We're looking for new writers to join us!

Black Paradox blasts out of early access and onto consoles

by: Sean Colleli -
More On: Black Paradox

Ah, the scrolling shooter. Lesser known as the "shmup" to fans of the genre, or more generally as a "bullet hell," this style of game was the bread and butter of action aficionados back in the 16-bit era. The Super Nintendo had several notable classics, the Sega Genesis was silly with the things, and I'm pretty sure at least 90% of the Turbografx-16's American library consisted of scrolling shooters. I'm surely going to catch a lot of flack from TG-16 fans for that last sentence, but that doesn't change the fact that the shmup is alive and well in the current age.

Case in point: publisher Digerati and Italian developer Fantastico Studio have announced that their scrolling shooter Black Paradox is leaving early access very soon, to inflict an inferno of projectiles onto Steam, PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. This modern take on the venerable genre has gained wide acclaim in early access and promises white knuckle difficulty, two-player co-op and even some roguelite elements. You can check out the launch trailer below. Black Paradox has a staggered release, hitting PS4 on April 30th, going into full release on Steam on May 2nd, and launching a day later on Xbox One and Switch on May 3rd.

Intense interstellar shoot ‘em up Black Paradox coming soon to consoles, also leaving Early Access
 
Become the ultimate bounty hunter as the frantic bullet-hell action launches on Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and gets a full release on Steam


11 April 2019 – From indie publisher Digerati and Italian developer Fantastico Studio comes the galactic side-scrolling roguelite shoot ‘em up, Black Paradox. The retro-stylish shmup is set to launch on PlayStation 4 on 30 April/1 May (NA/EU respectively), and Nintendo Switch™ and Xbox One on 3 May. Black Paradox also makes the hyper jump from Steam Early Access into full release on 2 May. 


During its time in Early Access, Black Paradox has garnered an 8.5/10 positive rating on Steam, praised by users for its intense boss fights and side-scrolling action, variety of enemies, weapons and upgrades, and stylish 80s-infused aesthetic and powerful retro soundtrack.

“Flying space cars, masked bounty hunters and big bad bosses. All spiced up with pixel art and a synth-wave soundtrack. That's what we wanted to bring to our game with Black Paradox!” Enthuses Fantastico Studio CEO, Daniele Bianchini. “We think the roguelite shoot 'em up genre hasn't been explored enough and Black Paradox brings a fresh take on it.”

 
About the game
Black Paradox is a fast-paced roguelite shoot 'em up. Unleash an arsenal of weapons, power-ups, drones, and other upgrades to survive waves of enemies, against a backdrop of vibrant pixel art and synth-wave soundtrack. As the infamous bounty hunter Black Paradox, travel through space and defeat the most dangerous criminal organization in the galaxy: the Hellraisers and its seven lieutenants. 

Enter the cockpit, ready your weapons, and prepare for the ultimate galactic showdown.

Key features20 weapons, 37 powerups, 13 deadly drones, 8 amazing power-up combos, and the ultimate space-bending move: the "Black Paradox"
62 different enemies, each with its own attack patterns
14 deadly bosses with unique attacks + 1 secret boss
Upgrade your stats and unlock new powers
2 player local co-op
Amazing pixel art, awesome synth-wave soundtrack
Extra hardcore boss rush mode to unlock