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ZPF

ZPF Game Cover
48%Game Brain Score
Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, music
Most mentioned negative aspects:story, character development
72% User Score Based on 18 reviews

Platforms

Xbox Series X|SPCXbox OneXboxSteam DeckWindows
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ZPF Game Cover

About ZPF

ZPF is a single player platformer game with fantasy and science fiction themes. It was developed by ZPF Team and was released on April 16, 2026. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Inspired by classic horizontal shooters like Lords of Thunder, Elemental Master, and the Thunderforce series, ZPF is a passion project from the designer and developer of Super XYX and Tänzer. Players will dodge and weave through intense bullet patterns, unleashing a barrage of firepower upon hordes of unique and challenging enemies. Choose your hero - from the teleporting trickster to the laser-…

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Reviews

72%Audience ScoreBased on 18 reviews
gameplay4 positive mentions
  • Highly polished and tight controls with responsive gameplay, allowing precise micro movements and an enjoyable challenge.
  • Impressive and unique pixel art style with vibrant, detailed visuals and a distinct artistic identity that pushes the limits of the Genesis/Mega Drive era.
  • Excellent soundtrack that complements the intense action and enhances the overall atmosphere of the game.
  • Lack of modern quality-of-life features such as save states, continues by default, and persistent saving of high scores and options, leading to frustration.
  • Visual clutter and overwhelming color palettes occasionally reduce clarity of enemy bullets and projectiles, impacting gameplay readability, especially for players with certain types of color blindness.
  • Some gameplay mechanics, including the melee attack and collision detection, feel underdeveloped or awkward, and the absence of online leaderboards and additional gameplay modes reduces replay incentives.

  • gameplay

    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    27% positive mentions, 53% neutral mentions, 20% negative mentions

    The gameplay blends fast-paced, challenging side-scrolling shooter mechanics inspired by classic and euro shmup genres, offering responsive controls and demanding player skill rather than relying on upgrades. While praised for its refined level design, atmosphere, and music, some reviewers highlight frustrating design choices, particularly with underdeveloped mechanics like the melee button, which detract from an otherwise solid experience. Overall, it balances enjoyable action and challenge but includes elements that may hinder player satisfaction.

    • “Inspired by genre classics from the Sega Genesis and Mega Drive era, the game embraces fast gameplay, detailed pixel art, and challenging level design without feeling like a simple imitation.”
    • “The core gameplay revolves around navigating increasingly dangerous stages filled with enemy formations, environmental hazards, and elaborate bullet patterns that demand constant awareness.”
    • “Although the game's challenge remains faithful to traditional arcade design, it rarely feels unfair thanks to its responsive controls and carefully tuned mechanics.”
    • “While the core gameplay is average, there are a number of puzzling design decisions that make this game more of an exercise in frustration.”
    • “One of the game's mechanics, the melee button, is awful to look at and use; it's severely undercooked.”
    • “Though in the past euro shmups were known for their amazing visuals and music yet more often than not suffered from poor game design decisions or downright broken gameplay, things have changed drastically over the years and now usually only the gorgeous visuals and amazing music remain to remind us of these games' euro origins.”

  • music

    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    69% positive mentions, 23% neutral mentions, 8% negative mentions

    The music in this game is widely praised for its energetic, atmospheric, and fitting compositions that enhance the gameplay experience and complement the gorgeous 16-bit visuals. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, describing it as hype-inducing, tightly integrated with the game's vibe, and a significant emotional draw.

    • “The soundtrack complements the action with energetic compositions that heighten the excitement of every encounter, making each stage feel like its own memorable set piece.”
    • “Zpf is a side scrolling shoot ‘em up that is best described as a highly refined euro shmup in terms of atmosphere and music with exceptional gameplay.”
    • “Tight controls, killer pixel art, insane bosses, and that soundtrack goes way harder than it has any right to.”

  • graphics

    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    The graphics feature a unique and exceptionally creative 16-bit art style with a distinctive, atmospheric look that complements the music beautifully. While the visuals are gorgeous and fitting for the era, they can sometimes be overwhelming, causing bullets and enemies to blend into the detailed backgrounds, though players typically adapt over time. Overall, the graphics are praised for their aesthetic appeal and nostalgic feel.

    • “+ exceptionally creative and unique artstyle with its own signature look and feel throughout the entire game”
    • “+ outstanding, atmospheric music that compliments the gorgeous 16bit visuals beautifully”
    • “As mentioned before, the artstyle is perfect for the era of late Sega Genesis shmups compared to the likes of Lords of Thunder.”

  • replayability

    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    The game offers strong replayability through hidden routes, collectibles, and unlockable secrets that encourage thorough exploration. Combined with diverse characters, engaging combat, and memorable boss fights, it provides a compelling arcade experience that rewards repeated play.

    • “The inclusion of hidden routes, collectibles, and unlockable secrets further strengthens the game's replay value, rewarding those willing to thoroughly explore each stage instead of simply racing toward the finish.”
    • “Its beautiful pixel presentation, varied character roster, satisfying combat, memorable boss fights, and strong replayability combine to create an engaging arcade experience that respects the genre's heritage while introducing enough fresh ideas to remain compelling.”

  • atmosphere

    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    The atmosphere of Zpf is highly praised for its exceptional, atmospheric music that perfectly complements the gorgeous 16-bit visuals, creating a refined and immersive euro shoot 'em up experience.

    • “Zpf is a side-scrolling shoot ‘em up that is best described as a highly refined euro shmup in terms of atmosphere and music with exceptional gameplay.”
    • “Outstanding, atmospheric music that complements the gorgeous 16-bit visuals beautifully.”

  • story

    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    0% positive mentions, 100% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    The story integrates a meaningful upgrade system between missions, allowing players to enhance their capabilities while maintaining the game's arcade-style experience. This progression adds depth without detracting from the fast-paced gameplay.

  • character development

    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    0% positive mentions, 100% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    The game emphasizes character development that complements player skill, ensuring progress is driven by mastering mechanics rather than just acquiring better equipment. This balance creates a rewarding experience focused on gameplay proficiency.

  • emotional

    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    Users praise the game for delivering a heartfelt emotional experience that honors retro shoot 'em ups while standing strong as a quality title on its own.

    • “Overall, zpf succeeds as both a heartfelt tribute to retro shoot 'em ups and a quality game in its own right.”
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Game News

Review: ZPF (Switch) - A Unique-Feeling Mega Drive Shooter With Some Switch Issues

April 20 on nintendolife.com

Sumptuous Retro Shmup 'ZPF' Launches On Switch In Just A Few Weeks

March 26 on nintendolife.com
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Frequently Asked Questions

ZPF is a platformer game with fantasy and science fiction themes. Common tags for ZPF include futuristic, indie, 2d, aliens, pixel graphics and others.

ZPF is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, Xbox One, Steam Deck and others.

ZPF was released on April 16, 2026.

ZPF was developed by ZPF Team.

ZPF has received mostly positive reviews from players. Most players liked ZPF for its gameplay but disliked it for its story.

ZPF is a single player game.

Similar games include Earthion, Neon Inferno, Project X: Light Years, Valfaris: Mecha Therion, DRAINUS and others.