Phelios

About

Phelios is a fast-paced vertical scrolling shooter where you pilot Apollo, a sun god on a winged horse, through waves of enemies to save Artemis, the moon goddess. The game mixes arcade-style action with simple controls, focusing on quick reflexes and dodging attacks while firing in tight corridors. Multiplayer co-op adds a challenge, as players must balance teamwork with limited screen space. The story borrows Greek mythology names but reshapes them, Apollo isn’t Artemis’s brother here, and her role as a captured damsel ignores her real-world traits as a fierce huntress. The game’s sharp difficulty curve and creative boss designs stand out, with some levels feeling like chaotic bullet-hell tests. Though released in 1988, it leans into colorful visuals and tight pacing that still work in short bursts. Community archives note it remains a cult pick for its bold reimaginings and relentless energy. Namco’s fingerprints are clear in the smooth animations and audio, but Phelios’s twist on myth makes it memorable. It’s not deep, but its challenge and charm keep it niche among retro shooter fans.

Storyline

The player takes control of the knight Apollo, the god of the sun, who sets off on the legendary winged horse Pegasus, to rescue his lover, Artemis, the goddess of the moon, from the Titan, Typhon. The game takes names and little else from Greek mythology in which Apollo, god of the sun, was actually Artemis's brother. The game shows players an Artemis that acts as an stereotypical princess (but in Greek mythology, she was the goddess of the hunt, and took pride in never being with any man).