Q-Games President Dylan Cuthbert must know that my birthday is on the horizon, because he has finally provided a release date for subterranean-set PixelJunk Shooter.

Day and date details after the jump.

Posting on PlayStation.Blog, Cuthbert revealed that the PlayStation Network exclusive will be available starting next Thursday, Dec. 10. Price was not addressed, but using previous PixelJunks as a guide, I expect to pay around $9.99. Whatever Q-Games demands, I’ll probably pay it. Shooter is looking quite good, and the last must-have release of 2009, in my opinion.

In the game, the player controls a tiny ship tasked with rescuing stranded survivors from treacherous underground caverns. The environments are central to the experience, as rock formations and elemental substances act as natural barriers to progress. They can, however, be manipulated to benefit the player. As an example, by mixing water and magma, the player can create a benign crust, opening additional real estate to explore. Rocks are vulnerable to the ship’s missiles, as are the grunt enemies and bosses lurking about.

In true PixelJunk style, Shooter features colorful, stylized visuals that accentuate the unique flavor of the game. Q-Games’ PSN titles are some of the most visually appealing games of this generation, and Shooter certainly keeps with that tradition.

With all the big releases of the season, it would be easy to overlook a quirky title like Shooter. If you’re interested though, I suggest you check out Destructoid Editor in Chief Nick Chester’s “Ten Minute Taste,” which covers the opening level, Into the Abyss.

Got any thoughts to share? Do it below.

Go ahead. I won’t judge. Promise

Source: PlayStation.Blog