoming every obstacle on your first try.In Cat-Astrophy, we want every fight to teach you something. Enemies have patterns you can learn, every mistake should help you understand what happened, and every defeat should leave you with a clearer idea of how to approach your next expedition.The difficulty is not there to tell you “you can’t do it.”It is there to tell you:“Not yet. Try again.”And when you come back, you come back better.🎯 Learn to read the combatCombat revolves around precision, movement, and real time decision making.Attacks have clear signals, enemies have patterns, and your positioning can make the difference between a victory and a trip back to the ship.Sometimes you have to attack.Other times, it is better to dodge, reposition, and wait for the right moment.There is always a question to answer:Do I keep att…
- The Ideas That Did Not Survive the Journey Through Space - 4 September 2026
Not Every Idea Reaches the StarsDeveloping Cat-Astrophy has taught us many things, but there is one lesson we have learned again and again:A good idea is not always a good mechanic.Throughout development, we have tested countless systems. We modified them, combined them, rebuilt them and, in some cases, removed them completely.Some worked perfectly from a technical perspective.Others looked incredible on paper.And some, honestly, were a lot of fun.But they did not make it into the final game.Why?Because throughout the entire process, we kept coming back to the same question:Does this idea make Cat-Astrophy more fluid, more expressive, clearer and, above all, more fun?When the answer was not clear enough, we had to be willing to leave it behind.🧪 The Versions of Cat-Astrophy You Never SawToday, Cat-Astrophy has a very defined rhythm.Movement, platforming, combat, exploration, modules an…
- Cat-Astrophy is competing in the DevGAMM Awards 2026! 🏆 - 2 September 2026
We’re very happy to share some special news:🏆 Cat-Astrophy has been selected to participate in the DevGAMM Awards 2026!After years of learning, experimenting, and creating games, it’s incredible to see Cat-Astrophy become part of this international competition.A huge thank you to the DevGAMM team for considering our game and giving us this opportunity. For Heraan Studios, and especially for me as an independent developer, being able to bring Cat-Astrophy to an event at this level means so much.The games will begin to be evaluated by the judges on September 11, and the nominees will be announced on October 22.For now, all we can do is wait and keep working on Cat-Astrophy while sharing the journey with all of you. ❤️Thank you so much for joining us on this adventure.— Aaron Hernández Founder & Creative Director, Heraan Studios🔗 Learn more about the DevGAMM Awards:https://devgamm.com/aw…
- Polo Is Not Just Traveling Through Space: He Is Searching for Who He Is - 1 September 2026
When Polo was abducted, he did not simply lose his way home.He also lost something far more important: his memories.Since then, every planet, every encounter, and every new expedition brings him a little closer to understanding what really happened. But the adventure of Cat-Astrophy is not simply about surviving a hostile universe.It is also a search for identity.🪐 Every Planet Holds a Piece of the StoryIn Cat-Astrophy, the lore is not concentrated in a single moment of the adventure. It is revealed little by little as you progress, explore, and try again.Boss encounters, conversations with other characters, new planets, and events that appear throughout the progression can reveal another piece of Polo’s past.👁️ Encounters: characters and bosses can offer new perspectives on what is really happening.💬 Conversations: every dialogue can hide information about Polo, his past, or the uni…
- Gameplay First, Then We Dress It in Stars - 28 August 2026
A space in Cat-Astrophy does not start with a beautiful background. It starts with a much more important question: What fun decision should Polo have to make here?Before dressing every environment in pixels, we test what truly matters: movement, rhythm, enemies, platforms, distances, and possible routes. We want every space to have its own rhythm and combine different ways of playing, so moving through a planet never simply feels like going from one room to another.⚔️ Combat: moments that test your reflexes, positioning, and mastery of the Cursor Estelar.🪐 Exploration: optional paths, hidden corners, and small surprises for those who choose to look beyond the main route.🧗 Platforming: sections where movement, timing, and precision matter just as much as combat.✨ Discovery: secrets and rewards that turn curiosity into a real part of the experience.We are not trying to fill every second…
- Heraan Studios, a journey of passion and pixel art - 24 August 2026
