Drainus

About

Drainus is a side-scrolling shooter where you pilot a high-tech fighter capable of absorbing enemy fire to fuel your own attacks. Blending fast-paced combat with resource management, you navigate waves of alien ships in space while progressing through a narrative-driven campaign. The game emphasizes reflexes and strategy as you upgrade your ship and adapt to evolving threats. Set against a large conflict between rebels and an oppressive empire, the story unfolds through cutscenes and environmental storytelling. The game’s standout mechanic, turning enemy bullets into power-ups, adds a clever twist to the genre. Its mix of arcade-style action and a surprisingly heartfelt storyline about a girl fighting to save her father has resonated with indie game communities. With smooth controls and a distinct art style, Drainus offers a focused experience that’s easy to pick up but challenging to master. Available on PC and Switch since 2022, it’s a short but punchy entry in the indie shooter space.

Storyline

The Planet Halpax is located in the far reaches of space, suffering from the oppressive rule of the Kharlal Empire. One of the slaves residing there is battling an illness. He must return home to the faraway planet of Earth to be cured of the disease, known as "Planetary Compatibility Disorder".His daughter, also a slave, is both devastated by her father's illness and helpless to do anything about it. At that moment, a humanoid named Ghenie, who looks strangely like a frog, appears and says, "I have come from 50 years in the future. A galactic war is about to break out, in which more than 5000 planets will be annihilated by the Kharlal Empire. I have come to this time period to stop that war and the oppressive rule of the Kharlal Empire. I need your help." Why me? What can I do? Irina had no idea what was going on, but her father's illness was worsening by the minute. With no time to hesitate and nowhere else to turn, she takes Gehnie's green hand and sets off... Now she has begun her journey into a universe filled with the armies of the Kharlal Empire, and her quest to reach her distant home planet while taking the Empire down once and for all.