Earthion on PlayStation 5 is an unusual release: a brand-new shoot ’em up from Ancient Corporation and Yuzo Koshiro that was originally built for 16-bit hardware and then published on today’s systems. Published by Limited Run Games, it aims to recapture the golden age of arcade shooters while adding modern touches like leaderboards and display options. In doing so, it taps directly into nostalgia, but also raises the question of how much room there is for innovation in a genre so closely tied to its heritage.
The setup, as so often in this genre, is straightforward: you pilot Azusa Takanashi through eight stages, each with distinct enemies, environments, and bosses. The narrative is light, a simple save-Earth-from-invaders plot, but it fits the arcade traditions Earthion celebrates. What makes it stand out isn’t its story, but the way it embraces a pure arcade flow – quick stages, escalating challenges, and an emphasis on reflexes. This keeps things focused and faithful to its roots, even if the game can feel a bit thin for modern players seeking deeper world-building or narrative hooks.
Gameplay is sharp and demanding, designed with classic shmup fans in mind. Enemy patterns are varied, boss fights are challenging, and the controls are tight, making every dodge and counter-shot feel responsive. Multiple modes, including the higher Hotshot difficulty and Challenge mode, give players reasons to replay. Still, the game’s short runtime – most players can finish it in under two hours – may leave some feeling it doesn’t offer enough content compared to the depth of modern indie shooters inspired by the same era. However, that is nitpicking when you consider the arcade inspirations – where games were often much shorter than this.
What Earthion nails is its balance between accessibility and hardcore challenge. Beginners can enjoy the more forgiving default settings, while veterans can push themselves with tougher modes and online leaderboards. This scalability adds longevity, though the repetitive nature of shmups means replay value depends heavily on how much you enjoy chasing high scores and trying out strategies rather than uncovering new content.
Visually, the game is a love letter to the 16-bit era. Every sprite, explosion, and scrolling background feels like it could have come straight from the early ’90s, though sharper resolution options and customizable scanlines make it shine on modern displays. The authenticity is impressive, but the decision to stick to retro visuals means Earthion won’t wow anyone looking for modern spectacle. It’s deliberately limited in scope – charming and even impressive for enthusiasts, but potentially underwhelming for newcomers.
A real star is Yuzo Koshiro’s soundtrack. With 27 original tracks, it’s packed with the kind of driving rhythms and layered melodies that made his work on games like Streets of Rage legendary. The music not only heightens the action but also reinforces the nostalgic atmosphere, making Earthion feel like a lost classic unearthed for today’s consoles. Sound effects, too, carry the punch of old-school shooters, though they may come across as dated to those without fondness for the era.
In the end, Earthion is both a celebration and a constraint. It succeeds brilliantly in evoking the style and spirit of 16-bit shooters, with sharp gameplay and an outstanding soundtrack anchoring the experience. At the same time, its brevity and strict adherence to retro design may limit its appeal beyond shmup devotees. For fans of arcade purity, it’s a nostalgic gem that you should pick up instantly; for others, it risks feeling like a fleeting novelty. Either way, it’s a fascinating project that bridges past and present in a way few games attempt – and it very successfully does so.
Score: 8.6/10
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