I can understand why a lot of people think this shmup is antiquated. It's the kind of game that actively hates the player - if you die at all in most parts of the game you can probably kiss your run goodbye because of the brutal checkpoint system that feels out of place given that Gaiares is a Thunder Force style shmup. The shot absorption mechanic, which I can best describe as "shmup kirby", is a really neat concept but feels underutilised because most of the weapons are unviable, you'll want to be getting the V. Laser from the stage 2 midboss and then doing your best to keep that for the rest of the game.

But I dunno, I just think it's neat. The stages are fun on their own, the boss designs are kinda jank but very unique and the devs were "nice" enough to include a boss rush in stage 7. Also one of the best early Mega Drive soundtracks imo with a lot of simple but catchy tunes.

On another note, you should check the North American advertising that happened for Gaiares. It's peak early 90s cheese that's just adorable in retrospect lol