Summary
- Genres: Arcade
- Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Developers: Thew
- Publishers: Thew
Aerobat: A Ludicrously Fast and Addictive Shmup
Aerobat is an absurdly high-speed arcade shmup that’s all about building and expending speed. Power your engines or your weapons, but not both at once. Boost to build speed, then cut the engines to fire from free-fall. The longer you boost without firing, the bigger the payoff.
It’s a simple concept, but it’s executed with such precision and polish that Aerobat is an absolute blast to play. The controls are tight and responsive, the visuals are crisp and colorful, and the music is pulse-pounding.
Aerobat was developed by Matthew Yeager, also known as Thew, and was initially released as a prototype for Ludum Dare 26 in April 2013. The prototype was so well-received that Yeager decided to expand it into a full-fledged game, which was released in 2015.
The game has been praised for its originality, its addictive gameplay, and its impressive visuals. It’s been featured in numerous publications, including IGN, Polygon, and Eurogamer.
Gameplay
Aerobat is a 2D side-scrolling shmup. The player controls a spaceship that can move left, right, up, and down. The ship can also boost its engines to build speed, or it can fire its weapons to destroy enemies.
The player must carefully manage the ship’s speed and weapons. Boosting the engines increases the ship’s speed, but it also makes it more difficult to control. Firing the weapons slows the ship down, but it also makes it more powerful.
The player must find a balance between speed and firepower in order to survive. Boosting too much can lead to the ship crashing into an obstacle, while firing too much can leave the ship vulnerable to enemy attack.
Levels
Aerobat features 20 levels, each with its own unique challenges. The levels are set in a variety of environments, including space, underwater, and inside a volcano.
Each level is filled with enemies of all shapes and sizes. The player must use their skills and knowledge of the game’s mechanics to defeat the enemies and progress through the level.
Bosses
At the end of each level, the player must face a boss. Bosses are large and powerful enemies that require the player to use all of their skills to defeat them.
Bosses have a variety of attacks, and they can be very difficult to defeat. The player must learn the boss’s patterns and weaknesses in order to emerge victorious.
Power-ups
Aerobat features a variety of power-ups that can help the player defeat their enemies. Power-ups can be found throughout the levels, and they can give the player a variety of benefits, such as increased speed, firepower, or invincibility.
Power-ups can be very helpful, but they can also be dangerous. Some power-ups can have negative side effects, such as making the ship more difficult to control or slowing it down.
Conclusion
Aerobat is a fantastic shmup that’s sure to please fans of the genre. It’s fast, challenging, and addictive, and it features beautiful visuals and a pulse-pounding soundtrack.
If you’re looking for a new shmup to play, I highly recommend Aerobat. It’s one of the best shmups I’ve played in years.
Tips for Playing Aerobat
Here are a few tips to help you get started with Aerobat:
- Learn to manage your speed. Boosting your engines increases your speed, but it also makes your ship more difficult to control. Firing your weapons slows you down, but it also makes you more powerful. You need to find a balance between speed and firepower in order to survive.
- Use the environment to your advantage. The levels in Aerobat are filled with obstacles, such as walls, ceilings, and floors. You can use these obstacles to your advantage by bouncing off of them to gain speed or to avoid enemy fire.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment. Aerobat is a game that rewards experimentation. Try different strategies and see what works best for you. There’s no one right way to play the game.
- Have fun! Aerobat is a game that’s meant to be enjoyed. Don’t get too caught up in trying to get a high score. Just relax and have fun.
Review Score
9/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
