Indie developer Mass Creation is now testing out their action sidescrolling game Shing! on its first unsuspecting humans. The closed beta went live today on Steam.

Shing! puts you in control of a band of courageous warriors, with mouths as sharp as their blades (a big motivation to keep playing is just to hear what one-liners are coming next). Move your character with the left control stick, and use the right stick to attack enemies in both directions. You can play the game solo (switching between the four heroes is a quick one-button task) or try the co-op mode in both local and online flavors.

So how do you start playing? You must head to the Shing! Discord at this address: http://bit.ly/MC_Discord. Put your name in, and if you’re picked, you’ll receive two keys to the beta: one for you, and one for a friend. Enjoy additional content over the next few months as Mass Creation adds to the game…and if you’re NOT chosen, don’t feel bad — Mass will give you a 50% off coupon to purchase Shing! when it comes out.

Shing! is due to be completed in the second quarter of 2020 with a planned release on PC, Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch, XBox One, Mac and Linux.

Shing! delivers classic arcade beat ‘em up gameplay in a lighthearted, action-packed adventure with a band of wisecracking warriors. Experience fast, freestyle combat – designed intuitively around the right analog control stick – with an extensive moveset of combos, parries, counters, aerials and the power to instantly switch between four playable heroes. Battle demons and epic bosses in style on your own or with friends in online and local co-op for up to four players.