Publisher Strictly Limited Games have announced a very limited physical release for ESCHATOS, the classic Qute Corporation shoot ’em up game.

The new physical release is now available for preorder on both Switch and PlayStation 4, over on the Strictly Limited Games online store. The physical release is available in two variants:

• Limited Edition: limited to 2,600 individually numbered copies for Nintendo Switch and 1,300 for PS4, at a price of 29.99€ / $29.99.
• Collector’s Edition: limited to 1,400 individually numbered copies for Nintendo Switch and 700 for PS4, at a price of 69.99€ / $69.99.

ESCHATOS has been available digitally on both Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4.

Here’s a rundown on the game, plus a trailer for the physical release:

Eschatos is a beloved polygonal vertical shoot ’em up by Qute Corporation. Initially released exclusively on the Xbox 360 in Japan, the game has since gained a cult following.

In Eschatos aliens have taken over the moon and now threaten to do the same to earth. It’s your job to prevent that from happening. To do that your ship is equipped with three different functions, with each being suited for different situations.

The Front Shot shoots a powerful beam in a straight line, the Wide Shot shoots at an angle and the Shield absorbs shots and damages enemies, but works on a limited energy meter. Using them to adapt to each situation is key.

Easy to learn, hard to master is the name of the game; but thankfully there are five difficulty options to help you find your groove and if you have mastered ORIGINAL MODE, try your hand at ADVANCED MODE (no upgrades) or TIME ATTACK MODE.

Not only is the gameplay excellent, the clean graphic style is very pleasing visually and allows the game to transition from one stage to the next without any breaks or even load times in this version! These transitions are accompanied by awesome dynamic camera angles, really showing off the colorful stage backgrounds and creatively bizarre enemy designs. Let’s not forget the superb soundtrack by Yousuke Yasui, whose high-energy synth-heavy work alone will keep you playing! It really is an aural feast.

Shoot ‘Em Up Fans and Collectors can get even more excited as Eschatos is accompanied by its two spiritual predecessors and Qute’s first releases, Judgement Silversword and Cardinal Sins. Both were released in 2004 for the WonderSwan Color and are among the finest looking and playing games of the handheld, both featuring creative scoring mechanics. It’s also fun trying to spot the elements that would later be used as a basis and be built upon by Eschatos, be it gameplay elements or enemy designs. A must have for all WonderSwan fans.

Features:

• Three games in one package:  Eschatos, Judgement Silversword and Cardinal Sins
• Exclusive to the Switch and PS4 versions of Eschatos: Improved load times, remastered soundtrack and performance improvements
• Original, Advanced and Time Attack Mode
• Three types of weapons:  Front Shot, Wide Shot and Shield
• Dynamic camera system, creating a sense of exhilarating speed
• Five beautiful stages, including temple ruins, Earth’s orbit, and the alien moon base
• Massive bosses, battle screen-filling UFOs and other strange enemies
• Online leaderboards and downloadable replay system
• Phenomenal retro-synth soundtrack composed by Yousuke Yasui