Earthion

Earthion is a side-scrolling space shooter from developer Ancient Corporation, led by legendary composer Yuzo Koshiro, known for games like Streets of Rage. The game aims to recapture the essence of classic 16-bit shoot 'em ups like Gradius and Thunder Force, featuring tight controls, challenging gameplay, and a vibrant chiptune soundtrack by Koshiro himself. You play as Azusa Takanashi, piloting the advanced space fighter YK-IIA, on a mission to repel an alien invasion and save a resource-depleted Earth. The game features eight chaotic levels, each with unique environments, enemy types, and challenging boss fights. While originally developed for the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, pushing the 16-bit hardware to its limits, Earthion has also been meticulously ported to modern platforms, including PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, with a physical release for the Genesis/Mega Drive planned for 2026. It offers features like multiple difficulty levels, challenge modes, online leaderboards, and customization options for a classic retro experience on modern displays.