《Earthion》（アーシオン）是融合16位元美學與現代動作手感的橫向卷軸射擊遊戲，由日本獨立團隊Ancient Corporation及Bitwave Games製作，於2025年推出。數位版於2025年7月31日在Steam平台正式推出，支援繁體中文、日文、英文等語言。主機平台PS5、PS4、Nintendo Switch、Xbox Series X|S版本則於2025年9月上架。實體豪華版將於2025年10月30日登場，內含遊戲本體、復刻風格外盒、音樂原聲CD、美術卡組與限定收藏模型。令人驚喜的是，開發團隊還計畫於2026年推出Sega Mega Drive（MD）實機可用卡匣版本，作為向老遊戲文化的致敬與延續。這個作品不僅是充滿彈幕與節奏的星際冒險，更是一封獻給1990年代經典街機遊戲的情書。

故事描述在資源枯竭、環境瀕毀的近未來，地球文明岌岌可危，大量人類被迫遷徙至火星。然而，就在人類尋求新生之際，神秘的侵略者從宇宙深處襲來，將地球推向滅亡邊緣。主角是環境調查員「高梨梓紗（Azusa Takanashi）」，駕駛最先進的戰鬥機「YK-IIA」，捍衛地球最後的希望。

以八大主關卡構成，從殘破都市、荒蕪大地、到廢墟軌道與星際邊界，每關皆設有獨特的地形設計與機械風格的頭目戰。隨劇情推進，將逐步揭開敵人的真面目，並在熾熱戰火中面對自己與文明存亡的抉擇。遊玩方式結合懷舊橫向射擊（shoot ‘em up）風格與現代設計哲學。主角戰機具備多種主副武器切換系統，依照戰局自由調整戰術。例如火焰砲適合近距離掃蕩，雷射武器則能貫穿厚重防禦，導彈則用於制空或擊殺Boss弱點。

與傳統射擊遊戲一擊即死不同，戰機具備耐久與自動回復機制，即使受到重創，只要躲避一段時間即可慢慢恢復，提升新手的容錯率，同時也鼓勵進階玩家挑戰更高效率與無傷過關。擊破敵機或母艦後會掉落資源，這些可用來升級耐久、強化武器或擴充武裝模組，讓你隨著關卡進展變得更強。甚至可以選擇犧牲一部分攻擊力，換取長期穩定生存的優勢，策略性十足。每一關卡結束後會依據通關時間、傷害控制與資源利用給予評價，鼓勵反覆挑戰、精進技巧，追求完美通關與高階獎勵。

視覺方面，以16位元像素風格呈現，畫面充滿濃厚的90年代街機氣息。多層次背景設計與敵機爆炸特效充滿動態張力，巨大Boss登場時的戲劇演出令人印象深刻。場景從地表到宇宙，從科技都市到碎星戰場，每個舞台都如同一本視覺設定集在眼前展開。音樂方面則由知名遊戲作曲家古代祐三領軍創作，整體風格結合復古合成器音色與當代混音技術，無論是戰鬥高張力BGM還是關卡間過場的感性旋律，都大幅強化遊戲的情感渲染力。建議玩家使用耳機進行遊玩，以獲得最佳沉浸體驗。

《Earthion》並非單純的復古模仿，而是以懷舊風格為根基，重新打造屬於現代玩家的射擊體驗。它用熟悉的像素語言，講述新的宇宙危機，並透過簡潔有力的操作與高度完成度的視覺聲音，讓我們重溫那段靠反射神經與熱血闖關的黃金年代。無論是老派STG玩家，還是對2D射擊遊戲充滿好奇的新世代，《Earthion》都是值得一戰的星際冒險。如果渴望懷舊與挑戰並存的太空戰鬥，那麼這部作品，絕對不容錯過。

Earthion (アーシオン) is a side-scrolling shoot ’em up that fuses 16-bit aesthetics with modern action mechanics. Developed by a Japanese indie team Ancient Corporation, and Bitwave Games , the game is set for digital release on Steam on July 31, 2025, with full support for Traditional Chinese, Japanese, and English. Console versions for PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X|S will follow in September 2025, and a deluxe physical edition will launch on October 30, 2025, including the game, a retro-style box, an original soundtrack CD, art cards, and a limited collectible model. In a nostalgic twist, the developers have also announced a Sega Mega Drive (Genesis) cartridge version planned for 2026, paying homage to classic gaming culture. Earthion is not just a bullet-filled interstellar adventure — it’s a heartfelt tribute to 1990s arcade classics.

The story is set in a near-future where Earth is on the brink of collapse due to resource depletion and environmental ruin. As humanity migrates en masse to Mars in search of a future, mysterious invaders from deep space strike, pushing Earth toward extinction. You play as Azusa Takanashi, an environmental researcher and the pilot of the advanced fighter YK-IIA, fighting to protect what remains of Earth.

The game consists of eight main stages, each offering unique terrain and biomechanical bosses — from ruined cities and desolate wastelands to orbital ruins and interstellar frontiers. As the story unfolds, players will gradually uncover the truth behind the enemy’s identity and face difficult choices that determine the fate of both the protagonist and civilization itself.

Gameplay blends retro side-scrolling shooter vibes with modern design philosophy. The protagonist’s fighter comes equipped with a customizable arsenal of primary and secondary weapons. Players can switch tactics freely depending on the situation — for example, flamethrowers for crowd control, lasers for penetrating heavy defenses, and missiles for targeting bosses’ weak points.

Unlike traditional shooters where one hit means death, Earthion features a durability and auto-recovery system. Even when heavily damaged, players can recover over time by avoiding attacks, lowering the entry barrier for newcomers while still encouraging veteran players to chase hitless, high-efficiency runs.

Destroyed enemy ships and carriers drop valuable resources, which can be used to upgrade durability, enhance weapons, or install new modules. Strategic trade-offs are available — for instance, sacrificing some offensive power for greater survivability. Each stage is scored based on completion time, damage taken, and resource usage, encouraging replayability and mastery.

Visually, the game adopts a richly stylized 16-bit pixel art aesthetic reminiscent of the ’90s arcade golden era. Dynamic effects — such as layered parallax backgrounds, vivid explosions, and cinematic boss entrances — bring dramatic intensity to each level. The environments range from terrestrial battlefields and sci-fi metropolises to shattered space stations and cosmic debris fields, each looking like a page from a concept artbook come to life.

The soundtrack is led by renowned composer Yuzo Koshiro, blending retro synthwave elements with contemporary production techniques. From pulse-pounding boss themes to atmospheric intermission tracks, the music significantly enhances the game’s emotional depth. Players are encouraged to use headphones for maximum immersion.

Earthion isn’t just a nostalgic throwback — it’s a modern reimagining of the shoot ’em up genre grounded in retro roots. Through its tight gameplay, polished visuals, and expressive audio, it tells a new tale of galactic crisis in the language of pixels and precision. It captures the essence of a golden era where every reflex mattered, yet retools it for today’s players.

Whether you’re a veteran STG enthusiast or a newcomer intrigued by 2D shooters, Earthion offers a compelling space-faring adventure. If you’re seeking both challenge and nostalgia in one high-octane cosmic battle — this is a title not to be missed.