The idea of a sidescroll shooter is always a nice one, adding the ammunition goes well with the scorching desertic wastelandsetting, the controls work well and the triangle in the backsound is a nice touch.
But I feel there are somethings that don't match up, like the story of a brave man that never retreats and being stuck to only move by dodging rocks and retreating when firing, or the setting of a desertic wasteland with a happy energetic tune in the back.
In the end, I believe it would have been better if you were to always walk forward, even dropping the plataforming altogether, and focusing on shooting down anyone who dared to walk in your path.