The Switch version of side-scrolling shoot ’em up DRAINUS will launch on February 2, 2023, publisher PLAYISM and developer Team Ladybug announced.
DRAINUS first launched for PC via Steam on May 22.
Here is an overview of the game, via PLAYISM:
■ About
This is a side-scrolling shooter in which the player takes control of “Drainus,” a ship that can absorb energy bullets, to take down the countless enemy ships zipping through space. Energy absorbed can be used to enhance the ship’s functions, such as adding new weapons.
■ Story
The Planet Halpax is located in the far reaches of space, suffering from the oppressive rule of the Kharlal Empire. One of the slaves residing there is battling an illness. He must return home to the faraway planet of Earth to be cured of the disease, known as “Planetary Compatibility Disorder.”
His daughter Irina, also a slave, is both devastated by her father’s illness and helpless to do anything about it. At that moment, a humanoid named Ghenie, who looks strangely like a frog, appears and says, “I have come from 30 years in the future. A galactic war is about to break out, in which more than 5000 planets will be annihilated by the Kharlal Empire. I have come to this time period to stop that war and the oppressive rule of the Kharlal Empire. I need your help.”
Why me? What can I do? Irina had no idea what was going on, but her father’s illness was worsening by the minute. With no time to hesitate and nowhere else to turn, she takes Gehnie’s green hand and sets off…
Now she has begun her journey into a universe filled with the armies of the Kharlal Empire, and her quest to reach her distant home planet while taking the Empire down once and for all.
■ Features
The “reflector,” which absorbs enemy bullets, is the most distinctive feature of this game. When activated, it absorbs enemy attacks for a certain period of time. Drainus will counterattack according to the number of attacks absorbed.
Absorbed energy is also stored in a tank, which can be used to enhance various functions of Drainus.
■ Characters
Irina
In order to save her father, Irina takes the “Drainus,” the most advanced fighter of the Kharlal Empire, and sets out for her home planet far away from Earth
Leila
Commander of the Kharlal Empire. Sister of Irina, she joined the Imperial Army as a child.
Gehnie
A humanoid soldier who came from the future to prevent the oppression of the Kharlal Empire and galactic war.
Izumo
General of the Kharlal Empire. A wicked but very capable soldier who holds full authority over the imperial army.