Stardust Galaxy Warriors: Stellar Climax

 Some mecha shmups game from my Switch Backlog that I recently finished my first Run and for its price, it is the bang for the buck. Aksys Games tend to be associated with 2D Fighting Games due to their portfolios but from time to times they do release some JRPGs as overseas publisher. However Mecha games is still an exception and Stardust Galaxy Warrior catches my attention by that factor alone.

 Developed by Finland Devs, Dreamloop Games. Stardust Galaxy Warriors is a Horizontal mecha shooter game that has customizable loadouts and parameters. Another selling point is that this game features couch coop mode up to 4-players which kinda emulate the PS3 Local co-op eras like Castle Crashers. In Stardust Galaxy Warriors, you have 5 playable mechs that can use same main weapons but each have different special abilities and the players are encouraged to find playstyle suitable for them whether it is classic range shooter or full frontal close combat. 

  For a Bullet Hell Game made by a western dev, from a Casual Shmups gamer perspective Stardust Galaxy Warriors is actually a well made one and can held its head high with its Japanese peer. Compared to Astebreed, Stardust Galaxy Warriors scratch my itch better since it strongly reminds me of Brave Blade Arcade shooter game and it would have been perfect if the game is not kinda rushed nearing the endgame part as the Final Boss do really get very cheap even in Normal Difficulties. Personally I feel Stardust Galaxy Warriors could have left a bigger lasting impact if the Dev could have designed more distinct Asymmetrical RPG aspects of each unit along with immersive elements. But for a Shmups games, Stardust Galaxy Warriors fulfill all of the mandatory requirements.