Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 69 reviews
  • graphics
  • story
  • gameplay
Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers Game Cover
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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.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Cloud
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 69 reviews
graphics19 positive mentions
atmosphere3 negative mentions
  • The game features stunning visuals and a unique black-and-white aesthetic that perfectly captures the charm of 50s sci-fi movies.
  • Gameplay is fun and accessible, with a good balance of challenge and the option for infinite lives, making it enjoyable for both casual and experienced players.
  • The extensive cheesy cutscenes and engaging story add a delightful layer to the experience, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the game.
  • The game is relatively short, with a campaign that can be completed in about 3-4 hours, leading to concerns about replay value.
  • Difficulty spikes can feel uneven, with some levels being too easy while others become frustratingly hard, which may deter casual players.
  • Hit detection can be inconsistent, making it difficult to navigate through the chaotic on-screen action, and the limited variety in enemy types can lead to repetitive gameplay.
  • graphics37 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their exceptional execution of a 1950s sci-fi aesthetic, combining charming visuals with a nostalgic, old-school style. Reviewers highlight the impressive production values, unique art style, and engaging cutscenes that enhance the overall experience, making it visually appealing despite some critiques about gameplay depth. Overall, the game's graphics are considered a standout feature that captivates players and complements its fun gameplay.

    • “A ton of effort was put into capturing the very particular live action 50s sci-fi schlock aesthetic, and it makes for a really charming experience.”
    • “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!”
    • “They kinda were unable to make a game on par with the visuals.”
    • “This game has no 'art-style'.”
  • story24 mentions

    The game's story is a nostalgic homage to 1950s sci-fi, featuring engaging cutscenes and a campy narrative that enhances the overall experience. While the storyline is relatively short, lasting around three hours, it is complemented by entertaining voice-overs and a vintage aesthetic that captures the era's charm. Players appreciate the blend of cinematic storytelling with traditional shoot 'em up gameplay, although some express a desire for more content to extend the narrative.

    • “The story is told through great film snippets and usually flows smoothly into the next level.”
    • “Combining the difficulty of Ikaruga with the cinematic brilliance of 1950’s sci-fi movies, Squad 51 blends traditional 2D gameplay set inside photorealistic 3D environments presented in a vintage black and white style for both the gameplay and the insanely cool live-action videos that propel the story between missions.”
    • “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.”
    • “There aren't many clips, and only a few of them play between the 11 missions, which disappointed me.”
    • “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.”
  • gameplay22 mentions

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it fun and challenging, particularly appreciating the blend of traditional shoot-em-up mechanics with a unique 1950s sci-fi aesthetic. However, others noted a lack of complexity and replay value, citing frustrations with forced ship-swapping and a desire for a more robust core moveset. Overall, while the presentation and artistic direction are praised, the gameplay experience varies, with some players feeling it could benefit from deeper mechanics.

    • “I'm not a massive shoot-em-up fan, but the aesthetics combined with the interesting gameplay kept me hooked.”
    • “Combining the difficulty of Ikaruga with the cinematic brilliance of 1950’s sci-fi movies, Squad 51 blends traditional 2D gameplay set inside photorealistic 3D environments presented in a vintage black and white style for both the gameplay and the insanely cool live-action videos that propel the story between missions.”
    • “This game has such amazing presentation, and the gameplay is just as solid.”
    • “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.'”
    • “I wish it had a more universally applicable core moveset and left life acquisition to a score mechanic instead.”
  • replayability8 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players find it lacking due to unengaging core gameplay, others appreciate the challenge and variety offered by modes like resistance and the ability to customize ships. The game's art style and fun mechanics contribute to a level of replay value that encourages players to return, despite a short main story.

    • “It is challenging, fun, and has enough replayability to keep returning for more.”
    • “Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers is a fun, challenging side-scroller shoot 'em up game set in a 1950s atmosphere with great replayability.”
    • “There's lots of custom perks and unlockables so you can customize and experiment with your ship and increase that sweet replay value.”
    • “For me, there is almost no replay value because the gameplay itself is not that much fun.”
    • “Coming to replayability, I found myself playing earlier levels to get better scores.”
    • “There's lots of custom perks and unlockables, so you can customize and experiment with your ship and increase that sweet replay value.”
  • music5 mentions

    The music in the game is consistently praised for its haunting quality and fitting integration with the overall retro aesthetic and thematic elements, enhancing the unique experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, complementing the game's stunning visuals and engaging cutscenes. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the game's charm and immersive atmosphere.

    • “A great sidescrolling shmup, with an amazing retro aesthetic, great soundtrack, and cheesy B-movie themes (the monsters in the later chapters are hilarious).”
    • “The presentation is magnificent with a masterfully executed art style throughout the whole game, charming FMV cutscenes, great dialogues, and a haunting soundtrack that wraps the whole package into a very unique experience.”
    • “Absolutely stunning and incredible production value with very well-made live action cutscenes and fitting music.”
    • “The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “While the sound effects are decent, the overall soundtrack is forgettable and uninspired.”
    • “The background music often clashes with the gameplay, creating a disjointed experience.”
  • humor3 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 amusing, particularly in the context of the game's retro style and monster designs, it may not reach the comedic heights of other titles like "Destroy All Humans!" Overall, the humor is appreciated for its campy execution but may not resonate with everyone.

    • “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.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of "Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers" is heavily influenced by a nostalgic 1950s aesthetic, characterized by its black-and-white graphics and vintage design elements that enhance the game's retro feel. Players appreciate how this unique style contributes to the overall experience, making it both fun and engaging.

    • “I like the black-and-white style of 1950s graphics with the scratchy white lines and spots that come and go, completing the atmosphere of the 50s era.”
    • “Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers is a fun, challenging side-scroller shoot 'em up game set in a 1950s atmosphere with great replayability.”
    • “The black-and-white style of 1950s graphics, with its scratchy white lines and spots that come and go, really completes the atmosphere of the era.”
    • “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking any real depth or engagement.”
    • “Despite the potential for a rich setting, the atmosphere is dull and fails to immerse the player.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is enhanced by the inclusion of real actors, whose comedic performances contribute to 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 beautifully captures the complexities of human emotions.”
  • stability1 mentions

    The game demonstrates strong stability, running smoothly on both PC and Steam Deck, with users reporting no significant issues during gameplay.

    • “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.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game's optimization includes a performance ranking system that evaluates players at the end of each level, providing a score and star rating, while also encouraging exploration through the collection of three hidden items in each stage.

    • “Your performance is ranked at the end of each level with a score and star rating, and for observant pilots, you can find three collectibles in each stage.”
    • “The game encourages players to optimize their strategies to achieve higher scores and unlock additional content.”
    • “Each level is designed to reward players who take the time to explore and optimize their routes for maximum efficiency.”
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Critic Reviews

70% average critic score

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