Earthion review

Earthion is a celebratory return to the golden era of 16-bit shoot ’em ups, spearheaded by legendary composer Yuzo Koshiro’s studio, Ancient Corporation. Within moments, the game dazzles with detailed pixel art and a pulsating chiptune soundtrack that rivals Koshiro’s earlier works.

Earthion was developed natively for the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive, and a cartridge for the beloved 16-bit console will be arriving early in 2026. On modern systems, Ancient revives Ninties traditions, with eight wonderfully chaotic stages filled with enemies, projectiles, and plenty of parallax layers.

Keeping Up with the Classics

Naturally, comparisons with classics like Gradius and Thunder Force are inevitable. The good news is that Earthion largely holds its own among these STG masterworks. Much like Technosoft’s Thunder Force, you can freely swap between multiple sub-weapons, which adds a bit of tactical depth to the intense action. Since you lose your current gun if your ship is destroyed, there’s the tension between harnessing and hoarding your favorite weapon.

Earthion’s relentless pace and difficulty evoke the temperament of genre-defining shooters. As such, expect engaging level design that flaunts a bit of variety. Masterfully, the game doesn’t feel like a patchwork of arbitrary ideas. There’s a cohesiveness across the campaign. But there’s also a refreshing variety as you soar through open skies or trace the topography of an alien landscape. And unlike many wannabe retro shooters that attempt to mimic formula, Earthion absolutely nails the feel and rhythm of the bygone era.

Crystals, Choices, and Customization

However, the game’s weapon system injects a bit of contemporary innovation. You’ll collect Solrium crystals to power up your main and sub-weapons, and your ship can accommodate several sub-weapons simultaneously. But when your inventory is full, picking up a new sub-weapon will swap it with the current one.

Additionally, completing a stage with an Adaptation Pod allows for various upgrades. These range from additional sub-weapon slots, better shields, an extra life, or even brawnier firepower. Satisfyingly, this risk-reward system rivals the kind of upgrades found in modern shoot ‘em ups. As a replayed the campaign, experimenting to find the most efficient loadout offered a bit of fulfilment.

Merciful, but Certainly Not Mild

Meanwhile, Earthion’s difficulty is relatively merciful. The game offers a shielding system, so you’re not destroyed by a single hit, making the title more forgiving than classics like R-Type or Gradius. That said, the challenge ramps up quickly, especially on game’s top two (of four) difficulty settings.

Enemy projectiles and obstacles come ratchet up in velocity past the second stage, and the game’s rating system adds a layer of competitive replayability. With multiple difficulty levels, a challenge mode, score attack, and even EXA LABEL mode, Earthion was built for both newcomers and highly skilled veterans.

Retro Roots, Modern Mastery

In comparison to other classic shooters, Earthion’s presentation is top-tier, but it’s not without its quirks. The abundance of visual effects, especially on later stages, can sometimes hinder visibility, making it easy to lose track of enemy fire and obstacles. Sure, that’s a common issue for the genre, but here it’s exacerbated by being built for Genesis/Mega Drive hardware. Still, this is a negligeable blemish given the game’s overall polish, responsive controls, and the technical feat of squeezing so much spectacle onto an experience that can be enjoyed on classic consoles and modern platforms.

Undoubtedly, Earthion is a bold new entry in the shoot ’em up pantheon. The title captures the relentless action and inventive weapon systems of 16-bit era while adding modern touches, such as customization options and online leaderboards. Expectedly, Koshiro’s soundtrack is an instant classic, likely keeping feet moving as feverishly as fingers. As a prime example of how modern retro can be more than just hollow nostalgia, Earthion is absolutely worth playing.

Earthion was played on PC with review code provided by the publisher.