CounterAttack: Uprising (v1.1.4r551)

Earth’s last line of defense is an experimental fighter program built to erase a machine rebellion before it wipes out humanity. CounterAttack: Uprising is a fast, colorful side-scrolling shoot-’em-up that pairs classic arcade formations, enormous bosses, and screen-filling firepower with a surprisingly flexible RPG-style build system. Its tone is knowingly over-the-top rather than grim: pilots fire tactical nukes, lasers, drone swarms, and other ridiculous hardware while hostile Automatons pour in from every direction. The result feels like an old-school arcade shooter rebuilt for players who want to tinker as much as they want to dodge.

Flying through the campaign means weaving around bullet patterns, clearing enemy waves, collecting drops, and turning a basic ship into a highly specialized killing machine. Eight pilots bring their own craft, passive trait, and charged ultimate, allowing one player to lean into survival and shielding while another focuses on raw damage or support. More than 600 attachments alter weapons, engines, drones, critical effects, defenses, and allied buffs, with combinations that can create focused builds or wonderfully chaotic fleets of turrets and followers. A branching 32-stage campaign, multiple difficulty options, bosses, and endless survival modes give solo players plenty to master, while death in co-op still lets eliminated pilots contribute as mounted turrets.

Co-op is the heart of the package, supporting four players on one machine and up to eight online across platforms, with shared teamwork options or competitive scrambling for power-ups. Support auras and attachments encourage coordinated squads, but the game also accommodates the player who simply wants the largest possible laser. Its level and campaign editors add substantial longevity, especially through community-made missions and builds, and custom content can unlock equipment without demanding a full campaign grind. Fans of R-Type, Gradius, and contemporary bullet-heavy arcade shooters will appreciate the familiar action, while the extensive customization makes it especially rewarding for veteran SHMUP players looking for a more experimental, social alternative.