ZOE Begone! is an arcade-style action game developed by Retchy Games and published by PM Studios, Inc. for multiple platforms. Set in an animated world, you step into the shoes of ZOE, a drawn-out character who wants peace and can only achieve it by dealing with the animator. 

Illustrated in hand-drawn 2D graphics, ZOE Begone! offers a fast-paced, combat-filled experience with its diverse gameplay mechanics, including shoot-‘em-up, bullet hell, side-scrolling, twin-stick shooting, time attack, and boss rush. It is inspired by the 1930s drawn-on-film animation, making the encounters familiar and nostalgic. 

Dash, shoot, pound 

In ZOE Begone!, you must dash, shoot, and wreck your way through the animator's tools and creations, blasting through a wide range of elements across each uniquely designed stage, playable at three difficulty levels, while accompanied by an amazing boogie soundtrack. Gain powerups and make upgrades to ensure topping the online and local leaderboards, and give the normalcy that ZOE has been wanting to achieve. 

There are three exciting ways to play this title: Arcade Mode, where you battle the animator’s tools, collect Apples from defeated foes, and spend them on upgrades between reels; Time Attack Mode, where you race against the clock, defeat enemies, and earn time tokens through mini-boss challenges; and Frame Trap Mode, the ultimate test where all bosses unite for a final showdown with the Animator against you. 

The more you dash and pound, the greater your score becomes. What’s more, the local and online leaderboards across each mode are separate from one another, allowing you to dominate each mode both locally and online. However, it suffers from a couple of drawbacks. For instance, in Time Attack mode, clearing the enemies does not always result in successful clearing. Controls have reportedly been unresponsive occasionally. 

Hand-drawn arcade madness 

ZOE Begone! delivers a nostalgic yet adrenaline-filled arcade experience with its hand-drawn visuals, fast-paced combat, and diverse gameplay modes. While minor issues exist, including occasional control hiccups and Time Attack inconsistencies, the game's charm, energetic soundtrack, and competitive leaderboards keep it engaging. Whether you're chasing high scores or battling for ZOE's peace, this unique blend of retro inspiration and modern mechanics offers plenty for arcade fans to enjoy and master.