Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers

While it’s far from the best shoot ‘em up of all time, Silpheed on the Sega CD left a lasting impression on me when it first came out. It looked like nothing I had ever seen before and, most importantly, confirmed that while I certainly love the challenge of a side-scrolling shooter, it’s the spectacle that I’m ultimately more interested in. I’m here for the show. Perhaps that’s why I was so excited to play Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers by first-time developer Loomiarts. This is a black and white action game that mimics the schlocky 1950s alien invasion films so closely that you can occasionally see the strings holding up the UFOs. There’s no question that this game has style to spare, but does it overshadow the shoot ‘em up action? That’s what I want to find out in this review of Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers.

When the aliens first landed on Earth, they came in peace. Or so we thought. Little did we know that their new spice-producing corporation would be used to eat away at our laws and rights, ultimately leading to slave labor and hostility amongst the humans. With things only getting worse, a rebel group named Squadron 51 was formed to take drastic action against the lizard-like aliens. Their bombing raids and air skirmishes proved successful, showing the world a new (and violent) side to our so-called friends, and locking us into an all-out war against President Zarog and his fleet of flying saucers.

This is the set-up to an 11-stage shoot ‘em up that you’re never going to forget. Right from the opening level, we can tell that this is going to be something special. It’s in the way the UFO wobbles back and forth, almost like it’s on a line. Or how they use the cigarette burn cue marker to show you where the enemies are coming from. And then there’s the choppy waters below, the film grain, the cheesy dialog, the bombastic score and everything else that comes together to make this look like a classic alien invasion movie from the 1950s.

The shooting action itself isn’t all that remarkable, but there’s a lot to talk about when it comes to the customization. No matter which ship you’re piloting, you always have a standard fire button and two different secondary weapons that you can choose between, including a flamethrower, homing missiles and a bomb. All that is pretty typical of this type of shooter, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. As you play through the levels, you’ll earn points that will go towards unlocking new perks. You’ll eventually be able to equip a whopping twenty different perks, which can be anything from giving yourself extra lives to adding better defenses against bullets to improving the effectiveness of the flamethrower.

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This perk system ends up being a big deal and is one of the best things about Squad 51. The great thing is that these perks aren’t hidden behind beating levels or completing tasks, because your worst attempt to take down the aliens will contribute to unlocking the next perk slot. This is perfect for the type of player who is struggling to get through an especially tough stage. Even when you’re at your lowest point, you know that it’s only a matter of time before you unlock the next perk and slot. Help is on the way.

The fact that this game is so accessible is perfect for a game that relies this much on the style and story. It only flirts with bullet hell patterns, making this an ideal jumping in point for somebody who loves the idea of shooters, but gets frustrated easily by the extreme challenge. That’s not to say that Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers is an easy game, but it’s clear that the developer wants everybody to be able to see the full story.

And when you see the full story, it’s easy to understand why. This game is packed with endearingly cheesy full-motion video cinemas that look like they came straight out of a 70 year old movie. You can’t help but fall in love with the slapped-together sets, the dubious makeup work, the wooden line delivery and the fact that you can tell that the alien’s computer is nothing more than a repurposed suitcase. Best of all, they are constantly finding new ways to poke fun at these cheesy old movies.

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I also like how the story helps to flesh out some of the levels and locations. The desert stage isn’t as visually impressive as other levels, but the story helps to keep you invested in this side of the skirmish. There’s a nix mix of factories, caves, city and even outer space stages to contend with, each with their own visual flourishes. The black and white aesthetic and amazing lighting leads to some absolutely stunning moments, and there are so many stages I want to play again just to see the effects.

That said, there are a few times when the look of the game far exceeds anything possible in the 1950s, something that can sometimes break the illusion. It can also feel like the action in the foreground and what’s happening in the background are two completely different things, which reminded me a lot of my issues with Silpheed on the Sega CD. Thankfully, that isn’t an issue going into the final act. For as good as the setup is, Squad 51 rallies in the final few stages to give us something that is both epic and unforgettable.

If the goal was to be the year’s most memorable shoot ‘em up, then this game absolutely nails what it sets out to do. No matter if you love the style or can’t get into its cheesiness, you’re going to remember Squad 51 vs the Flying Saucers. Between the hammy acting, cheap sets and theremin music, I couldn’t get enough of this game. Sure, it’s a simplistic shooter that is style over everything else, but that style is delicious and it’s worth it for the story alone. Loomiarts is a developer to keep a close eye on.