Amazing! It plays really well. In fact, I’d like to be able to play this with a controller (hint hint). The story is just the right length, and doesn’t get boring while offering enough to be interesting. The music sounds great, it’s really special and really contributes to the storytelling. There is even some enemy variety, but I feel it’s a little stretched over the five stages. Boss fights are nice, especially the boss themes.
Balance wise, the game is not too hard (on normal), but the [L]aser can feel a little OP. Also some of the pickups are a little confusing. They all have a single letter, no popup text when you pick one up, but I managed to at least guess that the letters mean [E]nergy, [S]hield, [L]aser, and [W]here did my laser go? Is energy used for anything? You can easily spend half the stage with 100 energy just sitting there.
There is also an issue that you are sometimes alone, with no bullets, enemies, and only a scrolling background. I’d fix it by skipping forward if there aren’t any enemies left onscreen.
In summary: one of the best games I’ve played of this jam! I might return and go for the good ending even.