It’s not often I get to enjoy the shoot ’em up (shmup) genre due to the high skill ceiling I can’t breach, or from being so intense with the bullet count that it feels like I’m playing a puzzle game instead. Drainus ends up being not only a solid game but also a reliable teacher, with the difficulty curve being manageable even with my lack of skill while offering opportunities to crank up the difficulty. The story may be flatter than a sheet of office paper, but that can be overlooked when the game is fun and replayable.
The main gimmick of Drainus is absorbing most projectiles, lasers and so on using a defensive measure, which then results in firing tracking projectiles back at the enemy. The more you absorb, the more potent the counter-attack will be. The catch however is that while doing so, you’re not able to fire your regular weapons (save for a purchasable exception), and it can’t be done indefinitely since there’s a meter that rapidly drains when not actively absorbing anything. Counter-attacking with a strong charge will result in a brief window of invincibility, so chaining charges to avoid or deal damage becomes a frequent tactic. Colliding with objects, walls and bullets highlighted red can’t be absorbed, so you still need to keep your eyes peeled and not rely on this measure to get you out of every situation.
It wouldn’t be a shmup if there weren’t an array of projectiles of your own to throw around, and Drainus allows customization of your arsenal by way of purchases. Destroying enemies fills up tanks that, once full, can be spent on different weaponry or upgrades to your ship during or after levels and swapped on the fly. However, your available slots are limited: One slot for a super bomb, up to five for your primary attacks, etc. Sticking with the same loadout from start to finish can work but isn’t advisable since cramped sections, enemy patterns and firing from behind are challenges to consider, not just to keep the pressure on with damage but also to get more tanks for further upgrades.
Drainus is an accessible shmup between its difficulty options and ship levels doubling as your health. Each level lets you use the next weapon in your primary loadout through a power-up. For example, level one is your primary pea shooter, level two adds a narrow laser, level three adds missiles, and so on. Taking damage lowers your level, and by extension, the amount of damage dealt until another power-up is obtained. You might think effectively having multiple hits that can be replenished along with a shield makes the game too easy, and that may be the case on easy mode. On normal and above, however, the amount of incoming projectiles increases and it’s easy to get complacent with how survivable you are. I’d take a hit, panic and take more hits in the process.
A whole playthrough takes around an hour or so, with each level having a set piece to encounter, excluding the boss fights. One level, for example, has you flying around a massive warship, contending with its countermeasures and fighter ships while trying to work your way inside to destroy it. 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. To avoid spoilers, don’t worry if it feels like the game ends too quickly.
I can’t say that Drainus is unique in terms of its visuals, but it’s still one heck of a looker. Ships are detailed, effects pop and backgrounds are either muted or contrasted against the action to avoid distraction. Enemies look like they would in the future being sleek, blocky or fitting their purpose, like a chunky ship with laser-spewing cannons or a spindly wall-crawling tank. The popping visuals are complimented by the game’s soundtrack, which I would call a mix of lower BPM Eurobeat and electronic music, or is reminiscent of Nintendo 64 futuristic racing games with synths and drums all over. The music at its default volume can be drowned out by all the firing, explosions and mayhem, but as backwards as this sounds, it’s the kind of racket that’s fun to listen to.
You’ve probably noticed my only criticism so far of the game is its story, and I’d be nitpicking to call needing multiple playthroughs to see all the upgrades in action or wishing there were more game modes criticisms. Drainus is an overall enjoyable, quality shmup that may not be taxing for veteran players of the series, but someone like myself can get more than a few kicks out of it. While I don’t think there’s enough here to change people’s minds uninterested in the genre, it’s still a solid recommendation from me.
