You Got Your Rogue-Lite In My SHMUP
If you’re a fan of rogue-lite games and vertical scrolling shoot-’em-ups, RANDOMAX from developer ASTRO PORT might just be a must-play. This galactic space shooter throws you into turbulent waves of enemies where luck and strategy are your only companion on each run. The game will challenge you to navigate a galaxy under siege by the infamous Randomax Pirates, who are more fun than fiendish in scope and only really there to serve the very basic story. But with its unique blend of randomness, strategy, and fast-paced action, RANDOMAX delivers an experience that’s as unpredictable as it is exciting.
Our little apace adventure takes place in whats known as the Sepulch Space Archipelago, a far-flung corner of the galaxy overrun by the nefarious Randomax Pirates made of up three cute anime girls. Amid the chaos, three very different ladies team up with the mysterious ARGO EXPRESS shipping company to take on these pirates and restore peace to the galaxy? Look, the story is simply a means to an end here. That said, the story is quirky and lighthearted, with each character bringing their own personality and unique ending to the table.
Where RANDOMAX shines above a lot of other vertical shooters is on the gameplay front, which combines rogue-lite mechanics with classic Shmup action. You’ll have access to over 70 types of randomly supplied weapons and equipment, from back bombs to bullet-reversing barriers, to robotic bees and space waterfalls. There is a crazy amount of strange weapons to collect and experiment with. The game gives you three equipment slots to mix and match these tools, allowing for tons of combinations and playstyles. Whether you prefer aggressive offense, strategic defense, or a mix of both, RANDOMAX encourages experimentation and adaptability.
The randomness of the weapons really keeps every run feeling fresh, and your success often hinges on how well you can make the most of what you’re given. This adds a layer of tension and excitement, as you never know what you’ll get next—or how you’ll use it to turn the tide of battle or increase your score multiplier. During each stage you’ll get several opportunities to snag weapons at various ARGO EXPRESS stops and while you only have three weapon slots, you can stack multiple weapons onto each slot.
This means that you get a lot of options and have to weigh which mismatched weapon setup is best for you. And since every single weapon has a limited number of uses/bullets, you will begin to “feel” the best patterns the more you play. Then there are passive abilities and some fun extras that “spice” up the characters and their outfits. But what’s really interesting is that I had the most fun exploring the weapons and their combinations as the game has several difficulty options to encourage you to have fun how you like. RANDOMAX is less a balls-to-the-wall shooter and more of a score run shooter.
RANDOMAX features nine stages to fly and shoot through. You’ll get six main stages plus three character-specific stages for each of the three playable ships adding to the replayability. Each of the three ships also has its own distinct characteristics, encouraging multiple playthroughs to master their strengths. A vast arsenal of seventy-two weapons and passives help to ensure the game has tons of ways to play. It’s not a true rogue-lite and more of a randomized store element, but it’s enough to mix up the SHMUP genre. If you’re a casual player or a hardcore Shmup enthusiast, there’s a challenge for everyone with six different levels of difficulty making it fun for players of all types.
The game’s 16bit-era inspired pixel art style is also vibrant and detailed, perfectly capturing the chaotic energy of space battles. There is tons happening on-screen at all times but everything looks distinct and I never felt lost in the action like with other titles. The stages are visually distinct, and the enemy designs are creative and varied. The soundtrack also complements the action with high-energy tunes that keep you pumped throughout your journey. And sure, the anime cutscenes are going to be hit or miss for most people, but I enjoyed them. Although I do wish the game had the option to turn them off considering you’ll be seeing the same ones over and over again when working on getting the best run.
RANDOMAX is a chaotic, exciting, and surprisingly replayable Shmup that puts your resourcefulness and adaptability to the test. Its randomized store mechanic, vast arsenal of mismatched weapons, and multiple difficulty levels make it a solid title in the genre and a great entry point for newbies while offering enough for hardcore SHMUP fans to enjoy. While the randomness might frustrate some players, it’s also what makes the game so addictive and rewarding. If you’re ready to test your luck alongside some cute anime girls in space, RANDOMAX is waiting for you.
Final Score:
About Author
