Back in 2024, acclaimed musical genius Yuzo Koshiro mentioned that his development studio, Ancient Corp (Streets of Rage, Beyond Oasis), was working on a brand-new 2D Shoot ’em up called Earthion. Inspired by legendary titles like Gradius and Thunderforce, this isn’t just another retro-style indie game; it’s being developed for the 16-bit Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. Yes, that Genesis. Why? To take full advantage of its iconic YM2612 sound chip, of course.
But don’t worry, Earthion isn’t just stuck in the past. The game is also coming to modern platforms, including PC and current-gen consoles, so everyone can get a taste of those glorious chiptunes and arcade-style gameplay.
We hadn’t heard much about the game outside of a brief appearance at PAX West, where I had the chance to go hands-on with the demo. Even though it was just a single stage, I was in bliss. The controls were tight, the visuals nailed the aesthetic, and the music — my god, the music — reminded me why I fell in love with this genre in the first place. It felt like something truly special.
What makes Earthion even more exciting is who’s behind it. Ancient...