Behind Cat-AstrophyWhen you see Cat-Astrophy, you probably think of its combat, its pixel art, or Polo exploring a universe full of danger. However, behind every scene, every mechanic, and every animation are years of learning, passion, and countless hours of work.Today we want to share how this project was born and how the adventure of Heraan Studios began.It all started with a dreamDevelopment of Cat-Astrophy began when I was 16 years old. At that time there was no studio, no professional experience, and no large team. There was only the desire to learn and the goal of creating a video game that could one day reach players all around the world.Over the years, the project has evolved constantly. We have created prototypes, redesigned entire systems, and learned from every mistake until we built the experience that Cat-Astrophy represents today.Much more than a rogueliteOur goal was nev…
- Zarina, the Guardian of Cosmic Secrets - 17 August 2026
During Polo’s adventure, you will meet very different characters, each with their own personality, backstory, and way of understanding the cosmos. Among them, one figure stands out from the very first moment for her calmness, elegance, and the mystery that surrounds her.Zarina.Her presence conveys calm, but it also sparks immense curiosity. She seems to know far more than she says and always finds a way to appear when you need her most. However, her words never provide complete answers, leaving the player to draw their own conclusions while continuing to explore the universe.A character full of mysteryWe did not want to create a character who simply explained the story.Our goal was for Zarina to raise questions, fuel curiosity, and encourage the player to keep exploring in order to discover more about the Cat-Astrophy universe.Every conversation with her is meant to convey the feeling t…
- Beyond Combat, The Hidden Secrets of Cat Astrophy - 12 August 2026
Every expedition tells a different storyThanks to procedural generation, each run offers a different distribution of rooms, events, enemies, and rewards. Even if you return to the same planet, the experience will never feel exactly the same.You can find special events, optional routes, unique challenges, and rewards that can completely change the flow of your run.Much more than new sceneryEach planet has its own identity, with exclusive mechanics, different enemies, and challenges designed to test your skill.But they also hide secrets.From hidden rooms to unexpected encounters, or fragments of Polo’s story, there is always a reason to step away from the main path and see what lies beyond.Exploration also changes your buildExploration is not only about discovering new places.It can also lead you to special modules, rare abilities, and hidden synergies capable of completely transforming t…
- Cat-Astrophy joins the Cat Awareness Feline Sale 2026! - 7 August 2026
If you do not know our game yet, Cat-Astrophy is a 2D action roguelite where you join Polo, a cat trapped in a galaxy full of danger, secrets, and mystery. Explore unique planets, create completely different builds in every run, and master fast paced combat built around the Star Cursor while uncovering the truth behind the cosmic catastrophe.Throughout your adventure, you will combine modules, unlock permanent upgrades, discover hidden synergies, and adapt your playstyle on every run, making every expedition feel different from the last.Thank you for supporting usBeing part of this event is a very important step for Heraan Studios, and we want to thank everyone who has supported us from the beginning. Every wishlist, comment, and message helps us keep growing this project.Join the adventureIf you love roguelites, pixel art, and of course cats, this is the perfect time to discover Cat-As…
- Beyond the Basics: Advanced Strategies in Cat-Astrophy - 5 August 2026
Think you have already mastered Cat-Astrophy?Every run is only the beginning.While quick reflexes and precise platforming will help you survive your first expeditions, true mastery comes from understanding how the game’s systems interact. The strongest players are not simply the fastest—they are the ones who constantly adapt their build to every new challenge.Every Choice Shapes Your RunThe Reconfiguration System is the heart of Cat-Astrophy.Whenever you reach a shop, you will be offered three randomly generated Reconfiguration Modules. You can only choose one, and that decision lasts for the rest of the run.These modules are not simple stat upgrades.They fundamentally change how Polo plays.Some improve combat. Some completely alter movement. Others change how the Stellar Cursor behaves, rewrite core mechanics, manipulate time, summon companions, transform the world itself, or even forc…
- Demo Update - 3 August 2026
Cat-Astrophy’s demo has received a new update!In this version, we have focused on several key improvements to make the experience better for players:Improved UI: we refined the interface to make it clearer, more comfortable, and more enjoyable to use.Steam page art improvements: we updated and polished the visual assets on the Steam page to better represent the game.General demo polish: small adjustments and improvements to make the presentation and overall experience feel more solid.Thank you for trying the demo and for supporting Cat-Astrophy.
