Super XYX | PS5 Review

With a story implied, but not shown we find the pilots of Super XYX braving six stages of bullet hell onslaught as they aim to face off against the world destroyer and his legion of mechanized bosses. As either the Green Knight or Helltiger you push upward through vertically scrolling top-down terrain blasting the fool out of the alien army before you. 

Utilizing a one button shot enhanced by power-ups, and up to four joining satellites via power-ups you not only leave a path of destruction, but also farm the medals that are left behind for that top score on the leaderboard. The mission is simple yet challenging in the Toaplan sense. Making a full playthrough near impossible if you don't make the most of your bombs, and properly dodge the bullet hell before you.

EastAsiaSoft has quite possibly outdone themselves in nabbing 'Super XYX' for their growing library of shmup releases. The quality presentation is here with all the optional toggles needed to fine tune your playing experience. You can tinker with lives, and continues as well as screen orientation, visual effects, and hitbox scaling among other things. It is these options that will cater to certain playstyles while affording the same six stage playthrough to everyone.

At the start menu you can choose to jump right in on the action via Arcade mode. A must if you want to later partake of the Practice mode in which you can perfect your playthroughs per stage. There are six stages in total with varying environments from the garden variety, to the seafaring, and even the alien. Each stage comes with their own types of enemies which, in turn, have their own attacks and weaknesses. You will ultimately make your way through set waves of lesser enemy craft before facing off against the boss at the end of the stage. The main goal being to dodge all incoming bullet hell, destroy all the enemies, and collect all the medals as you power-up your shot type, and your satellite count. 

Killing off enemy craft in sequence without getting hit nets you a combo multiplier while nabbing all the medals increases their size, and point value at the end tally. This is easier said than done as one hit from an incoming bullet will instantly reset combo and medal progress. That, and the power-up state. Thankfully you can more easily dodge bullet hell using the slowdown mechanic when needed. That, and the limited stock of screen clearing bombs will help you get past the more seemingly impossible waves.

Before you get started with any of this you will choose your pilot, and in turn, their unique shot type. The Green Knight, for example, has a three forward shooting lasers that cover the front and both sides. Increasing in coverage as power-ups and satellites are collected. Helltiger, on the other hand, has a wide forward bullet shot that widens as power-ups and satellites are collected. Outside of pilot selection you will also be able to enter your leaderboard name or 3 initials/symbols. This name will be shown onscreen as you play, and will show up beside your top score if you make the leaderboard.

The Presentation ...

Super XYX is a highly detailed pixel heavy shmup that is reminiscent of older arcade shmups like that of Toaplan fame. It is very well crafted from the side art, and scoreboard to the lane based stages. Even the player and enemy craft showcase an attention to detail that is Triple A by comparison to previously released EastAsiaSoft shmups. The soundtrack is also spot on with the arcade past.

The Verdict ...

Super XYX is the type of bullet hell shmup that will mostly appeal to dedicated genre fans. Those diehard fans that don't mind a steep challenge, but who appreciate a beautiful, and mechanically viable game. It is one of those shmup experiences that goes all out to allow for custom tailoring according to player preference. It includes all the usual optional features. The only downside if any is the limited amount of modes, and the limit of six stages. Not that, that is a deal breaker though. For me it was truly impressive. A throwback spectacle to an era of arcade greats. Something we don't often get these days, especially at EastAsiaSoft's pricing. For what it's worth it gets my enthusiastic seal of approval. It is a day one worthy buy for true shmup fans!!!