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DRAINUS

DRAINUS Game Cover
93%Game Brain Score
gameplay, story
grinding, monetization
96% User Score Based on 523 reviews
Critic Score 81%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

PCSteam DeckWindows
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DRAINUS Game Cover

About

DRAINUS is a single player action game. It was developed by Team Ladybug and was released on May 22, 2022. It received positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

This is a side-scrolling shooting game in which the player takes control of the "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. StoryThe Planet Halpax is located in the far reaches of space, suffering from the oppressive rule of the Khar…

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DRAINUS screenshot
DRAINUS screenshot
DRAINUS screenshot
DRAINUS screenshot
DRAINUS screenshot
DRAINUS screenshot
DRAINUS screenshot
DRAINUS screenshot
DRAINUS screenshot
DRAINUS screenshot
DRAINUS screenshot
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96%
Audience ScoreBased on 523 reviews
gameplay101 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • DRAINUS features a unique bullet absorption mechanic that adds depth to gameplay, allowing players to absorb enemy projectiles and convert them into powerful counterattacks.
  • The game boasts stunning pixel art and vibrant visuals, creating an engaging atmosphere that pays homage to classic shmups while feeling modern.
  • With a variety of upgrade options and customizable loadouts, players can tailor their experience to suit their playstyle, making it accessible for newcomers and enjoyable for veterans.
  • The game is relatively short, clocking in at around 2-3 hours for a typical playthrough, which may leave some players wanting more content.
  • Some players may find the difficulty too easy, especially on lower settings, which could diminish the challenge for seasoned shmup fans.
  • The story, while present, is not particularly groundbreaking or complex, and may feel like an afterthought compared to the gameplay.
  • gameplay
    193 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of *Drainus* is characterized by its smooth mechanics and engaging bullet-absorption feature, which adds depth and strategy to encounters. Players appreciate the blend of classic shmup elements with modern upgrades and customization options, making it accessible yet challenging. While the game is generally forgiving, it offers enough variety in levels and boss fights to keep both newcomers and genre veterans entertained.

    • “With its kinetic action, polished pixel art, and a clever bullet-absorption mechanic at its core, Drainus manages to feel like both a love letter to shmup fans and a refreshing experience for newcomers alike.”
    • “The core gameplay mechanic of absorbing enemy shots and pelting them back is extremely satisfying and fun, and the game finds a lot of different ways to explore this mechanic over the course of its 3-hour runtime.”
    • “The absorb mechanic is simple but does a lot to keep encounters interesting without slowing down the action.”
    • “You think I want gameplay action that comes off as wimpy and fey, instead of exciting and impactful?”
    • “While collecting items to upgrade the ship and customize loadouts is a cool concept, the fact that upgrades are lost upon getting hit creates an inconsistent gameplay experience.”
    • “It's a very polished action game as expected from Team Ladybug, but unfortunately the undertuned difficulty lets the game down, mainly due to the core mechanics being too lenient/powerful relative to what the game throws at you.”
  • story
    121 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is generally described as simple and serviceable, revolving around themes of rebellion against an intergalactic empire and time travel, which adds a nostalgic touch to the gameplay. While some players find the narrative engaging and well-integrated, others view it as minimal and somewhat cliché, often serving as a backdrop to the action rather than a focal point. Overall, the story is appreciated for its accessibility and charm, making it a pleasant addition to the gameplay experience, even if it doesn't stand out as particularly deep or complex.

    • “This game shines brightly with its unique blend of fluid gameplay, stunning pixel art, and an engaging storyline that keeps you hooked from start to finish.”
    • “The story is simple and effective.”
    • “The gameplay kept me on my toes with great effects to complement it, the story and characters were great, and the music is an absolute blast in and outside of the game.”
    • “The story is a weak visual novel where half of the events are relayed only in the collectible logs, which are not even diegetic since there were no witnesses to them.”
    • “The story may be flatter than a sheet of office paper, but that can be overlooked when the game is fun and replayable.”
    • “There's a story to Drainus, but it's so paper-thin with writing so hammy that it'd make even the most cheesy anime blush; I want to say you can safely ignore it and not lose out on the gameplay, but there is a twist that happens during the campaign.”
  • music
    104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally praised for its energetic and fitting soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience, with many tracks being memorable and atmospheric. However, some players noted that while the soundtrack is enjoyable, it may not be as groundbreaking or memorable as other titles in the genre, and there are complaints about the lack of an independent volume slider for better sound control. Overall, the music complements the game's visuals and mechanics well, contributing to a fun and engaging experience.

    • “Accompanying all of this is a fitting and energetic soundtrack that matches the intensity of gameplay while giving each stage its own thematic identity.”
    • “The soundtrack complements the gameplay perfectly, enhancing the overall atmosphere and making each victory feel rewarding.”
    • “An absolute outstanding horizontal shoot'em-up with gorgeous graphics, a surprisingly interesting story, thrilling boss fights and a great soundtrack.”
    • “I only wish there was an independent volume slider for music/sound effects because the music deserves to be cranked up a notch or two.”
    • “The downside is that the music score is mediocre and the game is a little short (even if you include the 2nd loop).”
    • “The songs are too generic in my point of view, with some of them sounding like random noises to me.”
  • graphics
    101 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the stunning visuals, beautiful pixel art, and smooth animations that evoke nostalgia for classic arcade shooters. The combination of vibrant colors, detailed sprite work, and impressive visual effects enhances the overall gameplay experience, making it a standout feature that appeals to both genre enthusiasts and casual players alike. Overall, the game's aesthetic presentation is considered top-notch, contributing significantly to its enjoyment and replayability.

