ASTROLANCER combines top-down shooter and shoot 'em up gameplay into one action-packed experience! Devise your own playstyle with a huge variety of weapons. Hardcore and casual players alike are welcome!
The game allows players to devise their own playstyle through a wide variety of weapons and secondary "ARMS" abilities, which they can swap out at checkpoints. This variety in loadout options encourages replayability as players experiment with different combinations to find their preferred playstyle.
Reviewers note the game seamlessly blends top-down exploration/shooting sections and vertical scrolling shoot 'em up (shmup) segments. Players report the controls and feel of the gameplay remain consistent, enabling a smooth experience as the game shifts between the two distinct gameplay modes.
On the normal difficulty setting, the game presents a challenging but manageable experience, particularly for those new to the shmup genre. Higher difficulty settings increase the speed and volume of enemy bullets rather than inflating health, creating a fair, skill-based challenge that seasoned players appreciate.
The game caters to players of all skill levels by providing a built-in cheat menu that allows users to toggle various gameplay modifiers. This enables less experienced players to enjoy the experience without feeling overwhelmed, while still providing a pure, challenging experience for those seeking it.
Reviewers consistently praise the game's tight, responsive controls, particularly the feel of the shooting and movement. The invincible "Thrust Attack" ability is highlighted as a clever and satisfying mechanic that allows players to break through tough situations.
The game's level design and enemy placement are frequently cited as being well-crafted, with creative and challenging room layouts and boss patterns that test the player's skills. The variety of enemies and their attack patterns also contribute to the engaging gameplay.