Project AETHER: First Contact

About

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 Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Project AETHER: First Contact screenshot

100%

Audience ScoreBased on 24 reviews

story4 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

Unique EMP mechanic adds a risk-reward dynamic to gameplay, allowing for strategic enemy takedowns and chain reactions.
Fluid controls and satisfying combat make it accessible for newcomers while still providing a challenge for experienced players.
Variety of game modes, including campaign, trials, and survival, along with decent customization options, enhance replayability.

Graphics and sound design feel dated, reminiscent of budget PS2 titles, which may deter some players.
Campaign length is relatively short, potentially leaving players wanting more content.
Initial levels start slow, which may turn off players before the game ramps up in difficulty.

story
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
46%
23%
The game's story revolves around space exploration and features a campaign with nine missions, but it is criticized for being simplistic and cliché, serving mainly as a backdrop for gameplay rather than a compelling narrative. While the dialogues between characters add some context, they fail to elevate the overall experience, leading to a perception that the story is merely a means to connect missions. Despite this, some players find the story engaging, drawing comparisons to other successful titles, though it ultimately lacks depth and originality.
- “As the quest for space exploration becomes a reality, we humans become enthusiastic about the idea of discovering and walking on new planets, as well as coming across new types of living organisms.”
- “The story so far is really compelling; I'm feeling a strong Ace Combat vibe from it, which is, of course, 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.”
- “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 missions will take around 8 to 20 minutes on average on the normal level of difficulty.”
graphics
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
11%
22%
The graphics in the game are generally praised for their clean quality and good optimization, maintaining a smooth 60 fps even during intense action. However, some reviewers find the overall graphical style to be uninspired and reminiscent of other titles in the genre, lacking memorable design elements. Despite this, many players appreciate the visuals as a strong aspect of the gameplay experience, particularly in the context of bullet hell games.
- “Under the technical side, the game features clean graphics and good optimization, so the 60 fps threshold was maintained all the time even when the screen was filled with bullets and enemies.”
- “Tight controls, satisfying combat (using the EMP blast to chain explosions is particularly fun) and good visuals make Project Aether one of the better bullet hell games I've played.”
- “The graphics are pretty damn gorgeous for a bullet hell game, which usually feature some pretty visuals but they never take the spotlight.”
- “While the graphics can be defined as clean, the graphical style is rather boring and uninteresting. Enemies, bosses, and the environment look very similar to those in a crowd of similar games and won't surely be remembered after some time has passed.”
- “While the graphics can be defined as clean, the graphical style is rather boring and uninteresting. Enemies, bosses, and the environment look very similar to those in a crowd of similar games and won't surely be remembered after some time has passed.”
gameplay
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
28%
43%
The gameplay is highlighted by a unique magnetic pulse mechanic that introduces innovative strategies to the bullet hell genre, enhancing the overall experience. Players find the game well-balanced, offering a satisfying challenge without being overly difficult, complemented by fluid mechanics and an engaging soundtrack.
- “The gameplay is challenging, fluid, and I very much like the soundtrack.”
- “Playing on hard, a few stages in, I'd say the game is pretty well balanced. The game expects you to use its mechanics, but compared to other shmups you may or may not be familiar with, the difficulty feels about right. Importantly for me, it doesn't feel too easy; I desire at least some challenge.”
- “The pulse mechanic is unique and creates new and interesting bullet hell strategies.”
- “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.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Despite its shorter campaign, the game offers strong replayability through various modes like trials, survival, and boss runs, catering to both newcomers and seasoned players seeking a challenge. Overall, players appreciate the balance of accessibility and difficulty, enhancing the game's replay value.
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “Easy to play, challenging, and offers good replayability.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is highly praised, contributing to a polished experience with a fluid gameplay atmosphere. Players appreciate the inclusion of features like an in-game model viewer and soundtrack player, enhancing their overall enjoyment of the soundtrack.
- “The gameplay is challenging, fluid, and I very much like the soundtrack.”
- “The game feels quite polished, with an in-game model viewer, soundtrack player, and more.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its strong optimization, consistently maintaining a smooth 60 fps even during intense action scenes filled with bullets and enemies, complemented by clean graphics.
- “Under the technical side, the game features clean graphics and good optimization, so the 60 fps threshold was maintained at all times, even when the screen was filled with bullets and enemies.”

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Project AETHER: First Contact
$12.99
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Project AETHER: First Contact

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Buy Project AETHER: First Contact

Project AETHER: First Contact

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