Promethium
Inspired by classic Commodore 64 and arcade games, Promethium is a hard-as-nails retro inspired side-scrolling shoot-em-up that takes place over numerous levels that get harder and harder. If you’re after a nice calm casual game this isn’t it!
Developer
Publisher
Release
August 18, 2017
8 years and 351 days ago
Steam Reviews
Mixed24 reviews66.7%
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Game contextLatest: IGF Team
| ContextThe evidence factors used to assess whether this game belongs on IndieGame.Fan. | Status | Notes Latest Contributor: IGF TeamEdit notes |
|---|---|---|
Updated: Jul 14, 2026Developer scaleThe operating scale of the game's developer. | ||
Updated: Jul 14, 2026Publisher scaleThe operating scale of the game's publisher. | A separate publisher is listed without a proven bounded regional or service-only role. | |
Updated: Jul 14, 2026Release statusWhether and how the game has been released. | The title released with a separate publisher relationship. |
Media
11 itemsAbout the Game
The Promethium armada is headed to Earth, leaving a toxic trail of destruction in its wake. Commander Braybrook, it is your mission to take up the experimental deep space fighter and stop the armada before it reaches us - YOU ARE OUR ONLY HOPE!
Inspired by classic Commodore 64 and arcade games, Promethium is a hard-as-nails retro inspired side-scrolling shoot-em-up that takes place over numerous levels that get harder and harder. If you’re after a nice calm casual game, this isn’t it!
Fly left and right over the Promethium armada ships. They have shield generators protecting them. Hover over a shield generator to hack and disable it. Once all the shield generators are disabled a self destruct code will be sent to the armada ship causing it to explode. Be careful though, the armada ships are guarded by a fleet of fighters!
Destroy enemy ships and collect the power pods they drop. These power pods are like cash, they allow you to buy power-ups.
The available power-ups are displayed at the bottom of the screen. The power-up you can buy is highlighted in orange. Every time you collect a power pod the next power-up becomes available to you. Some power-ups are single use, some are multiple and some are timed. Experiment to find your perfect combination.
Promethium can be played on a joypad or if you're really brave and have the reflexes of a Ninja Cat then you can use a keyboard. I'd really recommend a Joypad though, this game is tough enough as it is.
Use any analog stick or the d-pad to control the experimental fighter, or in keyboard mode use WSAD or cursor keys to fly.
You can fire using any of the triggers, bumpers or the 'B' button on Xbox 360 or Xbox One controllers and the 'O' button on the Dualshock controller. If you are in keyboard mode you can press the space bar to fire.
You can buy the current power-up by pressing the 'A' button on Xbox 360 or Xbox One controllers and the 'X' button on the Dualshock controller. If you are playing using a keyboard then any key other than WSAD, Space or the cursor keys will allow you to buy the current power-up - I'd suggest the return key is a handy one.
INSPIRED BY C64 AND ARCADE CLASSICS
Inspired by classic Commodore 64 and arcade games, Promethium is a hard-as-nails retro inspired side-scrolling shoot-em-up that takes place over numerous levels that get harder and harder. If you’re after a nice calm casual game, this isn’t it!
Gameplay
Fly left and right over the Promethium armada ships. They have shield generators protecting them. Hover over a shield generator to hack and disable it. Once all the shield generators are disabled a self destruct code will be sent to the armada ship causing it to explode. Be careful though, the armada ships are guarded by a fleet of fighters!
Power-ups
Destroy enemy ships and collect the power pods they drop. These power pods are like cash, they allow you to buy power-ups.
The available power-ups are displayed at the bottom of the screen. The power-up you can buy is highlighted in orange. Every time you collect a power pod the next power-up becomes available to you. Some power-ups are single use, some are multiple and some are timed. Experiment to find your perfect combination.
Controls
Promethium can be played on a joypad or if you're really brave and have the reflexes of a Ninja Cat then you can use a keyboard. I'd really recommend a Joypad though, this game is tough enough as it is.
Use any analog stick or the d-pad to control the experimental fighter, or in keyboard mode use WSAD or cursor keys to fly.
You can fire using any of the triggers, bumpers or the 'B' button on Xbox 360 or Xbox One controllers and the 'O' button on the Dualshock controller. If you are in keyboard mode you can press the space bar to fire.
You can buy the current power-up by pressing the 'A' button on Xbox 360 or Xbox One controllers and the 'X' button on the Dualshock controller. If you are playing using a keyboard then any key other than WSAD, Space or the cursor keys will allow you to buy the current power-up - I'd suggest the return key is a handy one.
