in My MIND. is a paid action game released by PsychoFlux Entertainment. Aside from the retro arcade game vibes it has, the entire game juxtaposes its adventure with an individual’s mental and emotional journey. With 2D pixel art graphics and a somber soundtrack, this is a game that can be both calming and frustrating, depending on how good you are with bullet hell-type games.

Basically, playing in My MIND. feels like a difficult arcade but with a second, emotional layer underneath that guides the story. It feels like a Warblade or Star Defender 4, but with a dramatic undertone.

A metaphorical bullet hell

In gaming, bullet hell refers to a subgenre of shooting games where a lot of projectile flies—something in My MIND. perfectly captures. Sure, it has that dated pixel art style that might not appeal to all players, but you have to give credit to the colorful and complex patterns that the enemy fire makes. Some patterns are visually stunning that they’ll catch you off guard and kill you.

Also, in terms of the opponents, creativity shines through despite the massive limitations of its design choice. Every enemy design isn’t straightforward as to the negative emotions they portray, although some of them are memorable enough to stay with you even after finishing the game. The devs explain that while facing these emotions in real life is difficult, their simplified in-game counterparts could help players find an outlet.

Of course, as a retro game, it means that some comforts of modern video games are also not available. Looking at its mostly black and white screen, or episodes of solid colors, can cause eye strain—and this does not yet include the intense focus required to dodge all the projectiles thrown at you. Also, the slow and sad background music adds to both the message and the difficulty.

Great for retro gamers

As far as arcade-style shooters go, in My MIND. is a must-try. It has that authentic pixel art graphics, although the sad music feels out of place for the subgenre. Aside from the incredibly challenging bullet hell, it has another layer that adds depth to every encounter—although it arguably leaves players to decide whether the game or its real-world counterpart is more difficult.