Astrologaster

a good and long Visual Novel. can recommend it. lots of different answer options to choose. the full price of this game is to expensive but in offer for like -50% alright.

Not for everyone, but if you like reading and a CYOA style, it's quirky and well put together. Really good voice acting. Fun ideas. Almost feels like a historical guessing game from how it plays out. Great on Steam Deck with touch screen. Easy achievements.

This historical visual novel is a joy! The writing is ridiculously good; so witty and sophisticated. The research - it is set in Shakespeare's London - and the voice acting are also top-drawer, not to mention the hilarious choral songs. You play as Simon Forman, an astrologer-quack who does 'readings' for a fascinating cast of characters. The way the storytelling is wrapped around this main narrative mechanic is very clever. The choices you make, based on the readings you give, profoundly effect the lives of Forman's patients, for both good and ill (depending on your choices). A gem of a narrative game.

What delights my about Astrologaster is statement it makes about astrology as a whole. You are simulating someone who believes very deeply in the power of astrology, and when you come to terms with it as a player it's mostly hogwash. In fact, "Doctor" Forman often just uses the latest tidbit of information he's discovered from his previous conversations to provide insightful "readings" into the future of others. To boot, he somehow squeezes his way into bedding any female he can. Often manipulating them through his authority. What a piece of work Simon Forman was, and what an absolutely gorgeous piece of art Astrologaster is to capture him.

No one expects the Spanish armada. Verily!

[b]Astrologaster[/b] це майже шекспірівська інтерактивна п'єса, де ви граєте за лікаря-астролога (як би дивно це не звучало), який не лише лікує, а ще й передбачає майбутнє, [spoiler]спить зі своїми пацієнтками[/spoiler] та намагається отримати лікарську ліцензію. Гра весела, коротка та заснована на реальних подіях (про які, скоріше за все, захочеться дізнатися більше). Тут є чудова атмосфера, дотепний гумор, цікаві персонажі та історія. Я знайшла всього два недоліки. По-перше, тут немає збережень, тому якщо щось піде не так, не буде можливості перепройти певний проміжок часу. По-друге, [spoiler]нам так і не показали нашого помічника Вільяма! І це справжній злочин, враховуючи, що 95% наших клієнтів вважають його гарячим.[/spoiler]

I genuinely don’t understand why Astrologaster isn’t more popular. The game is silly, fun, weird, and surprisingly interesting the whole way through. I’ve played through it multiple times because I liked seeing the different endings and outcomes based on the choices you make. I usually skipped the singing sections, but outside of that, I had a really good time with it. The humor and writing style gave the game a lot of personality, and it ended up being way more memorable than I expected. I also think the price is completely fair for what you get.

Funny, witty and oh so ironic. It's making fun of old times in all possible manner - quackery, superstitions, feudalism, and all other manner of things. All that while navigating choices... however you want? Of course, there's a goal in all of that - but it's up to you to figure out what's the way to get there. Is it through science? Personal gain? Short-term pleasing your customers, or long-term consequences? It combines some real deduction pieces with social deduction, all in a less-than-standard ways of "science". It's a simple game, focusing on narrative and comedy - and does those things well! Simplicity of gameplay is definitely carried by the storylines, and the on-point voice acting.

Worth it just for the voice acting.

Astrologaster is a singularly charming narrative experience that blends historical satire, choice-driven storytelling, and theatrical presentation into something that feels closer to an interactive stage play than a conventional video game. Set in plague-stricken Elizabethan London, it casts the player as Simon Forman, an astrologer-physician whose medical advice is guided not by anatomy or science, but by the movements of the stars. From the very beginning, the game makes its intentions clear: this is a comedy of manners and misunderstandings, rooted in history yet delivered with modern wit and confidence. The structure of the game revolves around a series of consultations with an eclectic cast of clients, each bringing their own anxieties, ailments, and personal dramas to your doorstep. These encounters form the backbone of the experience. Patients return over time, remember your previous advice, and react accordingly, giving the impression of a living social web rather than a set of isolated scenes. Your task is to interpret astrological charts, listen carefully to dialogue, and decide which cosmic explanation best fits each situation. The outcomes are often humorous, occasionally surprising, and sometimes unsettling, reflecting how much power a confident-sounding diagnosis can hold regardless of its accuracy. Choice and consequence are handled with a light but thoughtful touch. While Astrologaster does not punish players harshly for incorrect readings, it consistently tracks reputation, trust, and professional standing. Satisfied clients may write letters of recommendation that help advance your career, while disappointed ones might spread doubt about your abilities. This creates a gentle sense of stakes that encourages attention and care without turning the game into an optimization puzzle. The real reward lies in seeing how characters react to your interpretations and how their stories evolve over time. One of the game’s greatest strengths is its writing. The dialogue is sharp, playful, and deeply aware of its historical setting, filled with period-appropriate phrasing that never becomes inaccessible. Humor arises not only from jokes, but from the contrast between the seriousness with which characters treat astrology and the absurdity of the conclusions it produces. The game manages to poke fun at superstition without condescension, presenting its world as one where belief, fear, and hope intertwine in ways that feel both ridiculous and human. Presentation elevates the experience even further. Visually, Astrologaster adopts a pop-up book aesthetic, with flat, illustrated characters moving across layered backdrops that resemble a miniature theatrical set. This design reinforces the feeling that you are watching a performance unfold, scene by scene. The use of choral music is particularly inspired, as characters often introduce themselves through short musical interludes sung in Renaissance style. These moments are not only memorable but also serve as tonal anchors, blending humor and historical flavor in a way few games attempt. The astrological mechanics themselves are intentionally opaque. Players are given charts filled with symbols, planetary positions, and cryptic information that may or may not clearly indicate the “correct” choice. This ambiguity is deliberate, mirroring the uncertainty and interpretive nature of astrology itself. Success often depends as much on understanding the personalities and circumstances of your clients as it does on reading the stars, reinforcing the idea that persuasion and confidence are as important as knowledge. Pacing is brisk but satisfying. A full playthrough can be completed in a modest number of hours, yet the density of writing and character interactions makes the experience feel rich rather than brief. While there is some replay value in seeing alternative outcomes and dialogue variations, Astrologaster is less about exhaustive branching paths and more about savoring a well-crafted narrative journey from beginning to end. Ultimately, Astrologaster succeeds because it commits fully to its eccentric premise. It does not dilute its historical setting, nor does it overcomplicate its systems in search of depth. Instead, it trusts strong writing, confident presentation, and a unique concept to carry the experience. For players who enjoy narrative-driven games, sharp comedy, and unconventional historical perspectives, Astrologaster offers a memorable and distinctive adventure that feels both educational and delightfully irreverent. Rating: 9/10