Final Exerion

Normally, I would give this game a 7.5/10 or maybe an 8/10. It's well made and brings back memories. However, I cannot simply ignore the fact that there is a serious flaw concerning the leaderboards, which just refuse to function and download any scores, on my end. I tested this on 2 PCs, running Win10 and Win11. I even re-installed Windows on one of those, just to make sure. I'm seeing reports that the leaderboards may function on other PCs, in other regions (mine is EU:GR), but not without problems (scores not uploading sometimes, flickering, not being able to navigate LBs with gamepad etc). Moreover, there is zero developer / publisher support or even presence in the forums, where this was also reported. Another (less serious) issue, is the lack of keyboard support, so be prepared and get yourself a gamepad before trying this game. This is it then, I'm posting a negative review, but also hoping that all this might change sometime soon, consequently making me change this into a positive one.

I really like this game as i loved the original arcade version years back. The game is super addictive and fun and the graphics and music are right up my street. The game isn't janky in the traditional sense but is intentionally so and thus it's own deliberate, and here well thought out, system Compensating for the inertia by defensive and /or attacking strats is very rewarding. A solid recommend Edit: The more time I spend with this game the more I realise how awesome and well thought out it is.It's even made by a former Cave employee.What more can you want?!

Be warned it is very different, but it has style and does its weird thing pretty well. I say take a chance on it regardless of being a traditional SHUMP fanatic (like myself) or not.

Final Exerion is one of the most unique shmups I've played in a while! It's an updated version of the 1983 Kawa Denshi Giken shmup published by Jaleco. This new version by Happymeal retains the idiosyncracies of the original but with a SFC overhaul. Pretty out there. The ship feels unusually weighty for a shmup, but the game gives you boosters to gain an extre degree of control. You get Cell power ups by requesting a support screen nuke that has like a 6 second delay, these you get by replenishing your Cell meter. It's quite the interesting system and I don't recall any shmup doing anything remotely similar. Design-wise I believe this is a really good mix of single screen pre-Xevius 80s shmups with more "modern" capabilities. The standout are the bosses, which are pretty damn fun. It's doesn't have the most intricate Cave style overlapping ahh bullet patterns, it's like a couple of notches above Galaga 88' in terms of complexity, but I don't think it would've worked with more complex stuff since a lot of the fun comes from working around your ship's limitations. The target audience is shmup/arcade connoisseurs that can appreciate an early 80s throwback and aren't allergic to non…

Final Exerion, developed by Happymeal Inc. and published by CITY CONNECTION, is a modern reimagining of the 1983 arcade classic Exerion. Rather than simply remaster the original, the developers have opted to build a fresh title from the ground up, preserving the core mechanics and spirit of the original while integrating new gameplay systems, improved visuals, and a light narrative. What results is a shooter that straddles the line between nostalgic homage and contemporary update—one that will likely appeal most to fans of old-school arcade shooters but may not fully satisfy those expecting the speed and depth of modern genre entries. Set in the distant future, the game imagines a world under siege from a bizarre threat known as “Gene Beasts”—genetically engineered creatures that threaten human civilization. Players take control of the "Ex Fighter," a sleek battle craft developed using forgotten technologies excavated from ancient ruins. The sci-fi setting is typical of the genre, but the game adds flavor by including an in-universe manga drawn by U-Watari, which helps expand the worldbuilding and gives it a more distinct identity. It’s a small touch, but one that adds character a…