ZeroRanger Review (Update)! A Cross-Over HIT in-Waiting! A 2-All 1cc Clear and Stone-Cold Classic
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- Опубликовано: 29 авг 2024
- ZeroRanger is one of my favorite shmups and probably my favorite indie. This game is a stone-cold classic and a huge cross-over hit waiting to happen. It's essential for all shmup fans and also a great gateway into the genre! In this review, I talk about my love for the game and the new update to the arcade mode, which is more challenging :-)
For those not familiar with this video format, the two vids are actually separate halves of the same run, which is a 2-all clear :-D
Buy on Itchi.io (to give devs more money directly)!
system-erasure...
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#ZeroRanger, #Shmup, #Undertale
You know, I'm kinda scared of picking just one game to call my absolute favorite, but if I was like, held at gunpoint or something and forced to choose, it would most likely be ZeroRanger...so I guess it kind of is my favorite game of all time? And I don't even know why, like I couldn't pick just one part of it and say "yeah, THIS is why I love this game so much".
I guess it's because of how well everything comes together? The gameplay, visuals and music are all fantastic on their own, but combining them (and adding a dash of interesting lore on top because apparently the game just wasn't good enough already) just makes for such an incredible experience.
Not to mention the handful of memorable moments (not gonna spoil'em here lol) strewn about that I'm pretty sure I'll never be able to forget. I sometimes just wish I could forget everything about this game and go in blind again, and despite how much I love this genre, that's something I would have never expected to say about a shmup of all things.
Funny you brought up the melee attacks, I've been thinking recently about how a melee-only shmup (slash'em up?) could work. It'd probably involve a lot of destructible bullets if you don't want to just copy the bullet-slowing mechanic in ZeroRanger (I'd feel kinda guilty about doing so haha), or maybe a rechargeable special that cancels bullets? Perhaps having several different kinds of attacks could be neat too, like one button could do a narrow but rapid stab attack, another could be a slower but wider slash, something like that. I'd actually love to make a game like that myself but I'm nowhere near good enough to make a full-fledged game on my own yet.
(Spoilers below this point - please, PLEASE don't read this if you haven't played the game yet!!)
I actually have a pretty dumb (but kinda fun) theory about the third mode: in the game's final public build before being renamed to ZeroRanger (aka Final Boss -Raw Label-, it's free on the System Erasure site so check it out if you want to, it's really cool to see how the game was improved from back then), the game had a traditional difficulty select with 3 modes: White Vanilla (easy), Green Orange (normal) and Black Onion (hard).
Now think about the dream section in 2-4 where the game spoofs DoDonPachi: not only is the boss called King Onion, but the music that plays during the fight, Cipolla Nero, also translates to "black onion" from Italian. Of course this isn't the only part of the game where onions show up but what if...? I mean that would be pretty silly since it would be radically different from the rest of the game, but I think it would be kinda cool, too.
Also, how dare you speed up the end credits. I seriously just let it play every time because I'm too busy bopping to the music.
Great comment! Yeah there is a lot of x factor that makes Zeroranger s awesomeness hard to describe.
Despite the comparison with Undertale, the fact it didn't came to my knowledge that ZeroRanger exists aside from seeing it here, means it still has a long way to go before reaching this iconic, cult, high appraisal indie status. Which is a shame because I know a few people who would go as far as developing a shmup as groundbreaking as ZeroRanger can be, myself included; and seeing this game actually exists and already have some recognition somehow means that although hard, it's not impossible to surface high quality, successful mainstream shump games once again as they once were to all their glory. I'm glad this video exists, and that ZeroRanger is a thing, so thank you. Keep up the nice job man!
This game definitely deserves to be released on multiple platforms outside of Steam. I could only hope that it reaches a point where the devs feel that it's complete and doesn't need more updates, so that it could potentially even get physical releases containing the "complete" game. This is one of the few shmups that really drew me in immediately with the gameplay, soundtrack, and aesthetics. So it's very satisfying to see that it's also very fleshed out. So yeah, absolutely deserves physical releases. I want this one on my shelf. :)
The devs have said that it's a possibility on Twitter but no guarantees it'll happen. I remember hearing that they'd rather finish all the modes on PC first before making any console ports but I couldn't find where I heard that from so maybe I'm just dumb.
@electeic underground...I'm new to steam as in a few hours ago. My first steam game ever Zero ranger. Holy shiiiiiit, what a game. Thanks for the review buddy.
Thanks for tuning in! Next check out blue revolver!
Great overview - thank you for all of your coverage and work in the shmup community.
❤
Speaking of the sword specifically, first game that came to me was Radiant Silvergun. One game that had a sword as a critical weapon and an important part of the strategy, where it becomes your ultimate screen clearing bomb after collecting shots with it. It’s my favorite weapon in that game too.
Yeah the sword rules!!
but my Gurren Lagann Anime Reference!
This is the game that got me into shmups and I'm so grateful to it for that. I went from never playing a shmup to successfully hitting a 2-All on this game after about 40 to 50 hours and experienced immense feeling of reward
And now im hooked on the genre
Easily put over 50 hours into this game, and haven’t explored light mode fully yet. I still need a lot more practice with consistency in the second loop to achieve a 2-all. I see you also went for the blue and orange palette, I had to use that eventually to “beat it”. I love the original visuals but for me the grey palette is so much easier on my eyes for extended sessions.
Yeah the grey palette is awesome too
Its entirety possible that we see a physical version for this on ps4/Switch, considering how many weve got so far.
I collect them for the PS4, I've made a list of shmups that have physical releases.
Here goes..
