Alien Strike Playtest: Retro Run-and-Gun Roots, Modern Ambition, and a Chance to Shape the Game

A New Run-and-Gun Aiming for Retro Glory-Why I’m Intrigued (and Cautious)

If you grew up feeding credits into Metal Slug cabinets or battling through relentless waves in Contra, Alien Strike: Blasting Intruders is going to catch your eye. Combo Game Studio, a Brazilian team with legit arcade chops, has just tossed open a limited-time playtest on Steam (August 15-31, 2025). It’s a big move-especially for fans like me who’ve seen too many “throwback” shooters that lean on nostalgia, but forget what made those classics so damn compelling in the first place.

• This is more than just a demo-it’s a real chance to influence development before the final release.
• The devs aren’t hiding: they want critical, honest feedback from actual gamers, not just hype.
• True three-player co-op, not just tacked-on multiplayer.
• Retro inspiration is obvious, but does Alien Strike bring anything new?

Key Takeaways: What Caught My Eye (and Raised My Eyebrows)

• Limited window for open playtest—only mid to late August.
• Co-op supports up to three players, which is rare for the genre (usually capped at two).
• Full voiceover in Portuguese and English, featuring some well-known Brazilian voice talent.
• Players’ input isn’t just marketing fluff—the devs’ track record says they listen.

Why This Playtest Could Actually Matter

Usually, when a new indie shooter pops up claiming “Metal Slug vibes,” I brace for disappointment. Too often it’s pixel art, floaty shooting, and zero soul. But Combo Game Studio’s background gives me hope—they’re not chasing trends, but building on decades of arcade culture. Their last game, Bioguard, wasn’t perfect, but it delivered on that instant, snappy action that’s essential for this genre. If they can nail a real sense of chaos and make good on their promise of three-player local/online co-op, I’m all in.

The playtest model deserves props—this isn’t a marketing “beta” locked behind preorders, it’s genuinely open to anyone curious enough to click “request access” on Steam. They’re actively soliciting feedback (and if you’ve lurked in their last forums, you know they don’t just toss suggestions in the bin). That open dialogue is pretty rare for an indie with a publisher: most spend more effort on building wishlists than building a player-centric game.

What’s Fresh, What’s Familiar, and What’s Missing?

On the surface, Alien Strike is full-on nostalgia: sidescrolling chaos, hand-drawn sprites, rockets flying everywhere—exactly what I want from a run-and-gun. But co-op for three instead of two? That’s a twist, and if executed well, could bump up both the chaos and the replay value. The studio’s decision to put serious investment into voice acting, especially with locally famous actors, is also worth highlighting—it might not sound crucial, but a memorable announcer or weapon quip can help give a game staying power. (It’s like how Metal Slug’s “HEAVY MACHINE GUN!” is seared into every ‘90s kid’s brain.)

But here’s where I get skeptical. Great run-and-guns demand razor-sharp controls and chunky, satisfying feedback. We’ve all played “tributes” that forgot this, and I’m watching to see if Alien Strike nails the movement, shooting, and enemy placement. Also, the visual style needs to walk the line—it should reference the past without feeling like a cheap imitation. Early glimpses look promising, but I want to see how it feels in a real firefight, not just a sizzle reel.

Community-Driven or Crowdsourced Hype?

Combo Game Studio, alongside Nuntius Games, is betting big on community. That can be a double-edged pulse rifle—there’s a genuine chance here for players to help shape an indie shooter that lives up to its inspirations, but only if real, sometimes-critical feedback gets absorbed, not sanitized. It’s encouraging that the devs talked up this “crucial step” on the record, but the proof will be in the patch notes post-demo, not the press release.

If you’re tired of recycling the same few classics or are just looking to support a South American studio that’s aiming higher than another pixel-art homage, this playtest is worth jumping on. Worst case? You try it, give some frank feedback, and maybe help kill off wonky jump arcs or forgettable gun types before launch. Best case? We finally get a new run-and-gun worthy of sitting next to Contra on the shelf (or at least in your library).

TL;DR

Alien Strike: Blasting Intruders is more than just a retro tribute—its limited playtest gives players a rare chance to actually shape the final game. There’s real potential here for genre fans, but it’ll only deliver if controls feel tight and community feedback gets taken seriously. I’ll be jumping in—and bringing my most critical Metal Slug-loving friends along for the ride.