It takes a very specific mindset to fully enjoy the genre mix that Alkemi's Drifting Lands brings to the table, but if you can stand the repetition, its gameplay loop of shooting and looting can be positively mesmerizing.
Taking its inspirations both from classic horizontal shoot 'em ups and loot-heavy action RPGs, Drifting Lands has you flying your ship through increasingly difficult levels while picking up shiny new stuff. Inbetween missions, you'll equip new parts, sell the ones you don't need, and redistribute your stats in order to make your flying killer machine ever more efficient, which is very satisfying.

There a different skills you can acquire and tailor to your preferred way of playing. From a powerful short-range attack to a bunch of fireballs surrounding you or a bullet-reflecting shield, there's quite a bit of variety, further complemented by a set of passive skills which allow for all kinds of fun builds. Despite this being a shoot 'em up, getting up close and personal is definitely an option with the right set of skills.
The game is intentionally light on story, it's all about gameplay. And make no mistake, this is a grind, an endlessly repeating series of levels and enemies. This is not something you play for the thrill of mastering a difficult level with limited lives, this is a game you play to zone out. You do have to pay attention to the onscreen action, but it's not like you have to actively keep a long-term strategy in mind or something...