Relevo, a Spanish indie developer known for Bullfighter NEON and the licensed beat 'em up Terrifier: The ARTcade Game, has announced its next ambitious project, Battle for Asciion.
This forthcoming title pays homage to classic shoot 'em ups like R-Type and Gradius, while distinguishing itself with a truly unconventional approach: its visuals are made entirely out of ASCII characters, forgoing any traditional sprites, textures, or PNG graphics. Battle for Asciion was brought into the spotlight by the Japanese gaming publication 4Gamer, quickly catching the attention of retro gaming enthusiasts worldwide.
The game is slated for release on February 5th, 2026, and will be available on Nintendo Switch and PC, expanding Relevo’s growing reputation for inventive and nostalgic projects. In an official statement, the developer emphasized the distinctive visual philosophy of Battle for Asciion: "All graphical elements—ships, enemies, and obstacles—are constructed purely of ASCII text, with no underlying sprites, textures, or image files powering the art." This radical design choice underscores a creative technical mastery and an intent to recapture the spirit of early arcade titles, where graphical limitations often inspired innovative solutions. Players can expect tightly tuned, old-school arcade gameplay that places a premium on precision, memorization, and raw skill.
Battle for Asciion is set to feature five extended, challenging stages, each culminating in massive end-of-level bosses.
Players will also have access to a range of upgrades, allowing them to enhance and personalize their ship’s performance across increasingly demanding waves of enemies. Additional features aim to elevate the replay value and social competition.
An online leaderboard will let players compare their scores worldwide, while a suite of visual display options—such as simulated CRT scanlines and selectable monochrome color palettes (green, amber, or white)—will allow users to tailor the retro presentation to their preferences.
Another standout aspect is the "textshot" feature, enabling players to capture gameplay moments as text-based screenshots, a playful nod to the game’s ASCII roots. Battle for Asciion can already be wishlisted on digital storefronts, including the Nintendo eShop.
With its February 2026 launch, Relevo is set to deliver an innovative twist on the shoot 'em up genre, appealing to veterans of the arcade era and fans of experimental game design alike.
This forthcoming title pays homage to classic shoot 'em ups like R-Type and Gradius, while distinguishing itself with a truly unconventional approach: its visuals are made entirely out of ASCII characters, forgoing any traditional sprites, textures, or PNG graphics. Battle for Asciion was brought into the spotlight by the Japanese gaming publication 4Gamer, quickly catching the attention of retro gaming enthusiasts worldwide.
The game is slated for release on February 5th, 2026, and will be available on Nintendo Switch and PC, expanding Relevo’s growing reputation for inventive and nostalgic projects. In an official statement, the developer emphasized the distinctive visual philosophy of Battle for Asciion: "All graphical elements—ships, enemies, and obstacles—are constructed purely of ASCII text, with no underlying sprites, textures, or image files powering the art." This radical design choice underscores a creative technical mastery and an intent to recapture the spirit of early arcade titles, where graphical limitations often inspired innovative solutions. Players can expect tightly tuned, old-school arcade gameplay that places a premium on precision, memorization, and raw skill.
Battle for Asciion is set to feature five extended, challenging stages, each culminating in massive end-of-level bosses.
Players will also have access to a range of upgrades, allowing them to enhance and personalize their ship’s performance across increasingly demanding waves of enemies. Additional features aim to elevate the replay value and social competition.
An online leaderboard will let players compare their scores worldwide, while a suite of visual display options—such as simulated CRT scanlines and selectable monochrome color palettes (green, amber, or white)—will allow users to tailor the retro presentation to their preferences.
Another standout aspect is the "textshot" feature, enabling players to capture gameplay moments as text-based screenshots, a playful nod to the game’s ASCII roots. Battle for Asciion can already be wishlisted on digital storefronts, including the Nintendo eShop.
With its February 2026 launch, Relevo is set to deliver an innovative twist on the shoot 'em up genre, appealing to veterans of the arcade era and fans of experimental game design alike.
