Zeon 25 is a shoot 'em up game developed both by independent game companies Jumbl Games and SnagBox Studio.The shoot 'em up game is a tribute to 16-bit classic consoles games from the 90s.

Something Familiar and Nostalgic

Zeon 25 lets new players experience what it feels like to play classic shoot ‘em ups in arcades. Those classic games were infamous for their high difficulty spike as players lose and they have to pay up extra credits to continue the game. This shoot ‘em up game meanwhile has alleviated that problem since players don’t have to drop quarters when they lose, they can simply start again. On the other hand, players are still tested with their gaming skills since shoot ‘em up games are difficult genre to master. Bullets fly over the screen and they have to dodge them carefully.

Minor Changes to the Formula

The shoot ‘em up game has a VHS effects filter to add a retro feel, although it could distract players from the bullets towards their direction. Despite having a very familiar gameplay, Zeon 25 adds new features to the tried and tested genre. Each playable ship has a health and it can only sustain a certain amount of damage. Players can improve their ship through upgrades in order to surpass stronger enemies. They can also select weapons in mid-flight by opening their inventory. Certain weapons are effective in some situations. The inventory includes an entry of the story where players can read and follow what is going on. The plot is sometimes shrugged off in shoot ‘em up games since players tend to focus more on the action rather than noticing the intricate world-building that most developers intend to narrate. It’s up to the player whether they divulge with the story or jump into the action instead. The shoot ‘em up game comes with plentiful of contents. Players face more than 50 enemy types and bosses to challenge. They can also access special arcade mode for an additional challenge. Another thing that makes this game different is that it has a short story mode with 3 chapters. Most classic shoot ‘em ups have a very prolong play time by repeating the same stages after defeating the final boss. The second run often features increased difficulty, more bullets flying and harder enemies. Having a shorter game time meanwhile is ideal for those who have a busy schedule and they want a simple, quick game. A game’s soundtrack can affect player performance as it gives audio queues and rhythm to crucial moments. This shoot ‘em up game boasts a rhythmic soundtrack reminiscent of retro games.

Bringing Back the 90s Shmups

Zeon 25 mainly capitalizes on nostalgic shumps or shoot em up games in the 90s. It features 2D sprite art, retro soundtrack and hardcore gameplay. Modern players will have an idea how games from the past looked and felt like.