Is ZPF Good? My Honest Xbox Review of the New Retro SHMUP

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If you grew up with a Sega Genesis controller glued to your hands, the name “ZPF” probably sounds like some forgotten 1992 arcade cabinet your cool older cousin told you about. In reality, ZPF is a brand-new release from Mega Cat Studios, and after spending time dodging screen-filling laser beams and banging my head against some seriously tough bosses, I’ve got some thoughts.

A Love Letter to the 16-Bit Era

The first thing that hits you about ZPF is the presentation. This isn’t just “retro-style”; it’s a full-on immersion into the golden age of horizontal shooters (SHMUPs). It feels like a spiritual successor to classics like Thunder Force IV or Lords of Thunder. The pixel art is absolutely gorgeous—saturated colors, detailed sprites, and that specific “grit” that only 16-bit hardware could deliver.

The soundtrack is another highlight. It’s got that punchy, FM-synth vibe that makes you want to crank the volume up. Every explosion and power-up sound feels authentic to the era.

Choose Your Pilot

One of the coolest features of ZPF is that it doesn’t just give you one ship; it gives you three distinct characters, and they actually change how you play:

  • Knight: The balanced all-rounder. Great if you’re just starting out and need a reliable spread of fire.
  • Gladius: My personal favorite. It’s built for aggressive players who aren’t afraid to get close for melee attacks.
  • Gold: For the precision junkies. It requires careful positioning but rewards you with massive damage if you can stay calm under pressure.

The “Hardcore” Reality Check

Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the difficulty. ZPF is hard. Not “challenging,” but “I might actually throw my controller” hard. It’s a pure arcade experience, meaning it expects you to die, memorize patterns, and die again.

There is a shop where you can buy upgrades and buffs between stages, which helps, but don’t expect a walk in the park. One minor gripe: the screen can get very busy. Between the detailed backgrounds and the dozens of projectiles, I occasionally lost track of my ship and met a quick, fiery end.

The Quirks

Since this is a “human” review, I have to mention the UI. It’s… a little weird. For some reason, you have to use the Start button to navigate menus instead of the standard “A” button, and the font in some of the sub-menus is tiny. It’s clear this is an emulation of a game meant for old-school hardware, and while it adds to the “authentic” feel, it can be a bit of a friction point on a modern Xbox Series X.

Final Verdict

At its core, ZPF is a $10 masterclass in nostalgia. It’s a beautifully crafted, uncompromising shooter that knows exactly who its audience is.

Play it if: You love the Sega Genesis era, you crave a high-score challenge, and you don’t mind a game that kicks your teeth in for the first hour.

Skip it if: You prefer modern “bullet-lite” games or get frustrated by “Game Over” screens that send you back to the beginning.

Overall, it’s a fantastic addition to the Xbox library for SHMUP fans. Just maybe keep a stress ball nearby.

My Score: 7.5 / 10 — Beautiful, brutal, and brilliantly retro.

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