Where to get it

2019 · Nyamyam · Adventure · Historical

Astrologaster

Nintendo console exclusive

Astrologaster is an astrological comedy game in which you take the role of Simon Forman, Elizabethan Astrologer and doctor. Cast and interpret astrological charts to answer your patients' questions about political intrigues, romantic entanglements, deadly illnesses and missing spoons.

Released: 9 May 2019
Platforms: Nintendo Switch Windows iOS macOS
Genres: Adventure Historical Indie Strategy Visual novel
Developers: Nyamyam
Publishers: Nyamyam
Modes: Single-player
Perspective: Side view
Themes: Historical Comedy
Country: United Kingdom
Age ratings: ESRB T PEGI 12
Languages: English
Time to beat: 6hmain story7hcompletionist

About

Astrologaster is a comedy narrative adventure video game developed and published by Nyamyam. It was released for iOS on 2 May 2019, for Microsoft Windows and macOS on 9 May 2019, and for Nintendo Switch on 18 February 2021. The game centres around the historical 16th-century physician and astrologer Simon Forman and the characters he encounters, who demand diagnoses, treatments, and sometimes to be read fortunes written in the stars.

Players say

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

The player controls Simon Forman (Dave Jones), a real-life astrologer, occultist, and herbalist active in London during the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I of England. After examining the skies for hints about patients' personal lives, the player can suggest a treatment or course of action for them. The game was inspired by Forman's casebooks. A number of patients are based on real historical figures including Emilia Lanier (Katherine Rodden), Robert Devereux (Rich Keeble), Thomas Blague (Richard Reed) and Alice Blague (Natalie Winter).

Development

The game was developed by Nyamyam after creative director Jennifer Schneidereit saw Lauren Kassell present her research on Simon Forman's casebooks at the University of Cambridge. Inspired by the wealth of character and story material, and with the help of Kassel's research team, Nyamyam researched Forman's life and original patient records for inspiration for the game's characters and stories.

Reception

The game was released for iOS on 2 May 2019, for Microsoft Windows and macOS on 9 May 2019, and for Nintendo Switch on 18 February 2021.

According to review aggregator Metacritic, the PC version received mixed or average reviews while the iOS version received generally favourable reviews from critics. Fellow review aggregator OpenCritic assessed that the game received strong approval, being recommended by 81% of critics.