Tyrian

Tyrian is a fast-paced vertical-scrolling shoot ’em up released in 1995 for MS-DOS by Epic MegaGames. Known for its smooth action and vibrant pixel art, the game follows the story of ace pilot Trent Hawkins as he battles the sinister Microsol corporation across a variety of exotic planets. Its mix of arcade intensity and lighthearted sci-fi themes makes it one of the standout shooters of the DOS era.

A key strength of Tyrian is its extensive customization system. Players can upgrade ships, equip different weapons, experiment with secondary fire modes, and fine-tune their loadouts between missions. This level of freedom gives the game surprising depth, encouraging replayability and experimentation as challenges increase.

Tyrian also gained recognition for its excellent soundtrack, humorous tone, and generous content, including a full campaign, arcade modes, and hidden secrets. Its polished design and rich feature set helped cement its reputation as a cult classic—one that still appeals to retro gaming fans today.