Astor: Blade of the Monolith is an exhilarating indie action-adventure RPG that brings together immersion and exploration elements of classic adventure games with stylish, dynamic combat. The game is now available on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One!

We asked the developers at C2 Game Studio to share their experiences creating this standout indie game in Colombia, exploring the unique challenges and victories they faced along the way.

What were the biggest challenges you faced making this game in Colombia?

One of our biggest challenges of making a game in Colombia is hiring local talent, where the gaming industry is still developing. Unlike in the US, where you can specify years of experience and a list of released titles across various platforms and genres, such criteria are not feasible here, and few would meet them. Instead, we focused on identifying potential and passion, though it’s often a gamble without the assurance that comes from proven experience. Very few have had the opportunity to see a game through from start to finish, a luxury that’s rare in our region.

How did living and working in Colombia influence the game’s story and design?

We always approach our games with a global mindset. However, it’s natural that our environment subtly influences our creations. While not intentionally infused with our culture, elements of Colombian life might still appear unnoticed. For instance, Crystal Haven, the city of the Diokek, has the charm of a Latin American town, inspired partly by Guillermo del Toro’s “Troll Hunters.” Now that I think of it, there are some food stands in Crystal Haven, maybe we should have added some arepas, buñuelos and empanadas, that would have been a nice easter egg!

What was the most rewarding part of making Astor? What was the hardest part?

The most rewarding moment was when months of iterations paid off and the combat finally felt great. We knew then we had something special. It was also incredibly gratifying to see our game showcased at events and witness people’s reactions!

Did you change the game based on feedback from players? If so, how?

We actively listened to feedback from our partners, publishers, and players, carefully selecting suggestions that aligned with our vision for the game. Some changes were straightforward, like toning down the flashiness of non-interactive props that confused players. Based on input from the PC demo, we implemented several technical enhancements, including a depth of field effect slider, adjustments to camera distance, and an option to disable camera assist.

How do you hope Astor will affect the games industry in Colombia and Latin America

There are many talented studios creating incredible games in Colombia. We hope that Astor not only opens doors for our studio but also for others in Colombia and Latin America, attracting more investors and publishers who believe in our talent, passion, and work ethic. Additionally, we aim to inspire the next generation of game developers to believe in their ability to create great and beautiful things.

Take care of your mental health, this rollercoaster has a lot of ups and downs.

What can players expect next from C2 Game Studio? Are there more games or updates planned?

What’s next? At the moment, we’re focused on supporting Astor to the best of our abilities, but we’re already brainstorming new game ideas, and we’re excited to apply all that we’ve learned to our next project! It could be something related to Astor, or perhaps an entirely new adventure. Only time will tell.

What advice do you have for new game developers in Latin America?

The hardest part, however, is always finishing the game. As veterans say, the last 10% is the toughest, and they’re absolutely right! Fixing bugs, meeting platform requirements, and making necessary compromises are all part of the process and extremely challenging.

It’s important for first-time developers to dream big, but start small. Our journey to creating Astor involved significant growth and gaining experience. Focus on mastering the basics, build a strong team around you, and choose reliable partners. Remember to take care of your mental health as well; the path to success is full of ups and downs.

Astor: Blade of the Monolith

Versus Evil, LLC

☆☆☆☆☆ 7

★★★★★

$24.99

Get it now

Explore the vibrant planet of Gliese, once inhabited by an ancient race, and now home to their sentient creations – the Diokek. After the ancients’ disappearance, the Diokek lived in peace until malevolent creatures, the Hiltsik, started wreaking havoc among their settlements. With threats of a more sinister force at play, Astor – a young Diokek warrior, must journey across Gliese to solve the mysterious disappearance of his creators thousands of years ago, believing that they may have left behind the key to their salvation. Learn new attacks, abilities and combos, unlock magical powers, and collect legendary weapons as you crush hordes of enemies. Find your way towards the Monolith, an ancient structure holding immense power, and confront the source of the planet’s haunting evil. Will you join Astor on his journey to become the planet's savior? FEATURES · Engage in intense battles against 16 different enemies and 10 formidable bosses across over 20 hours of main story and side quests. · Arm yourself with 4 unique weapons, master dynamic skills and combos, summon powerful constructs, and craft your own combat style. · Traverse Gliese's diverse landscapes, complete various side quests and uncover remnants left by your creators. · Test your skills in combat challenges and conquer New Game+ mode for an even greater challenge. EXPLORE A VIBRANT WORLD Explore the mystical planet of Gliese and search for a lost history hidden throughout the planet's majestic landscapes, ancient ruins, and old temples left by past civilizations. Using your newfound runic power, shift into the spirit realm to solve puzzles, reveal secret passages, and uncover the answers to save the future. DEFINE YOUR COMBAT STYLE Arm yourself with 4 types of powerful weapons and special abilities as you engage in intense, fast-paced battles. Pummel your enemies with a combination of melee strikes, ranged attacks, and air combos. Switch between equipped weapons at any time–even mid-combo to deliver unyielding critical hits. The choice is yours! WIELD RUNIC POWERS IN COMBAT Harness the power of the Runic Swarm, an ancient energy used to materialize runic power as weapons or tools in combat. Unleash charged attacks to create devastating finishers, such as the Wall Crush and Runic Cannon, or summon powerful companions, shields, and decoys to gain the upper hand in combat. THE TRUTH OF YOUR FATE UNFOLDS Your journey will lead you down a path of discovery toward your destiny. Uncover answers to solve the mysterious disappearance of the ancients thousands of years ago, for they created the Diokek, but what deeper purpose lies behind the existence of your kind? Are you, Astor, truly the chosen one destined to bring salvation or destruction? The ancient Monolith holds the key to your answers, awaiting your arrival with the secrets of the past.