Westphaser

Westphaser is a fast-paced arcade shooter built around the familiar idea that a small spacecraft can somehow be expected to save the universe before lunch. The action takes place over scrolling landscapes packed with enemy craft, obstacles, and plenty of things that would make a sensible pilot turn around immediately. Its late-1980s presentation is straightforward rather than flashy, but that simplicity gives the game a pleasantly direct character. You steer, shoot, dodge, and try not to become another tiny explosion in the sky. The controls and pacing reward quick reactions, while the steady stream of enemies keeps the screen busy without turning the whole affair into visual soup. It is very much a product of its era, but there is something charming about its uncomplicated approach to space combat.