Exo-Calibre

Exo-Calibre blends vertical shmup action, anime style and bullet hell design into a solid, fun and very arcade-like experience. Its three pilots, progression system and four unlockable modes give it more lasting appeal than expected without trying to reinvent the genre.

Indie developers should take a good look at Exo-Calibre as it can provide a very helpful lesson: a video game doesn’t always need a high complexity or seemingly endless content to be enjoyable. This shoot ‘em up, which looks, feels and plays as if it came straight from the ‘90s, manages to be one of the finest in the genre. Without introducing a new mechanic, focusing on pleasing a niche hardcore crowd, or having tons of unlockables, Exo-Calibre is simply fun to play - and sometimes that’s all it takes.

There are so many shoot-em ups out there that you couldn’t possibly play them all in a single lifetime. Exo-Calibre is as milquetoast as they come. It’s merely functional and adequate, without any guts to stand out.

Veterans of the genre might find themselves a bit bored with no unique mechanics.

Exo-Calibre is a colourful vertically-scrolling shooter with a neat soundtrack, but it isn't the most interesting to play thanks to bland stages and enemies. Its story dialogue is also likely to annoy. Still, it's a decent effort overall, with multiple additional pilots and modes to unlock.

Exo-Calibre is a visually striking and mechanically solid vertical shmup that pays homage to arcade classics while injecting its own personality. Its variety of modes, character options, and explosive gameplay make it a worthwhile pick for fans of the genre. However, its lack of accessibility features and occasional tedium may limit its appeal to a broader audience. For those seeking a nostalgic, bullet-filled ride with a modern twist, Exo-Calibre is a worthy contender, just be ready for a few bumps along the way.

I had a lovely time with Exo-Calibre and its adorable game world that houses some truly unique and satisfying shoot 'em up gameplay. 💥

Old-school-infused 2D shoot 'em up on PS5

While it isn’t bad for a budget shooter, being stuck sitting through the same cutscenes and other issues chip away at its value proposition