Indie developer Mad Rabbit Digital has released a demo for Metal Crisis, the new shmup we reported on back in September 2025. The playable preview of the frenetic-looking space shooter is available to download on Steam or directly from the SFGHQ forums.

Metal Crisis is a 2D horizontal-and-vertical shmup "inspired by 3D space shooters of the 90s". Set against the backdrop of an intergalactic colony war, Players pilot a new Earth vessel - the Cruise UEF Mk.I - in an attempt to regain stolen military reconnaissance from deep behind enemy lines.

While enemy forces are tough and plentiful, the Cruise UEF is equipped with the ability to adapt to the weaponry of opposing forces. As the ship winds its way through a hail of bulletstorms, players can adopt the enemy's fire patterns, changing up their arsenal on the fly and giving waves of adversaries (and their mighty bosses) a taste of their own medicine.

To the dedicated shmupper, Metal Crisis' weapon system, as well as its audio/visual style, is instantly reminiscent of Einhander, a classic shmup that launched on PlayStation in 1997. From the metallic nature of Crisis' 3D environments, the dazzling visual effects, and even its pounding techno score (composed by Mad Rabbit pseudonym DJEAR), Metal Crisis is clearly designed as a loving tribute to its Japanese predecessor, which is frequently cited as one of the genre's best offerings.

Metal Crisis is currently in development at Mad Rabbit Digital. No release date has been set.