FZ: Formation Z

Formation Z was a horizontal shmup with a bit of run 'n gun developed and released by Jaleco for the Japanese arcades in 1984 and Williams as Aeroboto for the USA also in 1984. 1985 saw ports to the MSX (ugly, poorly scrolling) and NES (looks and plays better than the MSX version, but short) and FM-7 (haven't played). It saw some further ports over the years, including being included in Jaleco arcade collections for the PS1 and Gameboy Advance, and apparently this upcoming collection on Steam I didn't know about until now: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4074840/Jaleco_Arcade_Collection_Vol1/ Anyway, that brief history lesson to say that we're talking something of a footnote or cult classic here, however you prefer to look at it. For a game that's not talked about very often, it sure did get a lot of ports and re-releases over the years. Including the Arcade Archives versions, I think we're up to 14 different ports. The store page calls this a remake, but it's definitely not that. A reimagining would be a better description, or really it's more of a sequel that includes a few homages to the original. And like in the original, the main gameplay is horizontal shmup but one that …

A modern remake of the old Jaleco hit. Use your mech and shoot your way through 5 stages of pure retro action, or switch on the fly and fly as plane instead. Higher scoring depends on strategic switches between those and using different weapons. There are also many additions, like secrets, a score attack mode to practice specific stages and an in game shop (factory) where you spend your currency to construct new mechs, weapon modules and cosmetic items. A fun game overall, which would have been better if it hadn't been for the absence of online leaderboards. (8.5/10)

A perfect example on how to revive a long forgotten IP. Fun gameplay, great music, simple clear art directions and very fair difficulty scale. Granzella really nailed it.

Had to refund this as my PC wasn't up to the task. So bought it on xbox. Writing this for visibility purposes. It's awesome fun-if u have a PC that can run it it's a great release. Nice work City Connection!

I admit, I have never played through the original Formation Z before, but this has been a fun romp to playthrough. I still need some more time with this, but what I initially liked about R-Type Final 2 would sort of apply to this game as well. Obviously where this game differs is the gameplay, which I don't usually see within the Shmup genre. You play as a mech that can transform between land and air modes, with the air mode requiring fuel. What other Shmup could you think of that is interspliced with minigame segments, like Metal Black or, to a lesser extent, Cotton? All in all, a fun time, with decent graphics and soundtrack to boot.

I really like the game when it works once in a while on Steam Deck. Please patch the game, City Connection.