Take a look at forthcoming underwater Android shmup Awaken: Underwater Odyssey

It takes a lot for a top-down shmup to get my attention these days. But Awaken: Underwater Odyssey has managed it.

It was the backgrounds and choice of colours that initially piqued my interest. Cold blues and murky yellows reflect off the rocky details and glowing alien tech here.

Awaken: Underwater Odyssey is set miles below the icy surface of the planet Neptune, you see. It's an underwater shmup. Oh, and you control an Orca, which is a submarine.

It's a story-driven shmup in which you will explore the dangerous caverns of Neptune as you command the Kraken squadron on a dangerous mission.

After the campaign, there will be endgame levels that will have you competing with friends for high scores. You'll also be able to unlock unique equipment for your Orca.

Given I was so intrigued by Awaken: Underwater Odyssey, I decided to check out the preview demo on Kongregate (PC only). In this opening level preview, you definitely get a feel for the basics of the game.

It's clear that Awaken: Underwater Odyssey won't surprise anyone that has a played a shmup before. But if its story can bring sufficient life to those backgrounds, then I'll be happy enough.

Even if it doesn't, taking on hordes of shrimp-like enemies firing pink bullets in pretty patterns still appeals to me.

Awaken: Underwater Odyssey will be swimming onto Android and PC soon. You can keep up with its development on the developer's blog.