Zodiac: Story of the Guardian

A hijacked asteroid is bearing down on Earth. The strike force sent to stop it is gone. You are the Guardian.

Coming February 19, 2027

Windows: Steam & itch.io. Android handhelds: itch.io only — not for phones.

Retro-hard. Hand-drawn.

Have you ever wanted a game that was retro-hard but also populated with monsters drawn in MS Paint? Do you miss bombing every wall to find your way forward, or having your jumps wrecked by brutal knockback? If so, this game is for you.

Maybe it's just nostalgia, but we fondly remember games full of obscure secrets being passed around on the playground. This game has a lot in common with that!

Pre-release trailer · 1:42

What you're in for

The Guardian holds a crumpled map, confused. — Twelve zones, 2,000+ hand-placed screens, no glowing arrows.

The Guardian lobs bombs at a stone wall. — Bombs, X-Ray Scope, grapple and freeze ray. Dead ends usually aren't.

The Guardian upended mid-air after a hit. — Double, wall and spin jumps, a dash — and every hit can cost you the ledge.

The Guardian transformed into a red starfighter. — The asteroid's vents are vertical shoot-'em-ups, each with its own boss.

A crowd of the game's bosses: a brain in a jar, a skull beast, a mushroom monster and more. — Twelve Zodiac guardians hold twelve weapons. Beat one, take its weapon. TBD: boss count?

Three allies: a scientist in a lab coat, a general in a blue uniform, and a yellow alien. — Allies, rivals and an armored soldier named Iron all want something from the Zodiac.

Drawn and composed by people

Iron, an armored soldier with an arm cannon, beside a scientist in a lab coat. Drawn by C-Dawg.

Art by C-Dawg

Every hero, alien and boss in Zodiac was drawn by hand by C-Dawg: hundreds of sprites, a rogues' gallery of bosses, and every cartoon on this page. It's goofy, gross and bursting with personality, like the monsters you doodled in the margins of your homework finally got their own game.

Music by Michael Mood

Michael Mood's original soundtrack is the asteroid's heartbeat. Every zone gets its own theme and every boss its own anthem, from tense explorations of alien caverns to fights that make each near-miss feel heroic. Fair warning: these tunes will follow you around long after you put the controller down.

Michael Mood on LinkedIn · Amazon

Screenshots

Strategy guide

New to the Zodiac? The official guide covers the controls, the HUD, power-ups and saving, then walks you through your first zone, Aquarius, without spoiling what comes after.

Read the strategy guide ▶

What players say

“Lots of intricately designed areas, tons of collectibles and upgrades, giant bosses and all original content… If you're the type who forges ahead blindly, expect to have your chassis handed to you a time or three.”
— ywklstrikesback, beta tester

“Secrets abound in the terrain and characters alike. Exploration is constantly rewarded… Much like the denizens of the asteroid, it has evolved into something brilliant, dangerous, and entertaining.”
— ShadowTiger, beta tester

“There is a lot to find and a lot to do with just the right amount of cryptic where do i go moments… give it a chance. its good i swear.”
— ryu, beta tester

All reviews on Steam · Rate it on itch.io TBD: Steam link

Get Zodiac

Windows PC

Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit. Keyboard or controller.

Steam TBD: link itch.io

Android handhelds

⚠︎ Not for phones

Requires a physical controller, built in or paired. There are no touch controls.
Designed for Android handhelds like the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro or better, not normal smartphones.

This file will come as an APK that you'll have to install – at your own risk and using your own ingenuity.

itch.io

Android is on itch.io only, because Steam doesn't distribute Android games.

Release	February 19, 2027
Price	TBD

By installing you agree to the EULA. There's a comic version.

FAQ

Can I play on my phone?

No. The Android version is for handheld gaming devices only. It has no touch controls, so it needs a physical controller, and it needs more processing power than most phones have. Details.

Why isn't the Android version on Steam?

Steam doesn't distribute Android games, so the APK is on itch.io only. The Windows version is on both.

Wasn't this a ZClassic quest?

Yes. Work on Zodiac began in the early 2000s as a quest for ZClassic, a free game editor by Armageddon Games, and the quest was first released in December 2014. If you want to see the original quest’s project page, here it is on PureZC. It has since been rebuilt as a standalone game for PC and Android.

Was AI used to make this game?

The port to Python, PC and Android was coded with the help of generative AI. AI was also used to help make a 1980s sound effect generator! The art, music, writing and other assets are all made by humans.

Do I really have to read the EULA?

You should! We made an illustrated version so you might actually want to. The written EULA is the one that counts.

How do I get help or report a bug?

Email support@dynamicsofanasteroid.com. This inbox is only checked periodically, so responses may take 30 days or more.

Credits

C-Dawg	Sprites, game art, publicity artwork, design, story, writing, original coding
Michael Mood	Original soundtrack · LinkedIn · Amazon
Thanks	The PureZC community

Press & creators

Dynamics of an Asteroid, LLC · Release February 19, 2027 · Windows and Android handhelds · Metroidvania

Writing about Zodiac, streaming it or making a video? Go for it. All images in the press kit may be used in coverage of the game, and you're welcome to stream Zodiac and post videos of it.

▼ Press kit (ZIP, 4.7 MB)

Logos, key art, illustrations, screenshots, and a fact sheet with the description and credits.

Questions or interview requests: support@dynamicsofanasteroid.com.

This inbox is only checked periodically, so responses may take 30 days or more.