Sine Mora
Raiden V
Darius Burst
Caladrius Blaze
Ghost Blade hd
Psyvaria Delta
Shikondo Soul Eater
Battle Garrega
Ketsui Deathtiny
Super Hydorah
Skyforce Anniversary
Game Tengoku
Steredenn
Gundemoniam
R Type Dimensions x
Fast Striker
Dimension Drive
Pawarumi
Darius Collection
Esp Ra De
Vasara Collection
Soldner x2
Hopefully, I really want it. Been 3 years since you made this comment, but its not out on ps4 yet, or even switch it seems
Nice review! I def plan on picking this one up next time I need a new Shmup flavor. Love the Redial outro btw
Hell yeah, bomber man hero ost is amazing
this is my most played steam shmup. love it
Wow, this game looks amazing. Before seeing this game I would say Blue Revolver was the best indie SHMUP, but honestly, I think this game may be better, which I didn't think was gonna happen.
I consider them equals :-) hard to say which is better than the other
Love that game. For me it was the best shootemup of decade and a Proof that there is always oportunity for new ideas (or a mix of old ones) on that genre. Everything is perfect. glad to see games like this in a era dominated by bullet hell. This is the most user friendly shoot em up i have seen. Very easy to spot the bullets in the background. The Controls are thight and precise. I AM a keyboard player , but in this game for some unknow reason i can play with the same Precision with gamepad. This game is a lesson in good game design, it hás a many different ideas. The dificulty level is perfect for casual, but its mighty Turn off the hardcore gamer. I have managed to reach Last boss. Hated to see my game erased, but at the least i could appreciate the game to the end unlike games like hellsinker that don t allow the casual gamer to reach Later stages.did not knew that i could charge the sword (i always Skip tutorials and scenes) and i Hated because it didn t hád autofire. Glad too see it was ignorance on my part.
Yes I am constantly referencing zeroranger as a very strong set of ideas for modern design, it is very innovative in a lot of important ways
As a non-shmup fan I gotta say, the game that really clicked for me is Raiden III. I tried this one and ended up refunding, it was too confusing. Steam gives you 2 hours to refund, perhaps if I had more time my mind would have changed.
ZR is a bit more involved then raiden, that's for sure. Here's a list of steam shmups, maybe one of them will catch your interest! ruclips.net/video/LRbdFEFDmbQ/видео.html
@@TheElectricUnderground Oh thank you! You know I have watched that video and got the demo for Super Hydora. I liked it a lot and was very surprised to find out it was developed by Loco Malito, an amazing indie developer from Spain! His games are great and it's nice that he could turn his hobby into a profession, apparently. Some of your other suggestions are also on my wishlist now. Anyway, thanks for the reply!
One of the best shmup indies. I wish it also gets a switch release.
I fucking love the train section, at least in the second loop. I main the drill because Gurren Lagann is one of my favorite...anything, so I can just sit there with my big-ass drill and just avoid shots while carving these trains up.
It is closer to RSG than most but the levels feel more open in ZeroRanger. RSG's levels feel more puzzle like and restricted and has more emphasis on boss fights. The train section reminds me of a similar section in Gigawing. Some of the characters in Gunbird 2 have a melee atatck that reminds me of the sword in this. I suppose this game is really a love letter to shmups as it takes influences from a lot of different games.
Are there any other shmups with this quality of stage design? I really love this game
Radiant silvergun is the closest you get to a similar feel I would say
Brilliant game, but holy fuck 2-4 is goddamn brutal.
So, I Will NEVER, EVER Be Able To 1CC It, Let Alone Survive The TLB Easy. I Rushed The Very Last Stretch Of TLB On My Second Attempt, After Many Game Overs And Reselects Of Stages, I Rage-quitted The Game, Over A Month Ago. But That Gave Me An Audit, Of My Personal Behaviour, As Well.
What It Says, Is I Am Hard-working, Sure, But Giving Up After Failing The Very Last Summit Of The Game, Like Taking A Big Leap In Fear Of An Avalanche On The Very Summit Of A Mountain, It Just Shows How Egoistic I Am, And I Can No Longer Conquer It.
This Game, Will Always Be A Black Mark, For My Personal Audit Check, But Rest Assured... I Will Improve My Personal Self, AND My Gaming Skills In SHMUP, Through DDPII, And THEN Conquer This Son Of A Bitch.
this video might be helpful! I know exactly what you mean. ruclips.net/video/tavaKhh4Tus/видео.html
@@TheElectricUnderground Mucho Gracias, My Dude. And, No, I Am Not Spanish. xD
on my own? i dont remember... but yeah... i only remember that one scene in the game where i had too much space and nothing happen on the screen and mom was like... add some particles it will be fine...
Besides one of the mini battles in one of the bosses, I did not get any Undertale vibe. Could you please be more specific as to what makes ZeroRanger feel like Undertale to you?
Redial!
Penultimate is a good hipster term for the second to last boss
Why are these games all going to switch and not PS4?. I’m missing out on some classics and switches are crazy money to pay for 2 or 3 games .
My guess is that Switch dev kits are easier to access and that shmups sell better on Switch. I m not 100% sure about that, but that s my guess.
speaking of undertale I beat lotus land story without killing anything xd
Bring it to console or gtfo!
Why so blue?
Check out Guxt, from creator of Cave Story. According to him the game was supposed to be monochromatic but the blue palette gave access to more colors without losing that "Game Boy" feel.
Wasn't Guxt greyscale?
Why favourite indie shmup why not favourite shmup. It's this truculent side to
My favorite shmup is Dodonpachi :-)
@@TheElectricUnderground it's a good one. Do you play hellsinker?