B.I.O.T.A.

Released Apr 2022

Intense 2D action-platformer set in a mining colony infected by an alien plague. In B.I.O.T.A. you can choose your hero, fight gruesome monsters, and customize your 8-bit retro experience with swappable 4-color palettes.

87% positive · 262 reviews

Done

All announced content has been released

High confidence

Done

All announced content has been released

High confidence

Where to buy

Steam Updated 12 Oct 2026 $9.99

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Evaluation

B.I.O.T.A. launched on April 12, 2022 as a complete, finished retro action-platformer. After launch, the developer (small bros) actively supported the game with a series of quality-of-life patches and feature improvements: wall-jump refinements, a new color palette auto-mode, a performance mode, Steam Deck verification, and several shooting/movement mechanic overhauls. A Halloween 2022 seasonal event added new enemies and a new playable character (No Face) in October 2022, which stands as the single major content drop post-launch. Both DLC items — the Warlock character (June 23, 2022) and the official soundtrack (July 14, 2022) — have been released. There are no unreleased DLC entries on the store. The most recent developer communication was a feature patch on April 18, 2023, which reworked the jump mechanic. Since that date — over three years ago as of June 2026 — there have been no further news posts, patches, or announcements from the developer. A spin-off game, B.I.O.T.A. Swarm, was teased in early 2023, but that is a separate title and not a content commitment for this game. The developer never announced a roadmap or promised additional content beyond what has already shipped. The post-launch update activity tapered off naturally through 2023 with no stated continuation plans, and the prolonged silence since April 2023 is consistent with a game that has reached the end of its update cycle.

Evidence

Halloween special event 'C.R.E.A.T.U.R.E.S.' added new enemies throughout the game and a new playable character (No Face) — the single major content addition post-launch.

news post · Oct 25, 2022 source content shipped

high

Warlock character DLC released — both DLC items are now fully released with no unreleased entries remaining.

dlc listing · Jun 23, 2022 source content shipped

high

Content

2 of 2 released · no outstanding content

Released

B.I.O.T.A. Soundtrack

Jul 2022

Released

B.I.O.T.A - Warlock character

Jun 2022

Media

Details

Developer

small bros

Publisher

Retrovibe

Achievements

Platform

Windows

Controller

full support

Steam Deck

Verified

Players

Single-player

2D Platformer Aliens Retro Shoot 'Em Up Side Scroller Metroidvania Pixel Graphics Arcade Platformer 1980s Colorful Mechs Old School Casual Sci-fi

About this game

Pick your retro style and enjoy this ultimate run and gun throwback!

You vs. monsters

B.I.O.T.A. is an intense 2D action-platformer, in which you command a team of mercenaries and investigate a mining colony infected by an alien plague. Explore a pixel art world packed with mutant monsters and deadly traps. Try to survive using a multitude of guns and various crafts, including a mech, a sub, and a starship.

The best of both worlds

B.I.O.T.A. mixes the charm of retro games (including two-pixel breathing animations) with the modern-day convenience of full controller support, quick saves, customizing the visuals at any time, and a soundtrack so chippy that you'll want to record a cassette mixtape and listen to it on your Walkman.

Pick your retro

Craving for some old-school Game Boy esthetics? Looking for a neon-infused arcade style? B.I.O.T.A. has 54 unique 4-color palettes to unlock. Swap them anytime during your play to completely change the game’s 8-bit visuals.

Uncover corporate secrets

Take command of a team of 8 veteran mercenaries and switch between them to utilize their unique skills and weapons. Investigate the mining colony overrun by an alien plague and face 40+ horrific monsters that mutated out of the miners. Rescue the scientists, and uncover the truth about V-corp’s illegal activities.

KEY FEATURES

54 unique 4-color palettes to swap
8 playable characters to unlock and upgrade
Story campaign with two endings
Arcade levels where you control a submarine, destroy enemies in a powerful mech and chase starships in outer space
Additional time trials and target shooting game modes
Retro fun with modern-day convenience
4 controller presets and 6 keyboard control presets to choose from
Energizing chiptune-synthwave soundtrack