Ex-Zodiac

Ex-Zodiac is a fast-paced, low-poly 3D rail shooter developed by MNKY and published by Pixeljam Games, Inc. Released in July 2022, the game captures the nostalgic feel of early 90s classics like Star Fox, offering a retro experience for fans of the genre. Players control Kyuu, a skilled pilot tasked with liberating the Sanzaru Star System from the intergalactic terrorist organization Zodiac. The game features vibrant, low-poly graphics, a synthwave-inspired soundtrack, and responsive controls, providing an immersive and challenging experience.

Ex-Zodiac: Review

Introduction

In an era dominated by open-world epics and cinematic storytelling, Ex-Zodiac emerges as a defiant love letter to the arcade shooters of the 1990s. Developed by solo creator Ben Hickling (MNKY) and published by Pixeljam, this low-poly 3D rail shooter channels the spirit of Star Fox with a modern polish, offering a tightly crafted experience that balances nostalgia with precision gameplay. This review argues that Ex-Zodiac succeeds as both a passionate homage and a revitalization of a near-extinct genre, though its adherence to retro simplicity may limit its appeal for players seeking depth beyond its neon-drenched action.

---

Development History & Context

A Solo Vision with Retro Ambitions

Ex-Zodiac is the brainchild of Ben Hickling, a developer whose reverence for Nintendo’s Star Fox series is evident in every pixel. Beginning development in 2018, the project was crowdfunded via Kickstarter in 2020, raising over $25,000 to bring its vision to life. Hickling’s goal was clear: recreate the “FX chip” aesthetic of early-90s 3D games while refining their notoriously clunky controls. Built in the Godot engine, the game leverages modern tools to replicate the limitations of the Super Nintendo era, from jagged polygons to Gouraud shading, but with buttery-smooth performance.

A Genre Reborn

At its 2022 launch, Ex-Zodiac entered a niche landscape. The rail shooter genre had languished since the 2000s, with franchises like Panzer Dragoon and Star Fox relegated to remasters or abandoned entirely. Hickling seized this void, crafting a game that felt both familiar and fresh—a “Star Fox successor in everything but name,” as critics noted. The decision to debut in Early Access allowed Hickling to iterate based on fan feedback, gradually expanding from six to twelve planned levels.

---

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

A Simple Rebellion

The plot mirrors the minimalism of its inspirations: Kyuu, a monkey-like pilot and former member of the Zodiac terrorist group, wages a one-woman war to liberate the Sanzaru Star System. Dialogue is sparse, delivered via text boxes and stylized character portraits reminiscent of Star Fox 64. The Zodiac’s leaders—each themed after a zodiac sign—taunt Kyuu in boss battles, but their personalities are thinly sketched. Narrative exists solely to contextualize the spectacle, a deliberate choice that prioritizes gameplay over storytelling.

Themes of Nostalgia and Isolation

Beneath its flashy surface, Ex-Zodiac subtly explores isolation. Unlike Star Fox, which emphasized camaraderie through its wingman system, Kyuu fights alone—a metaphor for the genre’s modern obscurity. The game’s refusal to modernize its storytelling risks feeling archaic, but for fans, this simplicity is a feature, not a bug.

---

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Loop: Precision and Panic

Ex-Zodiac’s gameplay is a masterclass in retro-escalation. Players pilot Kyuu’s ship through fixed-path levels, blasting enemies, dodging obstacles, and battling screen-filling bosses. The controls strike a delicate balance: analogue sticks offer fluid movement, while a lock-on missile system (tap to shoot lasers, hold to target multiple enemies) adds tactical depth. The inclusion of barrel rolls and energy shields modernizes the formula, forgiving newcomers without diluting the challenge.

Innovations and Flaws

The game introduces clever twists, such as bonus jetpack segments that shift perspective to a third-person shooter. However, its linear structure lacks Star Fox 64’s branching paths, reducing replayability. The scoring system (ranked from D to S) encourages perfectionists, but limited enemy variety and repetitive levels in the Early Access build drew criticism.

---

World-Building, Art & Sound

Aesthetic Time Capsule

Ex-Zodiac’s visual identity is its boldest statement. Low-poly models, flat textures, and vibrant neon hues evoke the Sega Saturn era, while modern lighting and 60 FPS performance eliminate the slowdown of its predecessors. Each level—from Egyptian deserts to lava-filled caverns—bursts with chromatic personality, though environmental detail is sparse by design.

Synthwave Soul

The soundtrack by +TEK fuses 16-bit FM synthesis with pulsating synthwave, amplifying the game’s retro-futuristic vibe. Sound effects, from laser bursts to explosion crunches, are deliberately crunchy, echoing the SNES’s soundchip limitations. This auditory cohesion elevates Ex-Zodiac beyond mere imitation into a sensory love letter.

---

Reception & Legacy

Critical Acclaim with Reservations

Upon release, Ex-Zodiac earned 90% on MobyGames and “Very Positive” Steam reviews (94% of 840 ratings). Critics praised its responsive controls and “perfect execution of nostalgia” (The Beta Network), while noting its Early Access limitations. The lack of multiplayer and linear level design were common critiques, yet many agreed it was the “Star Fox spiritual successor we needed” (Boss Rush Network).

Influence and Future

Though not a commercial blockbuster, Ex-Zodiac reinvigorated interest in rail shooters, inspiring indie devs to revisit the genre. Its success proved that retro aesthetics could coexist with modern design sensibilities—a lesson embraced by subsequent titles like Whisker Squadron.

---

Conclusion

Ex-Zodiac is a triumph of focused design, marrying the reckless energy of 90s arcade shooters with the precision of contemporary game-making. While its narrative thinness and linearity may deter players seeking innovation, it stands as one of the finest homages to a bygone era—a proof that some genres never truly die, only wait for the right pilot to reignite them. For fans of Star Fox, or anyone craving a burst of pure, uncomplicated fun, Ex-Zodiac is an essential flight.

Final Verdict: A kinetic, lovingly crafted revival that soars on its retro ambitions, even if it doesn’t rewrite the playbook. 8.5/10.