- Cosmic Pixel Art: Cat-Astrophy’s Visual Inspirations - 1 August 2026
Cat-Astrophy’s art direction is a love letter to classic pixel art, but reimagined with a more modern, expressive, and character-driven approach. We drew inspiration from the visual energy of games like Celeste and Bread & Fred to build a universe that instantly stands out while staying easy to read during gameplay.Every planet, character, and visual element is designed to communicate personality, atmosphere, and motion. Our goal is to keep the charm of retro pixel art while also strengthening the emotion, humor, and mystery of Polo’s world. Cat-Astrophy should be recognizable at a glance, with a strong visual identity in every scene.Which games inspire you visually? Let us know in the comments!
- The Solo Challenge: Building a Universe With One Paw - 28 July 2026
Hello, crew!Cat-Astrophy is more than just a game. It is the result of years of ideas, experiments, changes in direction, mistakes, learning, and a huge amount of care poured into this project. Even though the game’s universe is vast, a large part of this journey has been a very personal one: building it almost entirely solo, step by step, decision by decision, until it finally started to feel alive.When you spend this long creating a game like this, there are moments when everything feels too big. Systems that do not quite fit yet. Combat that still does not communicate what it should. Modules that need more depth. Platforming that demands more precision. Routes that need to be rebuilt again and again. And yet that is exactly the magic of development: iterate, fail, correct, test again, and keep pushing until every piece starts to click.For Cat-Astrophy, one of the most important parts…
- Gameplay Evolution: The Journey of Cat-Astrophy’s Core Mechanics - 24 July 2026
Hello, star crew!Today we want to show you one of the most important parts of Cat-Astrophy’s development: the journey our core mechanics have taken to reach their current form.At the beginning, the combat was much simpler. The ability system was basic, modules did not yet have the depth they have now, and the overall pace of each run did not fully capture the tension, precision, and fluidity we wanted for Polo. For months, we tested ideas, discarded features, reworked systems, adjusted numbers, and polished every detail until we found an experience that truly felt alive.That process was essential in shaping what defines the game today:fast, reactive combat,the Stellar Cursor, which adds precision and identity,a module system capable of completely changing each run,and a fatigue management layer that forces you to think, pace yourself, and play with intent.What started as a simpler conce…
- The Rhythm of Combat: Mastering Fatigue in Cat-Astrophy - 21 July 2026
In Cat-Astrophy, every hit matters.Our Fatigue system is not just a simple energy bar. It is a core combat mechanic that sets the pace of every encounter and pushes players to make constant decisions: do you keep pushing with a relentless combo, or do you step back for a moment and regain control of the fight?Fatigue directly shapes how you chain attacks, manage offense, and get the most out of the Star Cursor. The more aggressive you are, the more important it becomes to master your timing so you do not run out of room when the pressure peaks. And once you learn to handle it properly, combat opens up completely: cleaner combos, sharper dodges, and much more expressive builds.We want every encounter to feel fast, technical, and satisfying. That is why fatigue is not meant to punish the player blindly, it rewards those who know when to press forward, when to hold back, and when to turn a…
- Exploring Worlds: The Planet System - 17 July 2026
In Cat-Astrophy, every planet you visit feels like a brand-new adventure. Each world is packed with unique enemies, hidden secrets, environmental hazards, and small lore fragments that slowly reveal the universe behind the game.From the ship, you choose your next destination and chart your path through the unknown. Thanks to procedural generation, no expedition ever plays out the same way twice, keeping every journey fresh, varied, and full of surprises.In Cat-Astrophy, curiosity is always rewarded: the more you explore, the more you uncover—not only about the planets themselves, but also about the deeper mysteries hidden within the cosmos. Which planet would you like to explore first?
