The world of Monster Taming RPGs is vast, first rising to fame with the original Pokémon, and over time branching out in countless directions, yet always preserving some signature mechanics that define the genre.
Today I came across exciting news from developer Bicho Feo, who is working on a brand-new project in this category: Astra Bestiary.
Like many titles in the genre, it embraces a retro aesthetic, but what sets it apart is a particularly unique mechanic for managing and evolving the monsters under your command. I’ll tell you more.
When I came across Astra Bestiary online, it immediately stood out as one of those projects that feels both familiar and different at the same time.
On the surface, it’s a creature-raising RPG, but reading through the available information, it becomes clear that the developer Bicho Feo is aiming for more than just another entry in the monster-collecting genre.
The setup is straightforward: you hatch and raise creatures known as Beasts, train them, and eventually lead them into fast-paced battles with the classic combat of the genre.
But what caught my attention are the details about evolution and permanence. Beasts don’t just grow stronger, they branch into different evolutionary paths, becoming Tyrants, Monarchs, or Archons depending on the choices made during raising.
Death also has a narrative weight here: when a Beast falls, it leaves behind orbs containing its accumulated power, which can then be passed on to strengthen the next generation.
It’s a system that seems designed to make losses meaningful while reinforcing the idea of a legacy carried through your roster, and I think it’s something quite original for the genre.
The game world itself is described as nonlinear and open, filled with ruins of a civilization called Yselion.
Players will compile knowledge of this lost society in a Bestiary that grows with every discovery. There are over 100 fully animated Beasts, and the adult forms aren’t just for fighting; they can also be ridden across the map, suggesting exploration is as important as combat.
Visually, the game uses a retro pixel-art style, the kind you’d expect from classic JRPGs but with modern animation touches that bring the Beasts to life.
For now, Astra Bestiary is only confirmed for PC, but the upcoming Kickstarter Campaign set for October 7, 2025, could open this title to consoles as well.
According to the Steam page, the game is planned for release in 2026, though a free demo is already available and continues to receive updates. Below is the Kickstarter launch trailer.
