Xatax

About

Xatax is a side-scrolling shooter where you pilot a retrofitted starfighter to stop the Xatax from draining planets of their life force. You blast through waves of alien ships and turrets across three distinct worlds, upgrading your vessel with power capsules collected from downed enemies. The game’s shareware version includes only the first world, but the full version expands the campaign with more levels and challenges. Gameplay is straightforward but frantic, relying on quick reflexes and strategic use of power-ups to survive increasingly tough enemy formations. Set in the 25th century, the game follows humanity’s desperate bid to repel the Xatax using an ancient warship salvaged from a museum. Developer Pixel Painters released it in 1994 for DOS, and it remains a niche example of early ’90s shoot-em-ups. The single-player focus and retro aesthetic appeal to fans of classic arcade-style action. While not widely discussed today, its simple mechanics and sci-fi premise offer a direct challenge for players looking to relive ’90s shooter nostalgia.

Storyline

In the 25th century humanity was attacked by a mysterious alien force known as the Xatax. The aliens began to attack the planets of the galactic Alliance, consuming the life force of their inhabitants and growing stronger after each victory. Accustomed to several centuries of peace and virtually disarmed, the humans have no other weapon at their disposal but an ancient starfighter, which has been taken from the Interguild Museum and restored to combat condition. This vessel is humanity's last and only hope.