Project AETHER: First Contact

With its bite-sized campaign, this title probably isn’t going to keep you busy for too long. However, between the game’s various difficulty modes and an assortment of unlockable weapons to experiment with, there’s more than enough here to keep you glued to your Switch for a weekend. If you’re a fan of both twin-stick and bullet hell shooters and are looking for a game that scratches that score-chasing itch, Project Aether: First Contact delivers just that.

73%Game Brain Score

story, graphics

gameplay

100% User Score Based on 24 reviews

Critic Score 72%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $5.99

Buy NowGet on Steam €10.79

About

Project AETHER: First Contact is a single player tactical shooter game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Sleepy Spider Studios and was released on February 24, 2020. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

As a threat from beyond looms over the solar system, Project Aether is ready to deploy! Take control of the Aether prototype in a variety of environments to combat this alien threat.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Project AETHER: First Contact screenshot

Skip User Reviews

100%

Audience ScoreBased on 24 reviews

story4 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

Unique EMP pulse mechanic that adds a risk-reward element and allows for creative chain explosions.
Well-designed enemy patterns and bosses, with good difficulty balancing and replayability through multiple modes.
Smooth and satisfying twin-stick shooter gameplay with tight controls, engaging combat, and polished graphics.

Budget-level graphics and sound quality, somewhat resembling an older generation game, with unremarkable visual style.
Short campaign length, which may leave players wanting more story or content.
Slow start in early levels that may deter some players before the game picks up pace.

story
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
46%
23%
The game's story serves mainly as a simple framework connecting missions, featuring clichéd characters and straightforward dialogue that lacks depth. While it provides a brief, 2-3 hour campaign with some engaging voice acting and Ace Combat-like vibes, it is not particularly compelling or memorable. Overall, the story feels secondary to the gameplay and is best seen as a light backdrop rather than a central element.
- “The story so far is really compelling, I'm feeling a really strong Ace Combat vibe from it, but I'm not really sure why. That, of course, is nothing but a good thing.”
- “The game features a story in the form of dialogues between the mech pilot and other figures at the base.”
- “The game is well made; the controls are fluid and the story and the voice over are good, as are the graphics.”
- “With a main story lasting a little more than 2-3 hours and the possibility to play some challenges, we are in 'save for later' territory here, because I can't fully recommend a game where there are other better options out there for a very similar price.”
- “The game features a story in the form of dialogues between the mech pilot and other figures at the base, which lacks depth and engagement.”
- “The missions will take around 8 to 20 minutes on average on the normal level of difficulty, making the story feel rushed and less immersive.”
graphics
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game features clean, well-optimized graphics running smoothly at 60 fps, with visually satisfying effects that enhance gameplay. While the graphical style is polished and reminiscent of classic space shooters, it is considered somewhat generic and unmemorable compared to similar titles. Overall, the visuals are praised for their clarity and dynamic presentation, making the experience engaging.
- “Under the technical side, the game features clean graphics and good optimization, maintaining a steady 60 fps even during intense scenes filled with bullets and enemies.”
- “The graphics are pretty gorgeous for a bullet hell game, which usually features impressive visuals but they never take the spotlight.”
- “Long time since I played a game like this; it takes me back to some of the original space shooters but with smoother and better graphics along with a few neat new features to keep it fresh.”
- “The graphical style is rather boring and uninteresting: enemies, bosses, and environments look very similar to those in many other games and are unlikely to be memorable.”
- “While the graphics can be described as clean, they lack uniqueness and fail to stand out from the crowd of similar games.”
- “The visuals do not offer any distinctive elements and seem repetitive, reducing the overall impact of the game's graphics.”
gameplay
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
28%
43%
The gameplay stands out for its unique magnetic pulse mechanic, which introduces innovative strategies and fresh bullet hell dynamics. It offers a well-balanced challenge that encourages skillful use of its mechanics, providing a satisfying difficulty level. Overall, the gameplay is engaging, fluid, and complements the experience effectively.
- “It's also got a fairly unique mechanic, where you shoot an enemy until a circle indicating they've become vulnerable to your EMP appears around them.”
- “Here is where this game really shines though: the magnetic pulse mechanic.”
- “The pulse mechanic is unique and creates new and interesting bullet hell strategies.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Despite a relatively short campaign, the game offers strong replayability through additional modes like trials, survival, and boss runs, appealing to both newcomers and challenge seekers.
- “The campaign might be slightly on the short side, but with the trials, survival, and boss runs modes, this game has good replayability without a doubt.”
- “Easy to play, challenging, and good replayability.”
- “It's a short game, but one with lots of replayability and also a fair difficulty selection if you are new to the genre or want to challenge yourself.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is well-received, with players appreciating the soundtrack as a strong complement to the polished and engaging gameplay experience.
- “I very much like the soundtrack.”
- “The game features an in-game model viewer, soundtrack player, and more.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game demonstrates excellent optimization, maintaining a steady 60 fps even during intense on-screen action with numerous bullets and enemies, supported by clean graphics.
- “Under the technical side, the game features clean graphics and good optimization, maintaining a steady 60 fps even when the screen is filled with bullets and enemies.”

Skip Critic Reviews

72%Critics’ scoreBased on 3 critic reviews

Skip Game Offers

Buy Project AETHER: First Contact

Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Project AETHER: First Contact

84%1.1kreviews

Astebreed

2014

Arcade Shooter

90%455reviews

Void Scrappers

2022

Survival Shooter

81%456reviews

Super Galaxy Squadron EX Turbo

2015

Survival Shooter

76%127reviews

Stellar Interface

2016

Survival Shooter

82%160reviews

Horizon Shift

2015

Arcade Shooter

More games like Project AETHER: First Contact

Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Project AETHER: First Contact is a tactical shooter game with science fiction theme.

Project AETHER: First Contact is available on Nintendo Switch, PC and Windows.

Project AETHER: First Contact was released on February 24, 2020.

Project AETHER: First Contact was developed by Sleepy Spider Studios.

Project AETHER: First Contact has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked Project AETHER: First Contact for its story but disliked it for its gameplay.

Project AETHER: First Contact is a single player game.

Similar games include Astebreed, Void Scrappers, Super Galaxy Squadron EX Turbo, Stellar Interface, Horizon Shift and others.

Project AETHER: First Contact

Platforms