#shmup

AMATA Games will release Cat Hui Trading LLC-developed side-scrolling robot shoot ’em up Changeable Guardian ESTIQUE for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Switch, and PC via Steam and Microsoft Store on August 6, the companies announced.

Changeable Guardian ESTIQUE first launched for Famicom / Nintendo Entertainment System on December 16, 2024.

Here is an overview of the game, via its Steam page:

About

The 8-bit shoot ’em up Changeable Guardian ESTIQUE, born in the 21st century! Faithfully ported to consoles and PC, Changeable Guardian ESTIQUE was created in the 21st century as a completely new title for Nintendo Entertainment System ROM cartridges. Includes both the Nintendo Entertainment System version and the Famicom version, which have different story. Enjoy printed materials and various visuals in Gallery Mode.

Simple Yet Deep Game System

This side-scrolling shooter features six stages themed after cities around the world. The super-variable robot “Estique” can transform at any time between the “Fighter Form,” which has a small vertical hitbox, and the “Robot Form,” which nullifies terrain damage and excels at recovery. Mastering the strategic switching between these two forms and two types of equipment is key to clearing the game. Furthermore, the scoring system utilizing the “Super Weapon” special attack—activated by rapid-firing the shot button—adds depth to the gameplay. With a life system that regenerates over time and the removal of power-ups, the game design prioritizes accessibility. A strategic shooting experience awaits you, enjoyable for everyone from beginners to advanced players.

Story

In the year 2413, the Earth was invaded by evil space pirates “Van-De-Raus.” They are dominating 5 big economic cities and taking control of the world economy. Friendly planet, Petelgeuse, decided to save the Earth from space pirates and send reinforcement. Ace pirots, Mary and Kanon, ride on ESTIQUE and now launching to the Earth. Mary, you must be the messiah of the Earth. A tomorrow winner is you!

Key Features

Fully includes both the Nintendo Entertainment System version and the Famicom version, which feature different stories and some graphics.

Quick Save and Load / Rewind functions make it accessible even for those less skilled at shooters.

Full controller support ensures comfortable play anytime.

CRT filter recreates the nostalgic look of a CRT television.

Includes Gallery Mode. Enjoy the instruction manual, box art, and cartridge visuals.

Watch a new trailer below.

Consoles and PC Release Date Trailer

English

Japanese

Today's Aerostrike progress report:

1) Demo construction is underway! It may not be the prettiest, but hopefully it'll be fully functional.

2) Initial section is done, which includes the basic controls tutorial. Next up comes weapon swapping and combat!

Starry Marchen. free browser bullet hell, no install, no signup, just click and you're dodging bullets as a magical girl with an auto-firing wand. found it looking for something to kill five minutes and now it's been way more than five minutes.

why bullet hell games do this to me

your character shoots on its own. you just move. sounds chill until the screen fills up with bullets and you're weaving through gaps with your life on the line.

then there's grazing — skim past a bullet close enough (not touching it, just close) and you get bonus score plus ultimate gauge charge. chain kills without getting hit and your combo multiplier stacks up.

get hit once, combo's gone. you die and immediately think "I could've grazed that" and queue up another run.

what's actually different about this one

three characters, three whole vibes

Peachy 🐰 — balanced, her Heart Burst skill fires 9 heart bullets in a fan

Mint 🐱 — fastest of the three, Starlight Storm sends out 12 homing shots in every direction

Shushu 🐻 — bigger, slower, tankier, Cookie Shield gives brief invincibility + knocks enemies back

enemies and weapons both have variety three enemy types (straight fallers, wavy sine-curve movers, and ones that stop and aim at you directly) plus three weapon pickups — spread shot, homing shot, piercing laser. each one changes how you play for a bit.

graze + ultimate system skim bullets close enough, gauge fills, pop the ultimate and wipe every bullet on screen plus deal damage around you. clutch move when things go sideways.

boss every 3 waves spiral bullet patterns at first, then it switches to aimed bursts once its hp drops below half. killing one drops a pile of items plus bonus score.

controls

desktop: click and drag to move, attacks are automatic mobile: touch drag or the virtual joystick bottom-left, attacks automatic

that's it. movement is the whole game, but doing it well takes actual practice.

tips if you're trying to survive longer

graze bullets instead of dodging wide — you get score and ultimate charge either way, might as well get both. keep your combo alive by chaining kills, one hit resets the whole multiplier. match your weapon to what's on screen — spread/homing for groups, laser for bosses.

quick FAQ

mobile friendly? yes, touch drag or joystick, works on desktop/phone/tablet.

do I need an account? nope, just open it and play.

hard to learn? attacks are automatic so controls are simple, the actual challenge is dodging well.

free? completely, no payments anywhere.

browser support? chrome, safari, edge, firefox, all good.

more free browser games at game.flexeam.com — no downloads, ever.

👉 play now: Starry Marchen

💬 Flexeam same words, completely different mood — depending on which speech bubble you send them in. take a look at Flexeam.