Hey, kids, remember the StarFox franchise? Once upon a time, it was a can’t-miss franchise for Nintendo. From its glorious SNES debut to more current GameCube adventures, it definitely hit different. Then came StarFox Zero which…well, definitely left some mixed feelings on the Wii U. But the spirit was there. And, sadly, outside of the overlooked (but awesome) Starlink: Battle for Atlas on Nintendo Switch, we haven’t seen much of Fox and the gang. But his spirit lives on over on Steam, thanks to MNKY’s insanely good Ex-Zodiac.
A game that matches the pure spirit of the classic StarFox adventure (with some Space Harrier thrown in), Ex-Zodiac keeps it simple. You have the job of saving the galaxy, using your weapons and flying savvy to get the job done. And each stage becomes more challenging than the last, with locations ranging from deep space to imaginative planet surfaces.
The fact that MNKY went with a 16-bit approach truly works in Ex-Zodiac’s favor. It’s a complete blast to look at, and the retro style tunes are a delight. Plus the game, as short as it is, packs lots of entertaining gameplay, akin to the titles that inspired it. It might be a little challenging for some – and you’ll need a controller to get the most out of it – but it’s worth it. Plus it’s reasonably priced at just over $10.
It may not have the long-term value of, say, even the likes of StarFox Zero. But Ex-Zodiac is still inspired stuff, reminding us of the great games of old. Besides, it’s very highly unlikely we’ll see an official 16-bit StarFox port for Steam, so this’ll happily fill the void.
Take To the Skies With Ex-Zodiac!
Most of the stages within Ex-Zodiac follow the StarFox pattern. You’re flying through complex stages, shooting at enemies and avoiding incoming fire. You also have lock-on capabilities, straight out of 16-bit school, so you can hit multiple foes at once. Oh, yeah, you can watch out for teammates as well. They may not have the annoyance level of Slippy (“Get back here!”), but they’ll fit the bill.
I was really surprised how well Ex-Zodiac plays. The controls are extremely precise throughout, so if you make a mistake, it’s actually on you. Plus the challenge level is wonderfully balanced. Not too difficult, but also hardly a walk in the park.
On top of the flying stages, there are also some inspired Space Harrier moments where you’ll grab a cannon and do the job yourself. These guys are clearly Sega fans and it absolutely shows in these short but sweet segments.
In fact, the entirety of Ex-Zodiac could likely be beaten in one sitting, just like 16-bit games of old. That’s the big drawback to the game, but, honestly, it’s just fun to return time and time again. And for a price that’s barely over $10 to boot. (In fact, we think the game is on sale right now.)
Ex-Zodiac Brings the Old-School Juice
As “simply designed” as Ex-Zodiac is, it’s wonderfully inspired. The frame rate is zippy throughout, and the attention to detail is staggering. From flying through tunnels on a tank-like vehicle to jetting into the further reaches of space, it definitely holds up with its 16-bit best. It also has easy-to-use menus, so you can get right into where you want to go. No complaints here in the looks department. It even runs nicely on Steam Deck!
As for the music, it’s excellent. Made by +TEK, it combines FM and wavetable synthesis to startling effect. The end result will have you bopping along, complete with the sweet sound effects in each stage. There’s even gibberish from the in-game characters, like a certain bunch of co-pilots we know.
Believe In the Power of Zodiac
What else can I say? Ex-Zodiac floored me in every department. It’s definitely on the short side, but that’s perfect for people looking for a quick arcade jaunt. It plays beautifully, and packs the kind of presentation that reminds you of classic 16-bit ventures.
I do hope that MNKY gets to the point of putting this on consoles, though. I think Ex-Zodiac would definitely have room to fly higher – especially on Nintendo Switch 2. As it stands, though, Steam users will have a field day. Hell, maybe even a field week. Ex-Zodiac will have no trouble out-Foxing your expectations.
GAMERHUB RATING: 4.5 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to MNKY for the review code! You can get the game on Steam/PC now!
