B.I.O.T.A. Review (Steam)

by Jim Smale · April 12, 2022

Our B.I.O.T.A. Review explores this 2D Metroidvania 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.

B.I.O.T.A Review Pros:

Pixel art graphics.
204.71MB download size.
Steam achievements.
Controller support.
2D Run and Gun gameplay.
24 palette choices.
Graphics – CRT level, color rendering set to lo-fi or hi-fi, and screen shake.
Four controller layouts.
Two modes are play and arcade.
3 save slots.
Can skip or fast forward cutscenes/conversations.
Change the palette whenever you want from the pause menu.
A retro atmosphere with modern mechanics.
Tutorial signs as you play.
Instant save with a button press.
Hub area to interact with characters, save, spend credits in the shop and do training exercises.
World map level select.
Four-way shooting controls.
Map uncovers as you play.
Four characters to play as initially and each has unique weapons, stats, and special attacks.
Actions wise you can jump, shoot four ways, wall jump, and fire special attacks.
One life and you have a health bar, death restarts the level either overall or at a teleporter.
Collectibles are specimens that unlock new palette choices.
You can only carry so many credits until you find upgrades.
Teleport back to the hub whenever you want.
Secret areas and routes to find.
12 upgrades can be equipped at a time.
Respawning has you at the exact same point as you saved, health-wise and credits wise.
Gets very addictive.
Huge boss fights.
Gates/elevators can be found and these unlock a shortcut to a new area.

B.I.O.T.A Review Cons:

The mouse cursor stays on the screen.
Doesn’t explain anything outside of here is how you jump and shoot.
Slow starter.
Upon respawning at the hub base you resort back to the original character each time.
You always go back to your last save point upon respawning which is fine until you leave an area and hit the hub save point.
Takes a while to get going and for you to feel it out.
Very much a game that punishes you for not saving regularly, having you lose large chunks of progress if you are lazy.