Tyrian

Tyrian is an epic space shooter from the golden era of DOS gaming, blending fast-paced vertical scrolling action with deep customization and a surprisingly rich sci-fi narrative. As Trent Hawkins, you’re a young pilot on the run from a sinister megacorp across the galaxy. With your ship armed to the teeth and a bit of help from a few rebels, you’re humanity’s last hope to stop MicroSol’s deadly plans. Originally published by Epic MegaGames in 1995, Tyrian has become a cult favorite thanks to its addictive gameplay, killer soundtrack, and enormous replay value.

How to play Tyrian

Game Overview

Tyrian is more than just a shoot-’em-up. While it delivers the classic arcade-style, vertically scrolling action, it adds RPG-like depth with its ship customization, branching storylines, and various game modes. Choose between Story Mode, Arcade Mode, and bonus challenges like Super Tyrian or the quirky Destruct mini-game. Whether you’re after a rich campaign or pure bullet-dodging madness, Tyrian has you covered.

Controls & Compatibility

Originally designed for keyboard, Tyrian is also fully playable via mouse or joystick on supported setups. On PEXY.IO, you can play on desktop or mobile using touch/mouse input depending on your device.

• Arrow Keys / Mouse: Move your ship
• Ctrl / Left Click: Fire main weapons
• Alt / Right Click: Fire alternate weapons or sidekicks
• Space: Use special ability or select menu options

On mobile, intuitive tap and drag controls allow for responsive play.

Game Modes

Story Mode

This is the core experience. Follow Trent’s journey across planets as you collect gear, unravel conspiracies, and upgrade your ship. The campaign branches at key points, so choices matter. Collect “data cubes” to unlock hidden lore and alternate routes.

Arcade Mode

Designed like a coin-op shooter, this mode has no shop system. Instead, pick up power-ups during levels to enhance your weapons and sidekicks. It supports one or two players and allows the merging of two ships into the mighty Steel Dragon for co-op mayhem.

Super Tyrian

Unlocked by entering “engage” at the title screen, this hardcore mode disables all cheats and ramps the difficulty to max. You get a unique ship and weapon, and must rely on secret combos and sharp reflexes to survive.

Timed Battle

Exclusive to Tyrian 2000, this mode challenges you to complete a stage in a set amount of time while racking up kills and dodging bosses.

Mini-games

• Destruct – A Scorched Earth-style artillery game
• Zinglon’s Ale – Dodge and collect ale barrels
• Zinglon’s Revenge & Squadrons – Retro arcade homages

Customization & Upgrades

Between missions (in Story Mode), you’ll access a shop to tweak your ship:

• Front & Rear Weapons – Lasers, plasma guns, flamethrowers, and more
• Generators – Power your systems; stronger weapons need better generators
• Shields & Armor – Absorb damage and regenerate over time
• Sidekicks – Companion pods that assist in battle; some are upgradable

Each weapon can be upgraded up to 10 times. Prices scale steeply, encouraging you to budget credits wisely. Not every shop sells the same gear, so backtracking might be needed for specific builds.

Difficulty & Secrets

Tyrian includes multiple difficulty levels: Easy, Medium, Hard, and secret difficulties like Suicide and Lord of the Game. Harder modes spawn tougher enemies and new challenges—such as limited vision cones in certain missions. Hidden ships and secret modes unlock based on how you finish the game.

FAQ

What is the main story of Tyrian?

You play as Trent Hawkins, a teenage pilot on the run from MicroSol after they kill your best friend over a mysterious energy source called Gravitium. Escape, survive, and expose the truth across multiple planets.

Is Tyrian more than just a shooter?

Absolutely. It blends arcade shooter action with deep RPG-style customization, branching narratives, mini-games, and secrets galore.

How do I upgrade my ship?

In Story Mode, visit the shop between missions to spend credits on better weapons, shields, generators, and armor.

How does Arcade Mode differ from Story Mode?

Arcade Mode is pure action—no shops or credit system. You pick up power-ups and upgrades during gameplay instead.

Can I play Tyrian with a mouse?

Yes! Tyrian supports full mouse control for movement and shooting, especially useful in emulated environments like PEXY.IO.

How do I access Super Tyrian?

Type engage at the title screen to unlock this ultra-hard mode. It gives you a special ship and locks out cheats.

Are there co-op options?

Yes! In Arcade Mode, two players can team up locally. Combining their ships forms the powerful “Steel Dragon.”

Does Tyrian have secrets?

Tons! From hidden weapons and ships to unlockable difficulties, alternate story paths, and goofy mini-games, Tyrian is packed with surprises.

Can I save my game?

In Story Mode, yes. Save often between levels. Arcade Mode does not support saving progress.

Is Tyrian still worth playing today?

Definitely. Its deep mechanics, great humor, and satisfying action hold up incredibly well, making it a must-play for retro and shooter fans alike.

Game Fodder

Manuals

• Tyrian original manual