Hey everyone, let’s dive into Intake by Cipher Prime Studios (developer and publisher). This retro‑futuristic drugstep arcade shooter fuses Dr. Mario with Ikaruga, and it just released on Steam in June 2025. Steam users praise its “super simple yet challenging pill‑popping gameplay” and “addictive neon visuals.” One reviewer says, “Hard not to become hooked as you hunt for your perfect run to Level 100.” They also love the mouse‑control precision tip, which makes aiming and timing feel effortless. Since I focus on mastering tight mechanics, this game fits my style perfectly.
Intake’s 70 finely tuned achievements really excite me. Moreover, Cipher Prime, the Philadelphia indie behind Auditorium and Fract OSC, knows how to craft deep systems. You grab vitamins, trade them for game‑changing upgrades like shield bursts or slow‑mo, and unlock a hidden SHMUP mode. Users note the “coin‑up look and feel” and “epic audiovisual mayhem.” Personally, I’m determined to check off every Easter egg, secret score, and colorblind option, deuteranopia, protanopia, and tritanopia, before moving on.
I usually roam open worlds, but Intake’s neon levels feel like an open microcosm. Each wave surprises you with unique pill patterns and reactive mechanics. Steam feedback calls it an “instant thumbs up” for its harmony of graphics, controls, and soundtrack. As someone who chases hidden secrets, I love how the Challenge Modes—Acceleration, Minefield, Reaction, and Flood—push you to evolve your playstyle. Plus, Cipher Prime often teases future modes via their lively Twitter streams, keeping the community engaged.
Sub‑two‑minute runs are awesome, especially in Flood mode, which is a treasure trove for speedrunners. In addition, users mention mouse cursor speed tweaks as a must‑have, since that tweak alone can shave seconds off your clear. I map out pill patterns and vitamin drops to optimize combos, striving for flawless chains. With full Steam Workshop support and a high global scoreboard, you can push the leaderboards. Best of all, the 70 achievements even teach new tricks for perfect speed.
Intake uses both mouse and keyboard seamlessly. Pills gravitate toward your cursor, so precise placement is key. Each vitamin you collect buys you power‑ups—think shield bursts, slow‑mo, or bomb spreads. It aligns classic SHMUP roots with fresh FPS energy. I compare it to Resogun’s color polarity or Ikaruga’s white‑black swap: here you match pill colors or risk overdose, creating an innovative twist in the arcade shooter space.
There’s no heavy plot, but the world‑building via in‑game warnings and “lethal dosage” lore hooks you immediately. Developer blogs mention they wanted pure gameplay with a retro twist. Hidden text logs on menus hint at a cyber‑clinic run by rogue AI, adding sci‑fi flavor without slowing you down. I’d welcome an expanded story update or DLC. Perhaps even a brief comic—to deepen the immersion.
Intake runs on a custom engine optimized for 60+ fps, and its polychromatic palette glows under neon backdrops. Think Hotline Miami’s flair meets Geometry Wars’ color blasts. Animations stay crisp even in hectic scenes, with no frame drops on mid‑range PCs. Plus, colorblind modes work flawlessly. As a proponent of accessibility, I applaud how seamless deuteranopia, protanopia, and tritanopia options are integrated. There’s also zero noticeable input lag. Perfect for high‑intensity runs.
That dubstep soundtrack truly rips, syncing every “wub” with pill combos. Tracks like “Vitamin Overload” and “Neon Surge” fuel the adrenaline, while subtle sound cues signal vitamin spawns milliseconds before you spot them. Audio layers build tension. Heavy bass for big waves, crisp trebles for precision phases. I train my ears to spot each cue, which gives me a split‑second edge.
You pilot a nameless technician in a sleek bio‑suit. Although minimal, your avatar evolves via unlockable skins that reference Cipher Prime’s past titles. It’s a fun nod for longtime fans. I’d love to see more lore in future updates. Perhaps character bios or diary entries to flesh out the world even further.
Difficulty spikes in Flood and Acceleration modes, which is perfect for speed‑centric players seeking a real test. Meanwhile, Minefield mode emphasizes pattern recognition more than raw reflexes. Achievement milestones guide you through each mode’s nuances, ensuring difficulty scales nicely as you improve. Every run feels fresh, thanks to dynamic patterns and evolving vitamin drops.
With 70 achievements and four distinct modes, I foresee dozens of replay runs ahead. Unlockable SHMUP mode changes both visuals and mechanics, offering fresh hooks. Perfect‑run tournaments and community challenges make me revisit levels hourly. In fact, every update so far has added new cosmetic unlocks and leaderboard tweaks. Keeping the experience alive.
If you love intense, reflex-driven shooters, titles like Ikaruga, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved, and Jamestown+ deliver vibrant visuals, deep scoring systems, and cooperative play. Meanwhile, Super Hexagon ramps up minimalist design for extreme reflex tests, and Dr. Mario World combines puzzle-strategy with fast-paced capsule shooting. Each game blends unique mechanics and high-energy action, making them perfect picks for fans seeking strategic arcade thrills and timeless replayability.
