Report updated Apr 2, 2026
MO: Astray
v1.3.6Fans of challenging indie platformers and action-puzzlers who appreciate atmospheric storytelling and unique gameplay mechanics.
What Is MO: Astray?
Launched Nov 11, 2020
Updated Dec 2025
What users think iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.
What does it look like?
What are the key features?
Ability to read the minds of monsters and control them to navigate the environment and solve puzzles
Dynamic traversal mechanics including sticking to surfaces, dashing, and aerial maneuvers
High-quality, dark, and atmospheric pixel art design with sci-fi elements
Side-scrolling platforming combined with strategic puzzle-solving and combat
Environment-specific background music and sound effects designed to enhance the narrative
What do users think? iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.
“Recent user voice shows a mixed sentiment. Users appreciate high-quality gameplay and story and atmospheric art and music, but report app crashes and launch failures and compatibility issues.”
What Users Love
Very fun game with tons of story and depth, the puzzles are really fun
The story is interesting and uncovered in multiple ways. Wonderful art, music, and addicting puzzles
Beautiful, atmospheric visuals
Amazing music, very impressive pixel art graphics
Pain Points
Game crashes before launch on s24u
Game opens for a minute then closes by itself
Game doesn't support Android 12+
Game doesnt work on newer devices
High confidence · 66 reviews available
What are the pros and cons?
Pros
- Unique parasitic mind-control and 360-degree movement mechanics
- High-quality, atmospheric pixel art and sound design
- Strong brand backing from Rayark Inc.
- Proven critical success on PC/Steam platform
Cons
- Critical launch crashes on Android 14 and newer devices
- Infrequent update cycle (last iOS update in 2020)
- High battery drain and device heating issues
What is the market outlook?
Growth Opportunities
- Fixing Android compatibility to reclaim the 4.5+ star rating potential
- Leveraging the 'monster protagonist' niche against humanoid-led competitors
- Seasonal promotional pricing to compete with newer indie ports
Market Threats
- Direct competition from 'Carrion' which shares the creature-in-a-lab theme
- Rising quality of 'free' titles included in Netflix Games subscriptions
- Persistent technical issues leading to permanent brand damage on Google Play
Who competes with MO: Astray?
The Nemesis
Why it's a threat
- +
Users are happier — sentiment 72/100 vs 55
- +
Higher rated at 4.3★ vs 3.9★
Contenders
Shares the core differentiator of non-traditional 360-degree movement where the player zips between surfaces rather than walking.
Gravity-Defying Movement
Focuses on a similar hybrid of physics-based puzzle solving and platforming traversal in a moody, atmospheric world.
Electromagnetic Puzzle Mechanics
Coast to Coast AM Insider
Premiere Radio Networks, Inc.
The primary competitor for high-end, atmospheric puzzle-platforming set in a dark, sinister laboratory environment.
The primary competitor for high-end, atmospheric puzzle-platforming set in a dark, sinister laboratory environment.
HAAK
★4.5 (97)ZhiXiong Huang
A premium sci-fi action-platformer that blends challenging environmental puzzles with a dark, pixel-art aesthetic.
A premium sci-fi action-platformer that blends challenging environmental puzzles with a dark, pixel-art aesthetic.
Peers
Focuses on artistic excellence and emotional storytelling through platforming, though less combat-heavy.
Emotional Narrative Gameplay
The definitive dark action-platformer that many modern indie titles in this space reference.
Classic Console Port
Oddmar
★4.8 (11K)Mobge Ltd
A high-production-value premium platformer that sets the standard for mobile-optimized controls.
A high-production-value premium platformer that sets the standard for mobile-optimized controls.
FEZ Pocket Edition
★4.2 (526)Polytron Inc.
A classic indie puzzle-platformer that uses unique perspective-shifting mechanics for exploration.
A classic indie puzzle-platformer that uses unique perspective-shifting mechanics for exploration.
New Kids on the Block
A major recent pixel-art action port (2024) that captures the attention of the premium indie platformer market.
Skull-Swapping Mechanic
Afterimage Mobile
★4.3 (24)Beijing Wangyuan Shengtang Entertainment Technology Co., Ltd.
A newer, high-quality Metroidvania with a focus on exploration and atmospheric world-building.
A newer, high-quality Metroidvania with a focus on exploration and atmospheric world-building.
What are the key takeaways?
MO: Astray is a divisive games app that is a paid app. With a 3.9/5 rating from 1.2K reviews, it receives mixed feedback from users. Users particularly appreciate high-quality gameplay and story, though app crashes and launch failures remains a common concern.
Best for: Fans of challenging indie platformers and action-puzzlers who appreciate atmospheric storytelling and unique gameplay mechanics.
How much does it cost?
Model: paid
Premium upfront pricing model typical of high-quality indie ports, focusing on a complete, ad-free experience without microtransactions.
iOS Version
1.3.6
Android Version
1.3.12
Release Date
Nov 11, 2020
iOS Price
$4.99
Android Price
$4.99
Developer
Rayark International Limited