Revolgear Zero Assessment: A Stable Shmup Expertise

2025 was a 12 months that noticed a shocking variety of retro revivals from long-lost genres.

We noticed Ninja Gaiden Ragebound and Shinobi: Artwork of Vengeance convey again 2D motion platformers in model. Marvel Cosmic Invasion led the best way for the basic co-op beat ’em up expertise, as did the indie sleeper hit Ra Ra Growth. If Revolgear Zero is any indication, 2026 might do the identical for the shmup style.

Through the years, it appears like shmups, also called “shoot-’em-ups,” have felt like they’ve fallen by the wayside. We will see their DNA in video games like Vampire Survivors and Ball x Pit, or in basic indie twin-stick shooters like Enter the Gungeon, however these are their very own genres. That basic, genuine old-school arcade expertise is one thing you see extra usually in, nicely, arcades, reasonably than in one thing like Star of Windfall.

With that in thoughts, Revolgear Zero appears like a beautiful breath of contemporary air, delivering the basic, genuine old-school arcade expertise I have been craving. Slightly than ship any new fancy bells or whistles when it comes to style innovation, it as an alternative focuses on delivering that pure shmup expertise that takes me again to my childhood, the place I would always dump quarters into Raiden II.

Revolgear Zero’s Gameplay is Easy But Difficult

The gameplay of Revolgear Zero performs like a neat mixture of a 2D side-scrolling platformer and a basic shmup. As a substitute of merely dodging incoming hearth from enemies, of which there might be many, you are additionally coping with the terrain in sure phases. This will vary from branching pathways to a full-blown platforming-style climb whereas dodging the terrain itself.

It is one thing that always retains gameplay contemporary and interesting by subsequent playthroughs. Not solely am I compelled to remain on my toes and alert always, however the job at hand adjustments based mostly on the stage. It is one thing that has me always coming again for extra. Not simply the precise shmup gameplay, however perfecting every run.

This ties instantly into the gameplay as nicely. Along with your conventional assault, you will even have entry to a burst assault that offers huge harm whereas defending you from incoming assaults. As anticipated, that is preferrred not just for defending your self from iconic bullet hell moments but additionally for shortly eliminating hordes of enemies.

You’ll refill the vitality gauge wanted to make use of this burst assault in two methods. First, when you take harm, the gauge will refill over time. After all, that is not preferrred since, nicely, you understand, taking an excessive amount of harm results in your dying, and it isn’t all the time straightforward to inform whenever you’re susceptible to dying, which is undoubtedly one among my greatest frustrations with the sport. Fortunately, there’s one other option to refill the gauge, and that is with a 3rd assault that may additionally refill the gauge, even when it leaves you further weak.

Once you put all the pieces collectively, Revolgear Zero delivers a fragile dance of balancing all of your assaults to reside by its most perilous moments. It is an addictive gameplay loop that has saved me coming again for extra, irrespective of how a lot I preserve dying.

Tinker, Tailor, Shmup, Spy

In the end, the secret in Revolgear Zero is certainly perfecting every run. Not essentially to acquire a excessive rating and arcade immortality by way of your initials, however to unlock and discover the precise ship configuration that fits your playstyle.

As you are coping with the hordes of enemies, you will purchase cash that you need to use within the recreation’s store. The extra enemies you kill in succession, the extra cash you will get hold of. Make the most of your cost beam, and you will instantly begin buying essentially the most cash doable. It is a good way to reward gamers for enjoying effectively, as not solely will you get hold of that treasured store forex to unlock ship configuration, but additionally further lives. As everyone knows, these further lives may be a very powerful improve you will ever get hold of, particularly in increased difficulties.

To be completely trustworthy, many of the enjoyable I’ve had with Revolgear Zero has been experimenting with completely different ship builds and seeing which configurations I want. Given how every stage performs out otherwise, it is vital to search out setups that not solely play to your private strengths in a vaccuum, but additionally one thing that may deal with all the pieces the sport throws at you. For instance, there’s one stage the place I am coping with enemies coming from in entrance and behind me. Consequently, I am utilizing a configuration with an alternate weapon loadout that shoots in each instructions, permitting me to cope with all these enemies with ease.

After all, what works for me might not give you the results you want, and that is the largest energy of Revolgear Zero. There’s a lot to tinker with that, identical to the stage selection, it helps always preserve issues contemporary. That is doubly vital as a result of, sadly, the quantity of content material that exists inside the recreation is slightly missing.

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Revolgear Zero Boasts Loads of Gameplay Modes, However Most Really feel Shallow

On paper, there’s plenty of content material accessible in Revolgear Zero.

After finishing the sport’s Commonplace Mode, you will achieve entry to play every stage individually, in addition to a Boss Rush mode. Past that, there are 30 missions to select from, co-operative play, an alternate gameplay mode that recharges your increase vitality sooner, and even a secret recreation mode to unlock.

Given how replayable the sport already is, particularly with the quantity of customization you are able to do on your build-outs, you’d determine that the entire number of modes is the icing on the cake. Sadly, that is not the case. Mission mode is an enormous disappointment that by no means felt well worth the effort.

Boss Rush is all the time time, particularly when you’re seeking to check your limits in a extra expedited method. Nonetheless, I hoped for slightly greater than what was accessible right here. It is surely the worst a part of the sport. I get that the sport’s launching at a reduced worth, however there are such a lot of different indie video games that supply extra bang on your buck.

Stylin’, Profilin’

Fortunately, when you want some egging on to maintain going, Revolgear Zero’s soundtrack has you coated.

Regardless of the anime aesthetics of the sport’s characters, Revolgear affords a extra basic retro arcade expertise by its visuals and soundtrack. That is very a lot a recreation that appears, sounds, and feels just like the arcade shmups of previous that we fell in love with again within the day, and I’m very a lot right here for it.

This performs into the general really feel of the sport; I discussed on the high how the DNA of basic shmups has developed into different genres that supply extra gameplay depth at present. Revolgear Zero as an alternative trusts that the basic shmup gameplay and vibes can maintain up nicely at present. I am joyful to report that it’s certainly the case.

It is a recreation that I can not put down, whether or not it is for some fast nightly periods in mattress or after I’m seeking to go the time earlier than realizing I have been taking part in for a handful of hours with out breaking a sweat.

Revolgear Zero is an pleasurable and satisfying retro shmup expertise that may undoubtedly fulfill the style’s greatest followers. It is nowhere close to as difficult as a number of the style’s juggernauts, neither is it as spectacular, however there’s nonetheless loads to get pleasure from right here, particularly at a reduced price ticket. I simply want there have been extra to see and do in Revolgear Zero to draw those that aren’t hardcore shump followers.

Programs

Launched

February 18, 2026

ESRB

Everybody 10+ / Fantasy Violence, Gentle Language

Developer(s)

Bikkuri Software program

Writer(s)

Henteko Doujin, Sanuk Inc.

Multiplayer

Native Co-Op

Execs & Cons

• Unbelievable stage design
• Tons of ship configurations
• Traditional shmup gameplay

• Arguably not sufficient meat on the bone
• Issue feels both too straightforward or too arduous

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