Astrologaster
A comedy adventure about a real-life astrologer and his patients.
Astrologaster is a comedic narrative adventure game created and released by Nyamyam. It follows the real-life 16th-century physician and astrologer Simon Forman as he interacts with various patients seeking medical advice, treatments, or astrological readings. The game launched on iOS on 2 May 2019, followed by versions for Microsoft Windows and macOS on 9 May 2019, and later for Nintendo Switch on 18 February 2021.
In the game, players control Simon Forman, a historical astrologer, occultist, and herbalist who practiced in London during the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I. By studying the stars for clues about patients' personal lives, players can recommend treatments or courses of action. The game draws inspiration from Forman’s actual casebooks. Several patients are based on real historical figures, including Emilia Lanier, Robert Devereux, Thomas Blague, and Alice Blague.
Nyamyam developed the game after creative director Jennifer Schneidereit attended a presentation by Lauren Kassell at the University of Cambridge about her research on Forman’s casebooks. Impressed by the abundance of character and story material, Nyamyam, with help from Kassell’s research team, studied Forman’s life and original patient records to shape the game’s characters and narratives.
According to the review aggregator Metacritic, the PC version received mixed or average reviews, while the iOS version garnered generally favorable feedback. Another aggregator, OpenCritic, reported strong approval, with 81% of critics recommending the game. Astrologaster was featured on The Gadget Show and appeared on several "best of" lists for video games in 2019. It was nominated for "Excellence in Audio" at the 22nd Annual IGF Awards, and for "Best Music for an Indie Game," "Best Music in a Casual Game," and "Best Original Choral Composition" at the 18th Annual G.A.N.G. Awards. In 2023, the game was included in the British Library Digital Storytelling Exhibit, which featured a Q&A with Schneidereit and Kassell, along with live performances of songs from the soundtrack by a vocal quartet.
Quick Facts
- Released
- iOS / May 2, 2019 / Windows, macOS / May 9, 2019 / Nintendo Switch / February 18, 2021
- Platforms
- iOS / Microsoft Windows / macOS / Nintendo Switch
- Composer
- Andrea Boccadoro
- Writer
- Katharine Neil
- Director
- Jennifer Schneidereit
- Publisher
- Nyamyam
- Title
- Astrologaster
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
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 Kassell's research team, Nyamyam researched Forman's life and original patient records for inspiration for the game's characters and stories. The player controls Simon Forman, 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. A number of patients are based on real historical figures including Emilia Lanier, Robert Devereux, Thomas Blague, and Alice Blague.
Reader's Guide
Astrologaster received mixed or average reviews on PC and generally favourable reviews on iOS according to Metacritic, while OpenCritic assessed strong approval, with 81% of critics recommending the game. It was featured on The Gadget Show and appeared on several 'best of' lists for video games in 2019. The game was nominated for 'Excellence in Audio' at the 22nd Annual IGF Awards, and for 'Best Music for an Indie Game', 'Best Music in a Casual Game', and 'Best Original Choral Composition' at the 18th Annual G.A.N.G. Awards. In 2023, Astrologaster was featured in the British Library Digital Storytelling Exhibit, during which a Q&A was held with Schneidereit and Kassell alongside performances of songs from the game's soundtrack by a live vocal quartet. Its legacy lies in its unique adaptation of historical casebook material into an interactive comedy narrative, and its recognition in both gaming and cultural heritage contexts.
Did You Know?
- The game was inspired by the real casebooks of 16th-century astrologer Simon Forman.
- Creative director Jennifer Schneidereit discovered Forman's casebooks after seeing Lauren Kassell present her research at the University of Cambridge.
- Several patients in the game are based on real historical figures, including Emilia Lanier and Robert Devereux.
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