Out Zone Review: An Unexpected Delight
When I sat down to check out the four Toaplan shooters being released by Bitwave Games today, I went in thinking Truxton would likely be my favorite of the bunch. I’d played it before and found it to be a fun shooter, even if it doesn’t do anything truly exceptionally. Upon checking out all four titles, though, I quickly found that wasn’t the case. While Truxton is still a lot of fun, Out Zone blows it away as a fantastic run-and-gun shooter in a style we don’t see much anymore.
Keep Moving Forward
Like in most Toaplan games of the era, you have a limited number of weapons to use here, but Out Zone may push that a bit further than most of their releases. You only have two main weapons to use and upgrade. You have a standard shot that can be fired in all directions, as well as a more powerful attack that can only be fired forward. You’ll regularly have the opportunity to change between them while running through the surprisingly long levels here, which is good because enemies often come at you from all directions, so being stuck with only an attack that faces forward would be a problem. You’ll have to manage your weapon regularly and make use of a few rare special weapons, like a flamethrower, to make your way through Out Zone’s surprisingly complex stages.
While you’re always running forward, what you’re running past changes regularly. Sure, there are some basic, open areas, but there are others that are more like mazes where you have to dodge obstacles and avoid cliffs which will see you fall to your death. The level design is interesting and makes you really think. There are times when using cover and methodically taking out foes is the way to go, but you can’t allow yourself to move too slowly. You have an energy meter that is constantly dropping. When it empties, you’ll quickly run out of steam and die. This sort of mechanic isn’t always my favorite, but it works for Out Zone. It encourages players to play aggressively and constantly be pushing forward. While you can use cover and the environment at times, you really need to pick your spots. You’ll find energy regularly, so once you get the pace of the game down, you’ll rarely be in danger of running out, but it is something you have to monitor.
Surprisingly Creative
There’s a surprising amount of creativity in Out Zone, considering so many of these other Toaplan games are, at best, well-executed takes on familiar genres. Boss fights are incredibly challenging but challenge you to approach situations in a variety of ways and will take players time to master. They’re a place where players not looking to master the title will be glad for the various quality-of-life options Bitwave has implemented, such as the rewind feature. Playing with a friend will also help with some of the more difficult sections of the game.
Even the look of Out Zone stands out. Filled with color and an edgy cyberpunk look, it’s easy on the eyes even today. I love the boss designs, and even regular enemies look more interesting than in most similar games. The soundtrack isn’t anything truly memorable, but it has a great techno beat to it that will keep players engaged.
Conclusion
Out Zone is the sort of game that makes me love modern rereleases. A game stuck in arcades for decades, I had no expectations going in and found myself not wanting to put down my controller. Out Zone features fast-paced arcade action that players can jump right into but which will take a ton of practice to master. If you love classic games like Ikari Warriors or Commando, Out Zone is the game they wanted to be. Absolutely check it out.
Final Verdict: 4/5
Available on: PC (Reviewed); Publisher: Bitwave Games; Developer: Bitwave Games, Toaplan; Players: 1; Released: February 14th, 2023; ESRB: TBA; MSRP: $7.99
Full disclosure: This review is based on a copy of Out Zone provided by the publisher.
