AstroMenace Review, Pricing & Features

AstroMenace is a free, open-source 3D space scroll-shooter by Viewizard. See its gameplay, ship upgrades, platform support, and history for 2026.

Category
Productivity
Pricing
free, from Free
Verified
Not yet
Last updated
July 19, 2026
Founded
2006
Headquarters
Russia

What Is AstroMenace

AstroMenace is a 3D scrolling space shooter originally developed by independent Russian game creator Mikhail Kurinnoi under the studio name Viewizard, with beta development beginning in 2006 and the first release arriving in February 2007.

The game was initially sold as Windows shareware for $14.95, with a free trial version and a donation-based release for Linux, before its source code was released under the GPLv3 open-source license in October 2007.

Development has continued for nearly two decades, with the project's code and content assets hosted publicly on GitHub and active releases continuing into the mid-2020s.

Key Features

AstroMenace offers 13 levels of arcade-style 3D scrolling shooter gameplay, where players destroy aliens, pirates, and meteorites to earn currency and experience points.

Players can spend earned currency on a selection of 22 ship types, 19 weapons, and 20 ship upgrades, adding a progression and customization layer between missions.

The game is fully cross-platform, running natively on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with convenient packaging for Linux users through Flathub and SourceForge.

Pricing

AstroMenace is completely free to download and play today, having transitioned from its original paid shareware model to a fully open-source release in 2007.

Both the game's source code (GPLv3) and its content assets (CC BY-SA 4.0) are freely licensed, so there is no purchase, subscription, or in-app payment required.

The game can be downloaded directly from its GitHub repository, SourceForge, or Flathub at no cost.

Key Features

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Completely free to download and play
  • Fully open-source, with both code (GPLv3) and content (CC BY-SA 4.0) freely licensed
  • Long-running, actively maintained project with nearly two decades of history
  • Recognized within Linux and open-source gaming communities as a standout free title
  • Available natively across Windows, macOS, and Linux

Cons

  • Graphics and design feel dated compared to modern commercial space shooters
  • Single-player only, with no multiplayer or online modes
  • Small, hobbyist-scale development team means slower feature updates
  • Limited marketing and visibility compared to mainstream indie games
  • Interface and controls may feel dated to players used to modern titles

Frequently Asked Questions

What is AstroMenace?

AstroMenace is a free, open-source 3D scrolling space shooter developed by Russian indie studio Viewizard.

Is AstroMenace free?

Yes, AstroMenace is completely free and open source, though it was originally sold as paid shareware before its 2007 open-source release.

What platforms does AstroMenace support?

AstroMenace runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with easy installation on Linux via Flathub and SourceForge.

Who developed AstroMenace?

AstroMenace was developed by Viewizard, the studio name of independent Russian developer Mikhail Kurinnoi.

Is AstroMenace still being updated?

Yes, development continues on GitHub, with releases continuing into the mid-2020s.

Was AstroMenace always free?

No, it originally launched in 2007 as paid Windows shareware before its source code was released under GPLv3 later that year.

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