Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers

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In "Squad 51 vs. The Flying Saucers," play as Lieutenant Kaya and lead Squadron 51 against the VEGA CORPORATION's flying saucers, alien fighters, and monsters in 1950's sky battles. This shoot 'em up game offers four aircrafts to customize with special weapons, providing a cinematic experience in the classic arcade style. Join the rebellion to save Earth's future from the oppressive alien invasion.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Co-Op Team up with friends to complete levels or missions together
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

Reviews

73%

Audience ScoreBased on 52 reviews

graphics14 positive mentions

replayability3 negative mentions

The game features a stunning black and white aesthetic that perfectly captures the charm of 50s sci-fi movies, enhanced by impressive FMV cutscenes.
Gameplay is engaging and accessible, with a balanced difficulty curve and an infinite lives option for those who want to enjoy the experience without frustration.
The production values are high, with smooth controls, a rewarding upgrade system, and a nostalgic homage to classic shoot 'em ups.

The gameplay can feel repetitive and lacks variety in enemy design, leading to moments of boredom during play.
Some players have reported issues with hit detection and difficulty spikes, particularly towards the end of the game, which can lead to frustration.
The game is relatively short, with a campaign that can be completed in around 3-4 hours, leaving some players wanting more content.

graphics
27 mentions
52 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their distinct and impressive art style, which effectively captures the nostalgic essence of 1950s sci-fi aesthetics and B-movie themes. Reviewers highlight the high production values, smooth controls, and cinematic quality that enhance the overall experience, although some note that the visual complexity can occasionally overwhelm. Overall, the game's visuals are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to its appeal and enjoyment.
- “Production values are fantastic and visuals are a treat.”
- “The art style is phenomenal and so consistently executed, it's truly impressive.”
- “Last but not least, the game is a visual masterpiece, with excellent 3D graphics and realistic looking models and backgrounds.”
- “The bad 50s B-movie aesthetic is pleasing but fairly shallow and not nearly as funny as, say, Destroy All Humans!”
- “And they kinda were unable to make a game on par with the visuals.”
- “This game has no 'art-style'.”
gameplay
15 mentions
40 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its interesting mechanics and level design, while others find it frustrating and lacking depth. The aesthetic elements, inspired by 1950s sci-fi, enhance the experience, but the core gameplay is seen as either enjoyable or underwhelming, depending on individual preferences. Overall, while the game offers a fun experience with beautiful visuals, it may not satisfy those looking for a more robust gameplay system.
- “I'm not a massive shoot-em-up fan, but the aesthetics combined with the interesting gameplay kept me hooked.”
- “The aesthetic is what made me want to play, and the gameplay made me stay.”
- “But the gameplay is great as well: there's lots of variation in the level design and plenty of different enemies and bosses.”
- “Gameplay leaves a bit to be desired, still worth a buy (and more reviews).”
- “Then you switch to one of the smaller planes and it's like, 'oh yeah, I'm playing a so-so shooter without a strong gameplay gimmick.'”
- “[Inherently ambiguous visual style often makes spotting hazards too difficult; unpredictable patterns combine with overly sensitive mechanics to create frustration.]”
story
13 mentions
31 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
The game's story is presented through engaging film snippets that enhance its nostalgic, B-movie aesthetic, creating a fun and campy experience reminiscent of 1950s sci-fi serials. While the narrative is short, lasting about three hours, it is well-crafted and filled with humor, though some players find the gameplay can become repetitive. Overall, the developers have infused the story with passion, making it enjoyable despite its predictability and brevity.
- “The story is told through great film snippets and usually flows smoothly into the next level.”
- “Fun, old-school style shoot 'em up with a wonderful B-movie storyline and matching aesthetic.”
- “The storyline is well crafted and campy just like you would expect.”
- “The basic shoot 'em up action is just that and it can feel quite boring to play at times with the predictable enemy patterns and longish spots with nothing to shoot, often with lots of radio buddy plot explanation/setup instead.”
- “It's sad the story can be beaten in 3 hours, but the amount of care and effort that went into the art style, the tone, the silliness with really good gameplay that can make it fairly replayable.”
- “While it won't subvert your expectations in terms of story or gameplay, its 1950's sci-fi serial aesthetic and set-pieces are impressive, but also show a lot of passion and love for the genre.”
replayability
4 mentions
50 % positive mentions
-25 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The game offers some replayability through its resistance mode and the opportunity to improve scores on earlier levels, though the short story length of about three hours may limit overall replay interest. While some players appreciate the art style and gameplay, others find the gameplay lacking, resulting in mixed opinions on its replay value.
- “When it comes to replayability, I found myself playing earlier levels to achieve better scores.”
- “It's unfortunate that the story can be completed in 3 hours, but the amount of care and effort that went into the art style, the tone, and the silliness, combined with really good gameplay, makes it fairly replayable.”
- “There's replay value in the resistance mode.”
- “When it comes to replayability, I found myself playing earlier levels to get better scores.”
- “For me, there is almost no replay value because the gameplay itself is not that much fun.”
humor
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a charmingly shallow 50s B-movie aesthetic, featuring cheesy themes and over-the-top performances that evoke nostalgia. While some players find it less funny compared to other titles like "Destroy All Humans!", the comedic elements, particularly in the later chapters with amusing monster designs, contribute to an entertaining experience. Overall, the blend of retro visuals and humorous storytelling enhances the game's appeal.
- “A great sidescrolling shmup, with amazing retro aesthetic, great soundtrack, and cheesy B-movie themes (the monsters in the later chapters are hilarious).”
- “The devs really nailed the classic movie vibe with their FMV story campaign, including hilarious overacting and visible strings on the spaceships.”
music
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its fitting and engaging soundtrack that complements the retro aesthetic and cheesy B-movie themes. Reviewers highlight the incredible production value, including well-crafted live-action cutscenes and a strong connection between the music and the game's overall atmosphere. Overall, the soundtrack enhances the challenging gameplay and adds to the immersive experience.
- “A great sidescrolling shmup, with an amazing retro aesthetic, great soundtrack, and cheesy B-movie themes (the monsters in the later chapters are hilarious).”
- “Absolutely stunning and incredible production value with very well-made live action cutscenes and fitting music.”
- “Incredibly challenging shoot 'em up, awesome graphics, love the black & white sci-fi 50's movie theme, amazing cutscenes, great music, and smooth controls.”
emotional
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is enhanced by a blend of comedy and genuine performances from the actors, creating a wholesome and uplifting experience throughout the campaign.
- “The blend of comedy and heartfelt moments delivered by the real actors creates a wholesome feeling throughout the campaign.”
- “The emotional depth of the characters really resonated with me, making the story feel personal and impactful.”
- “I was genuinely moved by the storyline; it tugged at my heartstrings and left a lasting impression.”
stability
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game demonstrates strong stability, running smoothly on both PC and Steam Deck, providing a reliable experience for players.
- “I've played this on PC and the Steam Deck; it runs great on both, and I'm proficient at dying on both as well.”
- “The game maintains a solid frame rate, even during intense action sequences.”
- “I've experienced no crashes or bugs, which makes for a smooth gaming experience.”