Project Starship X

For the past few years, Panda Indie Studio has quietly built a reputation as the go-to developer for small and stylish throwback games. From the striking color choices in Red Death to the low-fi action of Null Drifter to Pity Pit's clever take on Dig Dug, I always know that I'm in for a good time when I see that Panda logo. Their newest game is Project Starship X, an updated version of a PC shooter first released back in 2015. It's an over-the-top action game with random levels, a few clever ideas and an almost unhealthy amount of 16-bit charm. But is Project Starship X a victim of style over substance? That's what I want to find out.

Hop in your ship and blast off, because the universe is under attack and only you can save it. Project Starship X is the latest in a long string of shoot 'em ups that hopes you'll be too busy dodging bullets to realize that there isn't a story. The developer uses terms like "cosmic horror" and "Lovecraftian parody" to explain what's happening, but it doesn't really matter. All you need to know is that you're about to jump in the cockpit and shoot down a bunch of aliens in 14 different sci-fi stages.

The gimmick here is that the colorful cast of characters can use their X Maneuver to dash around the screen avoiding bullets, snagging power-ups and even killing enemies with low health. We only have one life to live, but our trusty ship can sustain (and regain) shields that will give the player a fighting chance. Taking too many hits will not only cause the ship to explode, but send us back to the very beginning of the game. Yes, it's that kind of game.

Project Starship X is a self-described "Rogue-Lite" shooter, so expect it to be both challenging and random. The goal is to fight through 14 diverse stages, though you'll only be fed five at a time. Although most of these levels are set against the typical space background or asteroid field, there are a few standouts that show a developer trying to add to the all-too-familiar formula. For example, there's a really cool stage where we're skimming the sun and slowly getting sucked into its gravity. There are also stages where our ship will turn into something resembling a car, which will have us jumping over enemies and obstacles. And that's not the only kind of alternate vehicle at our disposal, as there are parts of the game where we'll want to crash our ship into much larger vessels in order to add to the firepower. There's definitely a nice variety of things to do beyond just shooting bad guys and dodging bullets.

On top of being fed different stages in each playthrough, you'll also find that the levels themselves are procedurally generated. This allows every session to play out in unique ways and feel fresh each time, two things that cement Project Starship X as a great short-burst shooter. It may not be the kind of game you spend hours mastering, but it's the perfect game to load up when you have a few minutes and want to chase that high score. It's just hard enough to give us a challenge, but not so difficult that it's inaccessible to casual shoot 'em up fans. And just in case you're worried there isn't enough content, it's worth mentioning that there are a number of unlockable modes that will increase the difficult, randomize everything, have you fighting nothing but bosses and more. This may be a straight-forward vertical shooter, but it's loaded with enough content to keep you coming back long after you've seen all the stages.

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Project Starship X is also loaded with charm. This is a seriously stylish shooter with memorable pixel enemies and a great sense of humor. I love the mix of Lovecraftian horror and cartoony characters, and this game doesn't miss a chance to have fun with the premise. The humor onslaught starts the moment you have to choose a pilot and doesn't stop there, even going as far as to mock the player for reading a tutorial guide. Having played games like Red Death and Pity Pit, this is exactly the kind of game I expected from Panda Indie Studio. And that's a good thing.

That said, I wish there was a little more "Lovecraftian parody" to the "cosmic horror" theme. Don't get me wrong, the game is goofy and I love its sense of humor, but it also feels like it's not as biting as it could have been. When you strip away some of the style, we see a fairly straight-forward space shooter that imitates more than innovates. It's also a nightmare to see what's going on when playing with a second person. There are times when the style and charm that I like so much ultimately gets in the way, but it's never enough to ruin the fun. It's a little rough around the edges, but Project Starship X is always fun.

With cool pixel graphics, a fun chiptunes soundtrack and an enticing horror theme, Project Starship X is a stylish new shooter that will satisfy both casuals and hardcore genre fans alike. It's loaded with modes and memorable moments, making this a great choice when you have a few minutes to burn. It's a little shallow and the two-player mode is hard to keep track of, but Project Starship X is even more proof that Panda Indie Studio is a developer that should be on your radar.