ASTRA: Knights of Veda is a brand new 2D action RPG that was just announced by publisher HYBE IM and developer FLINT will participate in this year’s Steam Next Fest from October 9-16. The story-driven title was introduced at gamescom 2023 to over 2,000 players for limited playtesting, but now a full demo will be featured for all to try during Steam’s event. While you may not have heard of HYBE and its subsidiary HYBE IM before, the company is best known as a global entertainment lifestyle company. This is their first venture into game publishing.
ASTRA: Knights of Veda is a 2D side-scroll type game with modern elements that promises engaging, real-time tactical combat against gargantuan beasts and relentless undead as well as 200 cutscenes and over 1800 gritty illustrations. The game takes place in the land of Planis where the hero king Magnus, who once saved the land from evil, has begun executing those who oppose him, plunging the Kingdom of Neejeram into chaos and destruction. To put an end to Magnus and his tyranny, his son Edward and the liberation army succeeded in their attack on Gigantfall, the capital of Neejeram. But, encroached by an unknown otherworldly power, Magnus was reborn as a gigantic Tree of Death and covered Neejeram, stealing numerous lives on the continent, including the 5th Liberation Army. To save the world from its cursed fate, The goddess Veda has chosen you as her knight. Together with other Knights of Veda, the journey across the continent begins.
To reflect these story beats, the game’s unique art style that encompasses the intricate detail with a terror-infused twist.
This public demo will be the first opportunity for you to experience the game’s dark fantasy action RPG gameplay before its official launch later this year. Crossplay between PC and mobile will be possible during this demo period for those wanting to try out the game with their friends on different devices.
You may be wondering, how does ASTRA: Knights of Veda ACTUALLY play? Glad you asked. You’ll take command of a team of up to four Knights in battle, alone or in co-op with your allies. ASTRA’s combat system is skill-based and fully manual, requiring you to think on your feet as you attack, dodge, and utilize your skills and team in a deathly battle. Challenge yourself in both real-time PvE and PvP battles, facing the Nightmare, seeking treasure, and empowering your Knights.
The gameplay modes that will be available during Steam Next Fest include:
- Adventure Mode – The game’s primary story mode. Five chapters that consist of 60 stages will be available in the Steam Next Fest demo for players of all skill levels.
- Sealed Prison – This is a single semi-raid style 1-on-1 boss battle mode with AI monsters based on the player’s skills. The attack patterns and strategy to defeat the boss will be different on each stage, providing the players with unique experiences every time they play the mode.
- Veda’s Nightmare – A manifestation of the horrors that the Master of the Book has faced. As you complete chapters in Adventure, you will be able to refight the final bosses within the Nightmare Dungeon. Where the Sealed Prison is a 1 on 1 battle with a powerful boss, the Nightmare Dungeon pits you against a sea of enemies before you get your chance to fight the Beast one more time.”
- Arena Mode – Players can clash with one another in either 1v1, 2v2, or 3v3 battles. Work with your team to defeat the opposing players in real-time combat.
- Tower of Trials – A season-based single-player mode where during the limited season period, players climb a tower by overcoming various gimmicks and monsters. Players will choose a total of 8 characters over 2 team compositions in order to reach the top of the tower. During Steam Next Fest, a total of 5 floors will be available.
ASTRA: Knights of Veda will also feature fully voiced-over characters in Korean, English, and Japanese. The game will be available on Steam as well as Android and iOS devices while allowing for gamepad, keyboard + mouse, and mobile controls when the game launches.
The demo for ASTRA: Knights of Veda will be available from October 9-16 during Steam Next Fest. Players can try out this dark fantasy action RPG and all its modes for themselves by visiting its Steam page here during the event before its official release in late 2023. Livestreams hosted by content creators from around the world featuring the game will be LIVE on Twitch and the store page starting on October 9th at 7 PM PDT, and by the game’s community manager on October 10th at 11 AM PDT.
