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The game is excellent and a nice nod to the past, with hints of Xenon2: Megablast.
I was able to play the digital download whilst waiting for the physical order to arrive.
Playing on a 19″ CRT monitor, the game really looks stunning.
There is a nice attention to detail on the artwork, animation and colour.
The flow when flying and shooting/avoiding the enemies feels nice and smooth.
The random weapon select works well, but having a small problem with the level 2 boss, I’ve since ordered an 8bitdo MD pad so I can weapon select.
I initially played on an Arcader stick and the response is great, but just a little too much travel on the stick to be as precise as I like, another reason for the MD order above.
The physical copy arrived today.
Excellent colour and quality on the artwork, the cards all look great, haven’t chosen a sticker for the SD card yet.
All in all, I’d highly recommend this game and its a great example of what can be done on the Next.
Well done to the whole team:
Patricia Curtis – Game & Artwork
Richard Faulkner – Sound
Bret Pritchard – king of retro playthroughs
plus anyone else who helped with creation and release
Thanks for taking the time to leave a review! While you’re waiting for the 8bitdo (it’s what i use – fantastic pad), you could try keyboard control. QAOP z/enter for select and space for fire.
Glad you’re loving it!
Rich (And Bret and Patricia by extension 🙂 )
Hey, Don’t forget you can choose your weapon by holding down C it’s only random if you are on full shields and you fly into the (?). Thanks for the fantastic review.
Okay the downside of TX-1696… Don’t purchase this on a ‘skool night’. I purchased this on a Thursday night and could barely work on Friday. Then did sod all on Saturday too ‘coz guess what, I’m still playing this!
But seriously this is simply fantastic. For me it has all the classic hallmarks of those side scrollers from the arcade days of the late 80’s. May that be Salamander, Nemesis, SkyKid, Parodious, yes even R-Type. BUT, even then I think it’s a bit unfair to compare as this with any of them as it stands up on own merits. Maybe call it a nod, a return to what we all love, or a spritual campanion, but THIS is exactly what we wanted when we played Zynaps, Lightforce, X-Out, Uridium back in the day on our little black Speccys.
While my physical box has not quite arrived yet, I’m reliably informed by RoyalMail it’s imminent, but who cares I’m totally loving this.
I’m running a KS2 using a 6button Megadrive pad, yes I do honestly prefer keys but there are a few here to utilise during play – and I’m 40 years older than I was… Also loving that you’ve locked the gameplay to 50hz as for me it shows ‘here’ is how the dev has decided the speed the game should be played at.
Graphics… in many ways have quite an Amiga feel to them and a bit strange coming from something with a Sinclair badge on it, but that’s absolutely no bad thing. That box of ZX blackness brought us the joy but never graphics as great as this. Clear and plenty, you’ll never have one of those ‘what hit me’ moments. You will however have plenty of those moments where you get totally distracted by how great everything looks before it suddenly goes and blows you to bits.
If I did have one wish would be a soundtrack written for the Next itself over being streamed as audio (I’m all for ‘enhanced’ soundtacks too), but even that is a stupid gripe for such an amazing soundtrack. This rocks… pumps you up for the fight, good varience to each level (or tune), and a reason to break though to the next level. I’ve even been humming that theme all day. Geeking out too with the instrumentation too awesome retro choice and a great nod to the era. You can even use the menu as a mini jukebox too, lock the game to a single tune or just swap everything around if that’s what you prefer – loving this user experience: thank you.
This is easily in my top 3 games so far for the Next… Well, Number 1 if we are talking ORIGINAL IP, as this is no retro remake with bells on. This is a well crafted shooter that stands on its own. Could this even be the beginning of the next level of gaming that we can expect to see on Next? I hope so.
Hats and accolades to everyone on this, I hope we see more work of this quality please.
Thank you so much for taking the time to review our game. So glad you’re enjoying at and we’re humbled to receive such a glowing review. Thank you!
Great game 👍
Congratulations on a great achievement. Another spectrum next classic!