Bullet hell shoot ’em ups (shmups) are the poison of many masochistic gamers; those who like nothing more than to be lit up with bright lights and thousands of bullets coming towards them, all in the pursuit of a high score. 7 Raven Studios’ Shootvaders The Beginning on Xbox is one such title.
Aye Aye, Captain!
Shootvaders The Beginning, releasing today on Xbox platforms (a PC release came in 2021, with PlayStation and Switch editions coming very soon), sees you don the captain’s hat of Captain Dorin Fisher. You’ve been tasked with finding a new habitable planet for humans to escape to, with the end of Earth imminent. However, alien forces from all corners of the universe are intent on stopping him, with tons of firepower to unload.
What follows is you, as Fisher, playing through a Space Invaders-esque war of attrition. This means you’ll move horizontally across the level, constantly firing at oncoming enemy ships. It’s simple enough to understand – hit the enemies with your bullets, and avoid theirs – but to master this will require cat-like reflexes. Oh, and an understanding of how best to avoid the incoming fire.
Pursuing Upgrades
Destruction of enemy ships will see you acquire salvage which can be used to upgrade your ship. Each wave will see the opposition grow stronger, so those upgrades are great to have on your side.
Additionally, the big number at the top of the screen represents the score that you have attained in the level. Should you so wish, Shootvaders The Beginning has the option for you to replay levels and attain the highest of high scores. If only for bragging rights amongst your mates.
Play Shootvaders The Beginning on Xbox Now!
Shootvaders The Beginning is now available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC. To pick up a copy on Xbox, blast on over to the Xbox Store, where you can get the game for £5.79.
Game Description
“Your mission: blast out of this galaxy and find an exotic new planet and new possibilities for all of humanity. We have reports there are hostile forces gathering from all corners of the universe. The alien scum will stop at nothing to destroy you!
Story: Your mission briefing, Captain Dorin Fischer, is to save the future of humanity by finding a place for us to live. Your training has prepared you to drop into a combat trance as you mow down endless aliens hostiles, but to succeed you’ll need expert combat reflexes and piloting skills.
Enemies will come in waves. Stay alive as long as possible to collect salvage to upgrade your ship. But your enemies are improving too, each wave they will get stronger. The only path to the promised new world is to travel through space-time: a gateway between galaxies. Be warned, touching a crystal inside the gate could have dire consequences.
Good luck, Captain!