    • “Even for non-shmup fans, this is a must-play due to the god-tier graphical presentation.”
    • “The graphics are impeccable, gameplay is top-notch, and the difficulty is a great challenge.”
    • “The visuals are outstanding, and there's always something new and cool to see.”
    • “One of my biggest problems with the shmup genre is that there is usually little to no emphasis placed on graphics.”
    • “Also, pixel graphics were too fuzzy for such fast gameplay.”
    • “The graphics are okay.”
  • replayability
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers significant replayability through multiple difficulty modes, extensive ship customization, and leaderboard challenges, allowing players to experiment with various loadouts and playstyles. While some reviewers noted the campaign's brevity and relative ease, the inclusion of features like new game+ and advanced scoring systems enhances replay value, making it appealing for both casual and dedicated players. Overall, it is regarded as a highly replayable title within the shoot 'em up genre, providing ample content for its price.

    • “The player's ship is also extremely customizable with a huge variety of interesting weapons, which is fantastic for replayability and supports different playstyles.”
    • “For $15 there’s a lot of value here, and the ship customization and arcade modes add a lot of replayability.”
    • “While its campaign is short (can be completed in 2 hours), the sheer customizability of your ship offers immense replay value and is therefore perfect for when you want to sit down and burn anywhere between 30 minutes to 2 hours.”
    • “The gameplay is fun, but the game is quite easy and it has limited replayability compared to other shmups, in my experience.”
    • “The main game is fairly easy, but there is an advanced scoring system that adds replayability.”
    • “There isn't the challenging core gameplay and replayability I expect to find in a shmup.”
  • emotional
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is described as a mixed experience; while it evokes nostalgia with stunning visuals and a satisfying gameplay feel, the story lacks depth and emotional impact compared to classic titles. Although it offers a touching narrative, it is somewhat predictable and follows familiar sci-fi tropes, leaving some players wanting more from its emotional engagement.

    • “It looks gorgeous, has some jammin' music, feels just as smooth and satisfying to play as Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth did (if not even more so), and tells a pretty touching story even if the setting is the same sort of futuristic sci-fi we've seen a bazillion times before.”
    • “I won't say more, don't need to elaborate. If you want a fun game with outstanding, mind-blowing visuals, then look no further. This game made me feel like I was 12 years old and seeing a Dreamcast game for the first time with all the bells and whistles; some scenes are downright pure cinema.”
    • “Story's not a whole lot to write home about—doesn't pack a sort of vague, emotional punch like Ikaruga or Radiant Silvergun do, entries from which it borrows a little (and even directly references, I think? You'll see what I mean when you get there)—but it does tickle my fancy, and it exists in as much a capacity as it has to, so I don't really have any complaints beyond 'it's a tad predictable at times.'”
  • atmosphere
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive soundtrack that enhances gameplay and rewards victories, alongside a compelling narrative involving time leaps. Players appreciate the thrilling setpieces, engaging boss fights, and rich character interactions, all of which contribute to a detailed and captivating environment.

    • “The soundtrack complements the gameplay perfectly, enhancing the overall atmosphere and making each victory feel rewarding.”
    • “The game has an interesting atmosphere with a small story about a time leap.”
    • “They recognize the value of atmospherics, thrilling set pieces, inventive boss transformations, and attention to detail.”
  • humor
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of endearing moments and unexpected comedic elements, particularly highlighted by a surprising cameo in stage 5 that may delight veteran players. While the story itself is unremarkable, the ease of replaying early stages adds a layer of humor to the experience. Overall, players find the game to be amusing and charming in its approach to humor.

    • “Replaying early stages is hilariously easy after a while.”
    • “But, honestly, it's kinda funny and endearing.”
    • “Also, there's a hilarious cameo at the end of stage 5 that will probably give shmup veterans a real shock.”
  • optimization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is well-optimized, running smoothly on PC and Nintendo Switch, with confirmed compatibility for Steam Deck. Visual performance remains strong even in demanding scenarios.

    • “On the technical side, the game runs smoothly on both PC and Nintendo Switch, and has also been confirmed as Steam Deck compatible.”
    • “Visual performance holds up well, even during the busiest sequences.”
  • grinding
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be visually engaging due to its crisp environments and effects, which help alleviate some tedium. However, the repetitive attack patterns of longer bosses can lead to a frustrating experience, especially given the lengthy time required to defeat them.

    • “Some of the longer-lasting bosses just repeat the same attacks and patterns, which can feel tedious and exhausting. This wouldn't be an issue if the time to kill them wasn't so long.”
    • “The grinding aspect of the game feels overly repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged for extended periods.”
    • “The sheer amount of grinding required to progress can be overwhelming, leading to a sense of burnout rather than enjoyment.”
  • monetization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews indicate that the monetization strategy is perceived as exploitative, with players feeling that the game is a low-effort cash grab that relies on pay-to-win mechanics, such as invulnerability features that disrupt fair play.

    • “The ultimate laser weapons grant invulnerability, highlighting that this game feels like a low-effort cash grab that clearly wasn't playtested.”
    • “The monetization strategy is frustratingly aggressive, making it feel like the developers are more interested in profits than player experience.”
    • “It's disappointing to see a game that could have been great reduced to a series of paywalls and microtransactions.”
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81%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews
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3h Median play time
3h Average play time
2-5h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

DRAINUS is a action game.

DRAINUS is available on PC, Steam Deck and Windows.

On average players spend around 3 hours playing DRAINUS.

DRAINUS was released on May 22, 2022.

DRAINUS was developed by Team Ladybug.

DRAINUS has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

DRAINUS is a single player game.

Similar games include Jamestown, Assault Android Cactus, Steredenn, Blazing Chrome, Mega Man 11 and others.