XeGrader plus, developed and published by Tokihiro NAITO for PC, is an action-packed, adventure-based top-down shooter game. Set in a fantastical world, you must fight against various adversaries, collect powerful upgrades, unravel the secrets hidden in each level, and become this high-fantasy realm’s saving grace. 

Combining pixel graphics and retro shooter gameplay, XeGrader plus offers an experience built heavily on nostalgia, making it an excellent choice for fans of old-school arcade shooters. This 1980s-style title also incorporates deep mystery-solving, challenging you to uncover secrets hidden behind ancient mechanisms and concealed passageways. 

Blast through monsters 

The world of XeGrader Plus was once a prosperous realm until darkness descended upon it, engulfing the land and corrupting everything it touched. Now, legions of monstrous creatures, such as Zombies and Vampires, and the likes of iconic fantasy foes, including Slimes and Kobolds, navigate the world freely. It is entirely up to you to bring light to this world and restore order and balance. 

There are two playable characters in this game: One female warrior and one male warrior. Once you have picked your choice of legend, you can finally embark on your journey and blast through hordes of monsters as you uncover hidden mysteries of this high realm in each stage. Unraveling secrets is essential, as it is the most effective way to become stronger. 

Illustrated by Skipmore, this game perfectly captures the ultimate charm of classic 8-bit and 16-bit adventures, bringing an authentic retro experience. On the other hand, the epic soundtrack is created by Tadahiro Nitta, who balances touching melodies with nostalgic FM-style chiptune. It also has two DLCs: The MSX2 Version and the ORIGIN Version. However, it has a couple of drawbacks, including an occasionally unresponsive menu and a loading splash screen taking an excessively long time. 

The perfect title for nostalgia 

XeGrader plus successfully captures the charm of retro adventures with satisfying top-down shooting, rewarding exploration, and a nostalgic audiovisual presentation. The blend of action and mystery keeps each stage engaging, while the handcrafted pixel art and memorable soundtrack enhance the experience. Although the occasionally unresponsive menus and lengthy loading splash screens can be frustrating, they do little to overshadow this enjoyable old-school adventure.