This is a review of build 0.6.23. As of this writing, Ex-Zodiac is still in early access.
Played the demo to this back in 2020, and while it certainly left an impression, I hadn't checked in on Ex-Zodiac in a while. A lot of progress has been made since then. While that first demo's two levels made for an excellent proof of concept, the 0.6.23 build actually looks like it could be a full fledged game in its own right, albeit a relatively short one at only six stages. Still, the level of production is absolutely crazy, and one glance at Ex-Zodiac will tell you that developer Ben Hickling not only has a deep reverence for classic on rails shooters (the Star Fox inspiration is worn with pride), but totally understands what makes them appealing.
Only one problem: I don't buy early access games. I want to support indie devs, but I also have a really hard time finding the motivation to play a game that is mid-way through development, it just doesn't interest me. So despite the temptation to drop ten bucks and grab Ex-Zodiac in this half-complete state (the final game will have 12 levels), I've largely satiated myself by listening to +TEK's incredible soundtrack, which itself is every bit a love letter to Konami's early 90s soundscape as Ex-Zodiac's gamplay is to Star Fox and Panzer Dragoon. However, the uncontrollable urge to just cough up some cash and play this game proved to be too much, and I'm here to tell you that Ex-Zodiac's current build lived up to my expectations in every regard.
Controls are highly responsive, and I never felt like I was hit with a cheap shot once during the course of the game. The difficulty balancing also feels finely tuned, with the challenge of each level increasing juuust the right amount. You have a limited number of tools in your arsenal, and they'll be familiar to anyone who has payed this kind of game: a standard laser which deals the most damage but requires manual aiming, a weaker homing shot that locks on by holding the fire button, a limited number of missiles to do AOE damage when things get chaotic, and a barrel roll for deflecting and dodging enemy fire. This small toolkit doesn't allow for a lot of experimentation, opting instead to keep things simple and arcadey, but Ex-Zodiac does such a great job at presenting the player with fun set pieces and obstacles that you'll never feel like you want more.
The game has a very modern-retro aesthetic, with brightly colored geometric shapes, simplistic models, and a whole lot of dithering, which of course doesn't read the way it ought to given the fact you'll be playing this on a modern display. It's still a good look, though, and if you really want to, you can turn the dithering off. The character designs are incredibly charming and the sprite art is excellent, and as I've mentioned before, the soundtrack is phenomenal. Every part of this games aesthetics appeals to me. You can even unlock bonus stages that are just straight up Space Harrier. I don't think I can ask for more than that.
If you want to play as a monkey girl who shoots cops, you should buy Ex-Zodiac. If you want to play an on-rails shooter with an extremely Konami soundtrack, you should buy Ex-Zodiac. If you want George (that's me) to play a full, finalized release of Ex-Zodiac, then you should buy Ex-Zodiac. Ten dollars is a good deal for this. I don't want to rate a game that's in early access, because the content and quality is subject to change, but the 0.6.23 build is a straight 5/5 from me.
Played the demo to this back in 2020, and while it certainly left an impression, I hadn't checked in on Ex-Zodiac in a while. A lot of progress has been made since then. While that first demo's two levels made for an excellent proof of concept, the 0.6.23 build actually looks like it could be a full fledged game in its own right, albeit a relatively short one at only six stages. Still, the level of production is absolutely crazy, and one glance at Ex-Zodiac will tell you that developer Ben Hickling not only has a deep reverence for classic on rails shooters (the Star Fox inspiration is worn with pride), but totally understands what makes them appealing.
Only one problem: I don't buy early access games. I want to support indie devs, but I also have a really hard time finding the motivation to play a game that is mid-way through development, it just doesn't interest me. So despite the temptation to drop ten bucks and grab Ex-Zodiac in this half-complete state (the final game will have 12 levels), I've largely satiated myself by listening to +TEK's incredible soundtrack, which itself is every bit a love letter to Konami's early 90s soundscape as Ex-Zodiac's gamplay is to Star Fox and Panzer Dragoon. However, the uncontrollable urge to just cough up some cash and play this game proved to be too much, and I'm here to tell you that Ex-Zodiac's current build lived up to my expectations in every regard.
Controls are highly responsive, and I never felt like I was hit with a cheap shot once during the course of the game. The difficulty balancing also feels finely tuned, with the challenge of each level increasing juuust the right amount. You have a limited number of tools in your arsenal, and they'll be familiar to anyone who has payed this kind of game: a standard laser which deals the most damage but requires manual aiming, a weaker homing shot that locks on by holding the fire button, a limited number of missiles to do AOE damage when things get chaotic, and a barrel roll for deflecting and dodging enemy fire. This small toolkit doesn't allow for a lot of experimentation, opting instead to keep things simple and arcadey, but Ex-Zodiac does such a great job at presenting the player with fun set pieces and obstacles that you'll never feel like you want more.
The game has a very modern-retro aesthetic, with brightly colored geometric shapes, simplistic models, and a whole lot of dithering, which of course doesn't read the way it ought to given the fact you'll be playing this on a modern display. It's still a good look, though, and if you really want to, you can turn the dithering off. The character designs are incredibly charming and the sprite art is excellent, and as I've mentioned before, the soundtrack is phenomenal. Every part of this games aesthetics appeals to me. You can even unlock bonus stages that are just straight up Space Harrier. I don't think I can ask for more than that.
If you want to play as a monkey girl who shoots cops, you should buy Ex-Zodiac. If you want to play an on-rails shooter with an extremely Konami soundtrack, you should buy Ex-Zodiac. If you want George (that's me) to play a full, finalized release of Ex-Zodiac, then you should buy Ex-Zodiac. Ten dollars is a good deal for this. I don't want to rate a game that's in early access, because the content and quality is subject to change, but the 0.6.23 build is a straight 5/5 from me.
8 Comments
When I first read the title, I somehow processed it as E-X-Zodiac and I'm still trying to untrain myself.
I remember buying this on sale thinking it was finished and somehow evaded my notice despite backing it many moons ago, but it's still ongoing! I have it, but I don't wanna play it yet because it's not finished! Pain and suffering, and I might not even play it in general since it's sitting alongside my steam backlog in the bowels of my account now, where I may not even see it anymore.
@Vee - You should just play it. When I played it in 2020 there was only two levels done (they're a bit more fleshed out now), with only six completed, I doubt the game is going to be finished anytime soon. By the time it is, you'll probably have put enough space between your first playthrough and the finished game that'll feel fresh again.
That's how I talked myself into it, at least. Plus it only takes about 40-60 minutes to beat.
That's how I talked myself into it, at least. Plus it only takes about 40-60 minutes to beat.
I'll install it and add it to a favorites folder so it can potentially whack me upside the head whenever I'm sitting bored at the PC while nothing is happening overnight in my discord disco parties.
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As someone that hasn't even played the games this one is based on or even being interested in them, with only a quick look I already LOVE how this game looks and sounds.
Thank you so much for making me discover this, this is going to my wishlist right now.
Thank you so much for making me discover this, this is going to my wishlist right now.
@DemonAndGames - One of the rare times I've seen a game in early access and thought "god I want more people to play this" despite knowing it's still incomplete.
My personal experiences with early accesos have not been the best, but this one really looks amazing already, and I imagine when it reaches 1.0 it's gonna gonna go far and beyond than what already is, so I'm really excited for that.
PasokonDeacon
1 year ago