This time the spotlight will be shining on Z-Exemplar, a side-scrolling SHMUP of the old-school kind! Let’s help it escape the cold emptiness of Greenlight limbo, eh?
Z-Exemplar is a side-scrolling shooter in the tradition of R-Type, Gradius, Nemesis and other classic arcade games from the past. Borrowing its aesthetic from the computers of yesteryear (specifically the Sinclair ZX Spectrum) Z-Exemplar combines bright, bold, 8-bit pixel art with frantic action and an epic mission to conquer a galaxy of almost 1000 planets.
Say what you want about how some games are ‘stuck in the past’. Go ahead. Say it. Done? Great. Glance, if for a moment, at how you are actually the conquerer for once, rather than some would-be sci-fi hero. That’s right, and with “almost 1000 planets” to take control of, no less. Personally, I’d be content simply blasting everything that moves, although ruling an entire galaxy might be fun too. Does mean having to leave some alive, however, which I’m not super keen on, as it’d waste the potential of any upgrades acquired along the way (and what is a SHMUP without a ship upgraded bit by bit, after all?). But who knows – maybe there’s a middle ground to be found somewhere, deep within all that colourful 8-bitness? Maybe.
So riddle me this, dear reader: why is Z-Exemplar still struggling to get through Greenlight? It’s not out yet, save for a demo. Even so, how about visiting its Greenlight page and handing over a ‘yes’ if you like what you see? Remember: your vote could make all the difference!