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Shadow Shmup

Carve neon patterns through hostile space. Every route you draw comes back as a lethal shadow you must dodge.

Heads up: If the embed stalls, open Shadow Shmup directly in a new tab to continue your run. Open game in a new window

Gameplay overview

Echo-powered bullet hell

Shadow Shmup is a minimalist shoot ’em up built for the Vibe Jam. Pilot a luminous fighter through 3D arenas while the game records your every move. When the wave resets, shadow clones retrace your previous flight paths and fire patterns, turning your old strategies into fresh hazards. Survive longer than your echoes to climb the score ladder and unlock brutal boss fights.

How to play Shadow Shmup
Draw precise routes, unleash shadow bursts, and remember that your past self will mirror every maneuver on the next loop.

Controls

Dual-stick style

  • Click and drag (or touch and drag) to steer; your ship thrusts toward the pointer.
  • Hold the primary button to fire; release to reposition quickly.
  • Right-click or tap with two fingers to trigger a shadow burst once charged.
  • Keyboard players can use W A S D plus Space to trigger burst as an alternative.

The interface highlights recorded ghost paths so you can predict where shadows will appear during the next cycle.

Mechanics

Record and rerun

Each wave captures a short loop of your flight and firing pattern. When the timer resets, that path replays as an autonomous “shadow” ship. Stack multiple loops and you’ll weave through your own past bullet curtains while fighting fresh enemies.

Power-ups & scoring

Destroy enemies to earn charge orbs, increase your fire rate, and extend the recording window. Grazing bullets adds bonus points and speeds up burst recharge—riskier routes lead to higher scores but more dangerous ghosts.

Strategy tips

Outsmart your echoes

  • Keep early loops clean and compact. The tighter the path, the easier it is to dodge shadows later.
  • Use burst attacks to erase dense bullet patterns just before a new loop begins.
  • Plan escape lanes in advance—your shadow copies never deviate, so predictable paths are survivable paths.

Frequently asked questions

Need a quick answer?

Q: Does Shadow Shmup support controllers?
A: Yes. Gamepads map movement to the left stick and firing to the right trigger by default.

Q: How do shadow loops work?
A: After each wave, your last several seconds of movement and shooting replay automatically. Avoid crossing their trails unless you’re ready to burst-clearing them.

Q: Can I reset progress?
A: Reload the page to restart from wave one—leaderboard entries remain online if you submit your score.