Enceladus

I believe shmups are one of the pure videogames, one of the defining pillars of videogames along with platformers, puzzlers, adventure games and racing games. As advertised, Enceladus recreates, with really nice graphics, the feel and look of classic 90s shmups from Cave, Taito, Psikyo etc. The kind of game Sega systems were famous for. It also uses the 21st innovation of teleporting from Velocity. Just a great playing, great looking, great sounding old school shmup. Runs perfect on Steam Deck too once you manually map the controls (there's a screen in the game that shows the keyboard letters required to be mapped).

A thumbs up with reservations, a.k.a. a mixed opinion. I really hoped to find some hidden gem. The graphics, even with some roughness around the edges, sport really creative ship designs, starting from the player's, and the game has a teleport mechanic that is essential to pass through several otherwise impassable obstacles. There are places where shooting reveals lotus flowers for extra lives, encouraging the player to try every part of the screen where the ship doesn't collide. The issues lie on the coding side. Having to activate fullscreen every single time the game is launched is a bad start, there is neither a key configuration (I had to use Keyboard Manager to remap some keys) nor controller support. The hitbox is fairly big and the collisions not so precise, which is not great for a teleport that leaves the ship completely exposed during the targeting phase, with no slowdown or such. One of the worst examples is with the second boss: you need to teleport inside it to damage its core, otherwise you only deal chip damage, but the moment it changes to the second phase, its own animation could easily kill you. The game is therefore more difficult than it should be, and not for the best reasons, but it's still worth a try, especially at the very low prices it goes on discount (99 cents as of this writing).

冷門看來是有道理的，遊戲系統基本模倣了《怒首領蜂》，還加了點《千兆之翼》的元素，最大賣點是瞬移，在瞬移條消耗完之前可以無敵地移動到任意地方，對於彈幕遊戲來說操作手感還是可以的，但就是不好玩，關卡設計比較沉悶，沒有劇情，畫風和音樂不知為啥有股咖喱味，最失敗的地方是不支持手柄和不能接關，對於STG來說真難以理解。

This is a mercilessly unforgiving indie shooter with a teleportation gimmick and a cool Eastern-indian theme. The bosses are named after Indian deities and the music sounds meditative and contemplative. The production values aren't great and some of the graphics look a bit wonky (Like storyboards) but the core game is fun, though painful to get through. There are 7 levels and this is the sort of game hat will send you back to the beginning over and over again for a single mistake. Pros: - Original theme, lots of nuance to the gun fighting - Teleporting through barriers is a unique experience - Music is great, graphics are decent - Feels like a game made by Treasure (Doesn't play like one, though) Cons: - Needed a practice mode since I had to restart constantly with no way to learn the pattern - Design felt a little too two dimensional and cheap, considering it's supposed to be like a Saturn game - Story is basically nonexistent Overall: 7/10

Este jogo é um bom arcade Shoot 'em up, não foge aos demais, apenas acho que está um bocado carote para a sua simplicidade... Mas vale a pena. Deixo aqui o meu gameplay e diz-me qual a tua opinião em relação a isto? Junta-te ao meu Exército Indie, subscreve no canal! Preciso de ti soldado! :D https://youtu.be/9oTEvHouZGk

Enceladus is a retro-inspired side-scrolling shoot’em-up that embraces the spirit of arcade classics while introducing enough original ideas to stand apart from the crowd. Developed by Storybird and Julien Rocca and published by Look At My Game and Plug In Digital, the game presents a science-fiction conflict set around Saturn’s icy moon, where humanity faces annihilation at the hands of an enigmatic alien force. Although the story serves mainly as a backdrop for the action, it establishes a fitting sense of urgency and gives players a reason to push deeper into the hostile reaches of space. What immediately separates Enceladus from many traditional shooters is its innovative teleportation mechanic. Rather than relying solely on precise movement and memorization, players command the spacecraft Frost, which can leave behind a temporary marker and instantly warp back to that position. This ability adds an entirely new strategic layer to the experience. Dodging enemy fire becomes less about reacting at the last second and more about planning ahead. Skilled players can use teleportation to bypass dangerous situations, avoid dense bullet formations, and discover alternate routes hidden throughout the levels. It is a simple concept on paper, but it fundamentally changes how encounters are approached and gives the game its unique identity. The combat system supports this mechanic with a satisfying arsenal of offensive options. Standard weapons provide consistent damage output, while a powerful laser attack allows players to focus on stronger enemies and bosses. In addition, a screen-clearing special attack offers a valuable escape tool during overwhelming moments. These abilities create a rewarding balance between offense and defense, encouraging players to carefully manage resources while maintaining an aggressive playstyle. The result is gameplay that remains engaging throughout the campaign rather than becoming repetitive or overly dependent on memorization. Level design is another area where Enceladus performs well. Across its seven stages, the game gradually introduces new enemy formations, environmental hazards, and increasingly challenging encounters. Each stage feels designed around the core mechanics rather than simply serving as a backdrop for waves of enemies. The hidden areas accessible through clever use of teleportation provide an extra incentive to replay levels, adding a sense of discovery that is often absent from more straightforward shooters. This design philosophy rewards experimentation and encourages players to refine their strategies with every run. Visually, the game successfully channels the aesthetics of late-1990s arcade and console shooters. Detailed pixel art, vibrant visual effects, and varied science-fiction environments create a nostalgic atmosphere without feeling outdated. The frozen landscapes associated with Enceladus and the futuristic spacecraft designs help establish a distinctive setting, while explosions and enemy animations provide enough visual excitement to keep the action lively. Although the production values are modest compared to larger modern releases, the presentation demonstrates a clear passion for the genre and remains consistently appealing throughout the adventure. The audio design complements the visuals effectively. The soundtrack enhances the futuristic atmosphere and maintains the energy required for an action-focused experience. Sound effects are crisp and impactful, giving weight to weapon fire, explosions, and special abilities. Together, the audio and visual elements help create a cohesive arcade experience that feels authentic to its inspirations while retaining its own character. Despite its strengths, Enceladus is not entirely free of shortcomings. Some players may find the overall campaign relatively short, especially compared to modern games that emphasize extensive content. The title is clearly built around replayability, mastery, and score chasing rather than a lengthy narrative-driven journey. Technical and customization limitations may also frustrate some users, particularly those who prefer extensive controller support and graphical options. These issues do not undermine the core gameplay, but they can affect the overall experience for certain players. Ultimately, Enceladus succeeds because it understands what makes classic shoot’em-ups enjoyable while introducing a genuinely creative mechanic that alters the traditional formula. The teleportation system adds meaningful depth, the combat remains satisfying, and the level design consistently encourages experimentation and mastery. While its limited scope and technical shortcomings prevent it from becoming a genre-defining masterpiece, it remains an entertaining and inventive shooter that offers something different from many of its contemporaries. Fans of classic arcade action and players seeking a fresh twist on established shoot’em-up mechanics will find plenty to appreciate in this overlooked space adventure. Rating: 6/10

i think only 30 or less people played this game but yeah it's fun and it does feel like a psx game.