Edelweiss was always known for its innovative imagination of the shooter genre. Ether Vapor showed how to make a simple shmup/shoot 'em up/STG more dynamic than most of the 3D TPS space games.
It was never officially stated if AsteBreed is a sequel for Ether Vapor, a separate game set in the same universe, or just a completelly different game. The setting is quite similar: you have an awesome machine below you equiped with the most unique devices you just can find in the world. There are no power-ups, different weapon pick-ups, neither limited bombs to clean the mess you left behind. Instead you use a fully equiped, developed and configurated machine that have different weapons you can use/switch between anytime, as well an option to charge the attacks for unleashing a super attack.
AsteBreed is a prototype alien mech created by the Filune features the "Lucis" which are the core of the gameplay. While having them around you it increase your firepower, but you can lock-on the mass of targets to send the Lucis away to attack them separately. This however decrease your own firepower. There is two way of locking on. The wide-spread fire lock on all around your mech at a limited distance with decreased lock-on speed. The focused fire lock on a much tighter line but all the way to the screen border. While the amount of Lucis on a single target is limited, there is no limit for the on-screen amount.
Other than the basic fire and the advanced Lucis, you have a broadsword. It deal very high amount of damage and capable of destroying non-beam type projectiles. It has a basic combo and a dashing strike which grants you a very limited invulnerability.
There is no bomb, but you have an EX attack. It recharges over time and once ready you can unleash it. It have three different way of use, so keep trying new things.
AsteBreed is a beautiful game with equally quality BGM and dynamic prespective changing. No matter which genre you like, it worth a try.
