Indie developer Oyasumi Workshop has announced a release date for Mirage Feathers, their retro on-rails shooting action game.

Mirage Feathers is launching for Windows PC (via Steam) on September 6th. A playable demo is also now available.

Here’s a rundown on the game:

Story

Notari had expected one day she would be separated from her best friend. Nothing prepared her for what happened that day. Did the Institute take away Miroita? Did the military, or the Federation itself?

The distinction no longer seemed important. All must pay. Notari desperately fought on. Luciolla, the AI created by Miroita, was Notari’s only companion. “Miroita lives” said her.

Must see her. The thought is germinating, growing more powerful by day. It is a better reason to live each day to the fullest, knowing someone is out there, waiting to see her once more.

Must not abandon her. Must not let her down. Fight on, to find one another again, one step at a time. She knows the day will come. And then, the other one showed up. But…

Gameplay

• You are FEATHER – Mirage Feathers is an anime themed pseudo-3D rail shooter. You are Notari, a cybernetic air-superiority fighter of the Federation’s FEATHER program. You will experience fast tempo combat as you destroy enemy aircrafts wave after wave. Even though the whole world is against you, your ammo is infinite. So fight on, and prove your superiority!
• Fire – Notari’s advanced fire control system automatically locks on a target when it passes your crosshair. Your attacks will then home in on the locked targets.
• Variable Combat Styles – As the story progresses, AI companion Luciolla will acquire weapons specs from stronger opponents, allowing Notari additional main weapon options. They all have different effects, and offer a range of playstyles.
• Initiating OVERDRIVE – FEATHERs may unleash incredible power by initiating OVERDRIVE, enough to destroy everything in sight. Moreover, when in OVERDRIVE mode, your weapons system will have upgraded performance, all your attacks will be buffed.
• Game Modes – This game includes Story Mode and Endless Mode. Story Mode has scripted levels, and explores the characters outside battle with text-based dialogues and cute character art. Endless Mode gives you access to the full arsenal, and pits you against infinite waves of progressively more challenging enemies that spawn randomly.
• Cheat Codes – Is the game too hard? No problem, we have made um… Oh! Sorry, that’s classified.

Characters

• Notari – One of the two FEATHERs from the Institute and best friend of Miroita. Outgoing, hot-tempered, fiercely independent. She is often frustrated by the reality that surrounds her, and is willing to act. She really likes to stick with Miroita. Most people always see the two together. Protagonist in the story, player character.
• Miroita – One of the two FEATHERs in the Institute and best friend of Notari. Calm, obedient and reserved, she likes to err on the side of caution. Miroita often requires Notari’s support to boost confidence, even though her abilities are Notari’s match.
• Luciolla – Notari’s companion originated from Miroita’s own mind, but with a completely different personality. Her main strengths are intelligence gathering and planning. In combat she invades enemy systems to help Notari. She talks like a real person, and would not make you feel alone.
• Professor – Leader of the Institute, and the creator of both Notari and Miroita. Even though she was hard on the pair, she deeply cared for them. Notari thought otherwise, though.