Aeternum

About

Aeternum is an original side-scrolling shoot 'em up featuring five stages of intense bullet hell action. Face off against eight bosses, cats in teacups, and spaceship faring corgis choosing to play from 4 different modes and 5 difficulty settings. Ellica is a Demonic Magic Studies student at one of the most prestigious schools in the realm, Aeternum Academy. But her schoolwork has to take a back …

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

100%

Audience ScoreBased on 16 reviews

gameplay2 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game offers enjoyable gameplay with good mechanics, making it a fantastic experience for players.
The soundtrack is highly praised, with many players finding it worth the price of admission and a highlight of the game.
Aeternum provides a rewarding challenge with its bullet hell mechanics, allowing for nearly infinite retries in Story mode, making it accessible for players of varying skill levels.

The game still uses 360 button prompts in tutorials and text boxes, which may confuse some players.
Some players feel that the game could benefit from a co-op option to enhance the multiplayer experience.
While the game is well-made, it may not appeal to those who are not fans of the danmaku/bullet hell genre.

story
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
58%
25%
The story is characterized by its charming and whimsical narrative, emphasizing resilience and the unpredictability of life. Players can enjoy a side-scrolling shoot 'em up experience with a unique retry mechanic in story mode, while veterans can opt for an arcade mode that focuses on gameplay without narrative distractions. The conclusion features a clever extra boss that leaves players satisfied and eager for more adventures in this quirky universe.
- “An extra boss, again touhou-esque, concludes the story in a clever manner that leaves it satisfying and also whets my appetite for other games in this goofy universe.”
- “And if that's not enough, on story mode you get nearly infinite retries so long as each death just throws you back in with much less power and you can keep coming back as long as your power doesn't hit zero; a boss would have to utterly destroy you for that to happen.”
- “The story is charming enough and worth the trip.”
- “For the veterans, an arcade mode drops the story chatter and the infinite respawn gimmick, as well as four difficulties to meet you wherever you like on skill level from a walk in the park to a walk through Detroit with the wrong gang colors while Pyramid Head, Nemesis, and the T-1000 are after you for your past, present, and future.”
- “An extra boss, again Touhou-esque, concludes the story in a clever manner that leaves it satisfying and also whets my appetite for other games in this goofy universe.”
music
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
45%
27%
The music in the game has received high praise for its relaxing and trippy qualities, with many players highlighting the soundtrack as a standout feature that enhances the overall experience. The chiptune-inspired tracks are described as enjoyable and worth the price of admission, making it a significant draw for fans of side-scrolling shoot 'em ups. Additionally, the soundtrack is available for free through Steam, further adding to its appeal.
- “Nice game with some trippy background transitions, the soundtrack alone is worth the price of admission.”
- “I enjoy the soundtrack the most.”
- “Pick up if you enjoy side-scrolling shoot 'em ups, wild happy music, and magic storylines!”
- “I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
- “Nice game with some trippy background transitions, the soundtrack alone is worth the price of admission if you like chiptune.”
- “Edit: this review used to link to the soundtrack on Bandcamp, but it doesn't seem to be there anymore as of the time of update.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally view grinding positively, particularly for game farming, as it allows for resource accumulation and character progression. However, the repetitive nature of grinding may not appeal to everyone.
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The gameplay is characterized by solid mechanics and a high level of enjoyment, making for a satisfying gaming experience.
- “Good mechanics and enjoyable gameplay.”
graphics
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The graphics feature vibrant, trippy visuals reminiscent of the Touhou series, enhancing the experience during boss encounters. Players can appreciate the dynamic patterns and scoring mechanics, which are visually engaging and support various gameplay styles, including a pacifist mode.
- “The trippy visuals during boss encounters are reminiscent of classic Touhou games, adding a unique flair to the experience.”
- “The graphics are stunning, with vibrant colors and intricate designs that truly bring the game world to life.”
- “The art style is beautifully crafted, making every scene visually captivating and immersive.”