Magical Something and Tiny Dragon Games announced today that the demo for their upcoming game, IKARUS, is now available on Steam and Itch.io.
IKARUS fuses the lightning-fast, skill-based chaos of classic arcade shoot ’em ups with the deep strategy of a roguelike deck-builder.
The game casts the player as a lone, ancient guardian, flying to the rescue of the Sun-Goddess, Amaterasu, fighting through hordes of hostile machines in an unforgiving robotic world, as the clock ticks to Armageddon. Battle through multiple levels, each with themed waves of unique robot enemies, mini-bosses, and titanic final bosses.
Each run starts with the player picking one of three Archetypes, each combining two card colours and weapon-types for unique playstyles. They can then combine cards and augments from their chosen Archetype into powerful synergies. For example, a player can spawn the Butterfly.exe construct, which fires missiles every time you draw a card, and then use cards like Pyre and Flash of Genius to churn through their deck, unleashing a continuous and deadly swarm of homing missiles.
Every battle is a two-phase dance of strategy and execution. Before each wave, the player crafts an attack plan by queuing cards in the perfect sequence. Then, the battle begins, and the player’s skills and strategy are tested as they dodge, parry, shoot, and unleash powerful combos at the perfect moment. In true roguelike fashion, players can add new cards and upgrades over their run – and even sacrifice their cards to gain powerful weapon upgrades – offering plenty of ways to craft game-breaking synergies.
Every run makes the player stronger. Persistent Progression means you earn experience to level up and permanently expand your arsenal for all future flights, turning failed runs into future victories by unlocking new cards, upgrades, and player skills.
The demo features the first level of IKARUS. The full game, coming this Summer, will feature two additional levels, each with a unique roster of enemies, mini-bosses and formidable level boss, leading to an epic final showdown, as well as high-skill challenges, and an expanded arsenal, with new cards, augments and skills. The full game will also introduce even more replayability, with a difficulty-scaling Ascension system and Endless Mode.
The full version of IKARUS is scheduled to release this Summer on PC and Mac, and players can add it to their wishlist on Steam now.
Other Bullet Hell Game News: Top down bullet hell where time moves when you move, Enter the Chronosphere enters Early Access on May 14th.
