In this generation we’ve certainly seen a load of titles that have chosen to go with gameplay that has an old-school feel, even if possessing more modern looks. Many of these games have opted for some sort of classic action feel, with most going with the classic vanilla platformer, but others like Alien Breakout have chosen to differentiate themselves a little by rolling with the platform shooter.

Without much in the way of introduction, the game will begin walking you through its basic controls and techniques, which for the most part are limited so it keeps things on the simpler side. As you’d expect you’ll be able to jump, shoot, and use a directional shot, but you’ll also have the handy wall jump at your disposal, though only with specific wall types. For the most part your challenge will come in the form of simple enemies and traps, with you needing to weave your way through stages carefully, being sure to shoot what you need to and avoid projectiles or other things that will bring you a quick death.

In terms of criticisms, there’s absolutely a sense of deja vu with much of the level designs overall. I’m not saying that it is directly cribbing off any particular title, but in a general way everything remains in the “you’ve seen this somewhere before” category. I do have a complaint about your few added steps when making movements though, as these somewhat sloppy controls do the game no favors, especially when you frequently need to be concerned with very precise jumping and doing it very quickly. Sure, you’ll adapt and generally learn how to deal with it, but when the overall design is lacking in stand-out features, it’s all the more important that every aspect of play is perfect. If you’re feeling pressed to find some classic action on a budget, and can choose to be patient with its flaws, it isn’t necessarily a bad choice… just further down the list than some of its peers.