Introduction

Way back in 1993—I was three years old then—a rail-shooter starship game released that changed the gaming world: Star Fox. On the old-school Nintendo, Star Fox—made by famed designer Shigeru Miyamoto—utilized 3D elements in a time where such tech was barely being used in home consoles. It became a legendary franchise with sequels, remakes, and spin-offs that proved just how loved it was.

So in 2025, it’s not shocking to see a developer attempt to recapture that same magic. But with Ex-Zodiac, it’s not just inspiration—it’s practically a love letter. This indie game doesn’t just pay homage to Star Fox, it recreates it. Developed by a single person, Ex-Zodiac aims to channel those 90s rail shooter vibes and absolutely nails the aesthetic. But is it fun? Or is it better left in the past? Let’s find out in my review of Ex-Zodiac! Please note: this game is still in early access and continues to receive updates, so we’ll update our score if major changes occur.

Gameplay

Ex-Zodiac is essentially Star Fox, so if you’ve played the original SNES title, you’ll feel right at home. But for the rest of you, let’s go back in time for a minute. In Ex-Zodiac, you play as Kyuu, a pilot fighting to stop the space terrorist group known as Zodiac from conquering the Sanzaru Star System.

The gameplay is pure arcade shooter: dodge lasers, shoot enemies, and spam bombs when you need crowd control. You can target-lock enemies or free-fire, and the game keeps you constantly moving forward—like most classic on-rail shooters. Each level ends in a boss fight, requiring you to dodge patterns and hit weak points. You’ll sometimes jump into other vehicles, but the gameplay loop remains simple and consistent throughout. It’s basic, but it works—and it’s fun.

That said, Ex-Zodiac is extremely similar to Star Fox. From the ship maneuvers like barrel rolls to the team chatter from your squad mates, it mirrors the SNES classic to a T. It doesn’t try to hide it. I don’t personally mind that—it’s clearly intentional—but some players may find it derivative rather than nostalgic. Your AI teammates even pop in with snarky remarks during missions, just like the old days.

Graphics

Ex-Zodiac intentionally adopts a retro aesthetic, and it does so successfully. The environments and ship models look like they were pulled from the early 90s—low resolution, low poly, and full of charm. It won’t stress your GPU, but it will tickle your nostalgia receptors if you’re a fan of classic 3D visuals. A few modern effects are sprinkled in, but they don’t detract from the old-school feel.

Sound

Huge props to +TEK, the composer behind Ex-Zodiac’s soundtrack. The music blends retro 16-bit melodies with a hint of modern polish, creating tracks that feel right at home in a SNES game. From the title screen to the in-mission themes, the soundtrack enhances the game’s immersive retro feel. It’s one of those soundtracks you might find yourself humming later without realizing it.

Story

Don’t expect a deep narrative in Ex-Zodiac. The plot is as simple as it gets: tough protagonist Kyuu versus a villainous group called Zodiac. It’s a setup straight out of a Saturday morning cartoon. Text pop-ups during gameplay flesh things out slightly, but there’s no intricate lore or complex drama here. The story merely gives context to your missions—and honestly, that’s all it needs to do.

Overall Impression

I really like Ex-Zodiac. It’s simple, old-school, and sometimes a little too close to Star Fox, but it still manages to be entertaining and well-crafted. Will it become the next big indie hit? Probably not—but it was never trying to. Ex-Zodiac set out to be a heartfelt homage to a beloved classic, and in that mission, it absolutely succeeds.

Conclusion

I tip my hat to developer MNKY—aka Ben Hickling—for creating Ex-Zodiac. As someone who grew up loving Star Fox, I felt like I’d time-traveled while playing. There isn’t much depth to this game, but that’s okay. It knows exactly what it is: a throwback to simpler times. And for that, it deserves credit. I’m grateful we got a code for Ex-Zodiac—and even gladder that it turned out to be such a blast to play. If you want to experience what rail shooters used to feel like, Ex-Zodiac is the easiest (and cheapest) way to get your fix.

ーAaron