DRAINUS (2022)

Developer: Team Ladybug, WSS playground
Publisher: WSS playground, PLAYISM
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Action, Indie
Rating: 4.8 of 5, 1,142 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 2.4 hours
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A fast-paced side-scrolling shooter where absorbing enemy bullets to power up your ship creates a satisfying risk-reward loop.

fast-pacedarcade-styleenergeticstrategicvisceralaction-packedretrosatisfying

What players say

Players call DRAINUS a short and sweet shmup that is easy on normal difficulty, even beatable on the first try. The core mechanic of absorbing and reflecting enemy bullets is widely enjoyed. Opinions split on the soundtrack, and some find the power-up loss on death frustrating.

Screenshots

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More by WSS playground

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.