HEIANKYO ALIEN / 平安京エイリアン (2017)

Developer: Mindware
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Action, Indie
Rating: 4.3 of 5, 35 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 2.9 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 speedy, retro score-attack compilation where you dig and trap aliens against a ticking clock.

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What players say

Players praise this as a fast-paced reimagining of the original arcade game, comparing it to Pac-Man Championship Edition. Each round caps at about five minutes, and the scoring system rewards aggressive play with combos and area control. The visuals draw comparisons to Tempest 2000, and frequent post-launch updates polished the experience.

Screenshots

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More by Mindware

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.