Hey, kids, remember the StarFox franchise? Once upon a time, it was a can’t-miss franchise for Nintendo. From its glorious SNES debut to more current GameCube adventures, it definitely hit different. Then came StarFox Zero which…well, definitely left some mixed feelings on the Wii U. But the spirit was there. And, sadly, outside of the overlooked (but awesome) Starlink: Battle for Atlas on Nintendo Switch, we haven’t seen much of Fox and the gang. But his spirit lives on over on Steam, thanks to MNKY’s insanely good Ex-Zodiac.
A game that matches the pure spirit of the classic StarFox adventure (with some Space Harrier thrown in), Ex-Zodiac keeps it simple. You’re tasked with saving the galaxy, using your weapons and flying savvy to get the job done. And each stage becomes more challenging than the last, with locations ranging from deep space to imaginative planet surfaces.
The fact that MNKY went with a 16-bit approach truly works in Ex-Zodiac’s favor. It’s a complete blast to look at, and the retro style tunes are a delight. Plus the game, as short as it is, packs lots of entertaining gameplay, akin to the titles that inspired it. It might be a little challenging for some – and you’ll need a controller to get the most out of it – but it’s worth it. Plus it’s reasonably priced at just over $10.
It may not have the long-term value of, say, even the likes of StarFox Zero. But Ex-Zodiac is still inspired stuff, reminding us of the great games of old. Besides, it’s very highly unlikely we’ll see an official 16-bit StarFox port for Steam, so this’ll happily fill the void.
Take To the Skies With Ex-Zodiac!
Most of the stages within Ex-Zodiac follow the StarFox pattern. You’re flying through complex stages, shooting at enemies and avoiding incoming fire. You also have lock-on capabilities, straight out of 16-bit school, so you can hit multiple foes at once. Oh, yeah, you can watch out for teammates as well. They may not have the annoyance level of Slippy (“Get back here!”), but they’ll fit the bill.
I was really surprised how well Ex-Zodiac plays. The controls are extremely precise throughout, so if you make a mistake, it’s actually on you. Plus the challenge level is wonderfully balanced. Not too difficult, but also hardly a walk in the park.
On top of the flying stages, there are also some inspired Space Harrier moments where you’ll grab a cannon and do the job yourself. These guys are clearly Sega fans and it absolutely shows in these short but sweet segments.
In fact, what’s here in Ex-Zodiac could likely be beaten in one sitting, just like 16-bit games of old. (Keep in mind that more content is being added for the final release, so be patient.) But so far, so good, and you’re inspired enough to dig in with both claws. Time to get Fox-y!
Ex-Zodiac Brings the Old-School Juice
As “simply designed” as Ex-Zodiac is, it’s wonderfully inspired. The frame rate is zippy throughout, and the attention to detail is staggering. From flying through tunnels on a tank-like vehicle to jetting into the further reaches of space, it definitely holds up with its 16-bit best. It also has easy-to-use menus, so you can get right into where you want to go. No complaints here in the looks department. It even runs nicely on Steam Deck!
As for the music, it’s excellent. Made by +TEK, it combines FM and wavetable synthesis to startling effect. The end result will have you bopping along, complete with the sweet sound effects in each stage. There’s even gibberish from the in-game characters, like a certain bunch of co-pilots we know.
Believe In the Power of Zodiac
What else can I say? Ex-Zodiac floored me in every department. It’s definitely on the short side (with a possibility of extension with new content, stay tuned), but that’s perfect for people looking for a quick arcade jaunt. It plays beautifully, and packs the kind of presentation that reminds you of classic 16-bit ventures.
I do hope that MNKY gets to the point of putting this on consoles, though. I think Ex-Zodiac would definitely have room to fly higher – especially on Nintendo Switch 2. As it stands, though, Steam users will have a field day. Hell, maybe even a field week. Ex-Zodiac will have no trouble out-Foxing your expectations.
Thanks to MNKY for the review code! You can get the game on Steam/PC now!
Want more shoot-em-up goodness? Check out our review of Under Defeat!
