FORTRESS DEFENDER (2021)

Developer: opmregisters
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Action, Indie
Rating: 4.5 of 5, 11 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 3.2 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, arcade-style side-scrolling shooter with retro pixel graphics and a focus on dodging hazards and collecting power-ups.

retro shooterarcade-stylefast-pacedchallengingside-scrollingpower-up heavypixel graphicssnowy

What players say

Players call this a faithful 80s-style horizontal shmup that channels Gradius and Thunder Cross, with tight controls and a strong soundtrack. The difficulty is a sticking point, even easy mode feels excessive to some, and the return revival system can punish. A few note that key mechanics are not explained in-game, requiring the manual or practice mode to enjoy.

Screenshots

More games like this

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.