Shmup Xydonia is Now on Kickstarter

Who loves a good shmup? For those that don't even know what I'm talking about, a shmup is a short for "shoot-'em-up" which is a pretty fun genre in the video game industry. Well, if you're interested in shmups, indie game developer Breaking Bytes has recently announced that its 2D side-scrolling shmup, Xydonia, is now on Kickstarter for funding. So let's talk about Xydonia for a moment--it's basically an homage to Gradius, R-Type, Darious, and Thunder Force featuring hardcore '90s-style gameplay, a unique cast of pilots, and a soundtrack from legendaries Shinji Hosoe (Dragon SPirit, Under Defeat, Otomedius) and Keishi Yonao (Mad Stalker, Strania), which is crafted using the Yamaha YM2151+Sega PCM sound chip, which is the "big brother" of the FM sound chip used in the Genesis/Mega Drive games.

As for the plot, Xydonia takes place in the year 30XX, where technology allows for easy space travel. Basically, the legacy of Xydonia's inhabitants is a little bit of a mystery; in response, adventurers seeks out remains of ancient civilization. However, none have returned. You must discover the secrets of Xydonia and emerge alive.

Those who back the game will receive a copy of the game, though higher-tiered rewards include the soundtrack, backers' personal likeness featured in the game, and the ability to contribute to bosses, enemies, and playable character designs.

Here are the key features that may (or may not) get you throwing your money at Xydonia:

"A return to the golden age of shmups with hardcore '90s arcade action.

Hand-drawn 2D visuals and unique character designs

Each pilot has their own ship, subweapon, and secret reason for seeking planet Xydonia

A killer YM2151+Sega PCM soundtrack with shmup legends Shinji Hosoe and Keishi Yonao

Multiple paths of destruction for extended replayability and challenge

A unique "scavenge" system that allows purchasing of upgrades on repeat playthroughs."

According to Breaking Bytes Art Director Walter Samperi:

"It's great to see that the shmup genre has found new fertile ground on Steam. Xydonia aims to bring the hardcore arcade experience, both in gameplay and style, to modern standards, while keeping it genuine. Spelunky is one of the most balanced modern arcade experiences, and Xydonia takes inspiration from this philosophy, emphasizing the same short-burst type of play from R-Type, Darius, or Thunder Force and mixing that with Spelunky's long-term replayability and secrets."