In every single way, shape, and form, this game is amazing. Ten years in development to create a genuine masterpiece.
Do NOT read further unless you've beaten ZeroRanger yourself.
As a shoot 'em up, it's got every core value you could ask for: it's satisfying, and almost addicting to shoot down enemies in various situations, whilst trying to keep that multiplier up for an ever increasing score. Different ships and weapon choices allow for a lot of customization. Stages never overstay their welcome, keeping you engaged all throughout, mixing it up often. Bosses are fast-paced fights with varied patterns as well.
Like any good shmup, ZeroRanger has a phenomenal OST too. There isn't a single song in the entire OST that I didn't like. Was it Greenish?, The Sea has Returned, Despair, Bossay, 4th Gear, Final B'ex, Sky XXX Days, Despair, Unstopping, and Descent At Last are among my favorites. And the game looks great too. Who knew a game composed solely of various shades of green and orange could look so good.
But it doesn't end there.
Once you get the sword/drill power-up, the game releases its COOL limiters, and it just gets progressively more and more insane from there, culminating in a face-off against a computer that sends you across the fucking space-time continuum for the remixed 2nd loop. Every boss reveal, every remixed track, and every new music track just gets crazier and crazier. All culminating in the Radiant Silvergun-esque finale, with the orgasmic Sacred Defender playing, and the fate of the world (and your entire fucking save file) on the line. And believe me. It's a lot of pressure. But this whole game is a once in a lifetime experience. Even though I lost my save file THREE TIMES on the path to enlightenment, it felt amazing. Playing through the entire game every time, building up continues, just to give the TLB another try, I've never felt anything like it.
And then on my fourth try, I finally did it. And what did I get? An alternate timeline without Green Orange, AND without the entire color green. So you go on one last ride, to defeat the Great Oppressor. And this time, your mission is successful.
God, what a truly fantastic game. I have never, and most likely will never, play a game quite like this.
Do NOT read further unless you've beaten ZeroRanger yourself.
As a shoot 'em up, it's got every core value you could ask for: it's satisfying, and almost addicting to shoot down enemies in various situations, whilst trying to keep that multiplier up for an ever increasing score. Different ships and weapon choices allow for a lot of customization. Stages never overstay their welcome, keeping you engaged all throughout, mixing it up often. Bosses are fast-paced fights with varied patterns as well.
Like any good shmup, ZeroRanger has a phenomenal OST too. There isn't a single song in the entire OST that I didn't like. Was it Greenish?, The Sea has Returned, Despair, Bossay, 4th Gear, Final B'ex, Sky XXX Days, Despair, Unstopping, and Descent At Last are among my favorites. And the game looks great too. Who knew a game composed solely of various shades of green and orange could look so good.
But it doesn't end there.
Once you get the sword/drill power-up, the game releases its COOL limiters, and it just gets progressively more and more insane from there, culminating in a face-off against a computer that sends you across the fucking space-time continuum for the remixed 2nd loop. Every boss reveal, every remixed track, and every new music track just gets crazier and crazier. All culminating in the Radiant Silvergun-esque finale, with the orgasmic Sacred Defender playing, and the fate of the world (and your entire fucking save file) on the line. And believe me. It's a lot of pressure. But this whole game is a once in a lifetime experience. Even though I lost my save file THREE TIMES on the path to enlightenment, it felt amazing. Playing through the entire game every time, building up continues, just to give the TLB another try, I've never felt anything like it.
And then on my fourth try, I finally did it. And what did I get? An alternate timeline without Green Orange, AND without the entire color green. So you go on one last ride, to defeat the Great Oppressor. And this time, your mission is successful.
God, what a truly fantastic game. I have never, and most likely will never, play a game quite like this.