Trippy, psychedelic alien shooter ChainStaff shows there are still new ways for games to be 'retro'

The article critiques the prevalent trend of 'retro' games drawing inspiration from a limited and predictable selection of popular classics, leading to a 'wearily familiar' aesthetic. It champions indie developer Mommy's Best Games for venturing beyond these tropes, offering genuinely varied and creative throwbacks. Examples like Bumpy Grumpy and Shoot 1UP DX demonstrate this broader inspiration. The highlight is their new release, ChainStaff, a psychedelic alien shooter that invokes the spirit of old Psygnosis games or a Commodore Amiga title with its hyper-saturated colors, surreal landscapes, and bizarre enemies. This originality matters as it showcases that new ways exist for games to be 'retro' by tapping into a wider, more diverse history of gaming styles and experiences.