“I Got Isekai’d Into a Shmup” wastes no time on its unique premise. The story in this game is that you’re a gamer that has become exhausted after a long day. So you black out and wake up in the middle of a space battle. Though this isn’t just any space battle, but one that’s inside a game world. You as the gamer have been transported into the world of a vertical shmup.
The game leans into this meta-narrative with a humorous dialogue and a self-aware tone that will certainly appeal to fans of the isekai genre. While the plot is rather shallow, do you really need an epic storyline for an arcade style shmup? The plot of this game does serve as a fun and engaging hook that perfectly complements the action-packed gameplay.
At its core, “I Got Isekai’d Into a Shmup” is a love letter to the bullet-hell genre. It feels heavily inspired by classics like DoDonPachi and a bit of Parardius. This is due to its dense bullet patterns, emphasis on weaving through a storm of projectiles, and its bizarre yet humorous plot. The game’s core mechanics are simple but effective: you can choose from four different ships, each with its own firing style. You have a main shot, a powerful but limited bomb, and a “hyper” laser that can only be used when focused.
When you start the game, you can pick one of four ships, each with their own pilot and different shot types. You have two that have waves from type shots and two that have multi-bullet spread shots. Each ship fires a different colored shot that matches the color of the ship. Outside of the different shot types and colors, there is no other difference between the ships.
There are three game modes and three difficulty modes. There is Story, Arcade, and Boss Rush mode. Difficulty settings are normal, hard, and maniac mode. Story mode gives you a story element to the arcade mode, while arcade mode just omits the story elements. Boss Rush is as the name applies, it’s a boss rush mode that has you facing each boss in a row.
Difficulty modes are as one would expect with hard and manic just throwing even more bullets and enemies at you than you would have in normal mode. I think that for most players, normal mode serves up enough of a challenge. Hard and manic modes I feel like are for those that really just feel like punishing themselves.
One of the great things about this game is that despite its simple nature, it offers a unique and rather brutal challenge for those that would like to accept it.
One of the most important mechanics is the hitbox—the tiny pixel in the center of your ship that determines whether you get hit. Now I know what you’re thinking, the hitbox is so small how can the game be that hard? Well it’s in part due to how much the game throws at you all at once. There are enemies and bullets flying everywhere. Mastering the art of dodging a screen full of bullets by a hair’s width is the game’s main draw.
This is a lesson in skill and most importantly patience….er fast reflexes. It’s a challenging but rewarding experience, with a difficulty curve that’s suitable for both newcomers to the genre and veterans looking for a good challenge. While the game is difficult, it’s not impossible and is a lot of fun to play.
“I Got Isekai’d Into a Shmup” combines a colorful, anime-inspired aesthetic with detailed pixel art. The art style fits the isekai theme perfectly, making the world feel like a living, breathing arcade game. Despite the chaotic action on screen, the performance holds up well, with no noticeable slowdowns. The vibrant colors and clear visual cues make it easy to follow the action, even when the screen is filled with hundreds of bullets.
The soundtrack is a standout feature. It’s filled with high-energy rock and metal tracks that perfectly match the fast-paced gameplay. The sound effects are sharp and impactful, from the satisfying blast of your main weapon to the roar of explosions. Even the voices of the characters sound crisp and really clear. It really adds some depth to the characters instead of having the ships being piloted by generic and silent protagonists.The combination of the visuals and sound creates an immersive experience that keeps you coming back for more.
“I Got Isekai’d Into a Shmup” may not have the most complex story, but it delivers where it counts: fast, fun, and challenging bullet-hell gameplay. The clever use of the isekai trope gives it a fresh feel, while the rock-solid mechanics and excellent presentation make it a must-play for fans of the genre. Yes the game is brutal and unforgiving but that’s part of what draws people to games like this. You play the game for the challenge and the sense of accomplishment once the game has been finished. If you’re a fan of bullet hell games that are a true testament to patience, skill, and fast reflexes, then you really need to play this game!
Disclaimer: A review key was provided
In addition to writing articles, Ryan Byers also creates content for his YouTube channel called "Obscure Games and Consoles", collects video games, and dabbles in video game development.