Cilla

Anyone looking for a shooter that truly maximizes the genre's potential should stick to proven alternatives. However, those willing to spend a small amount on a brief, harmless foray into an ambitious—albeit failed—experiment, and who can overlook technical shortcomings, might find Cilla offers a strangely fascinating forty-five minutes. It is akin to watching a movie through to the end—not so much out of enthusiasm, but rather a quiet sense of wonder at just how far things can drift from their original concept.

Cilla is a short, easy-to-play 2D shooting game with a single game mode and several missions in which you must fight against a species that wants to wipe out the human race. It is a game that is far from what is usually played today, with little content and no progression as you advance.

It's a shame because, despite its flaws, I initially had fun with Cilla. The concept has potential, and the presentation (pixel art backgrounds and music) is pleasing. But the narrative focus demands good writing, and this game lacks it. The same goes for clever enemies, fun weapon variety, and two-player support. Coupled with frequent glitches, this is one alien invasion few will feel compelled to stop.

Tries to do some things differently with a retro-styled shooter, but it just doesn’t improve the formula in any clear way