With its pastel-colored chaos and side-scrolling precision, Candy Rangers feels like a sugar rush from another era. Developed by Mechano and published by JanduSoft, it’s a game that mixes old-school arcade sensibilities with modern design polish. What looks like a cute, candy-coated shooter at first quickly reveals itself to be a tightly designed, score-driven experience where timing and mastery matter as much as color and charm.
There’s little in the way of a traditional narrative here, but Candy Rangers doesn’t need much setup. The premise revolves around a group of sweet-themed heroes – Candy, Mint, Plum, and Lemon – each armed with distinct shooting directions that define the rhythm of each stage. It’s a clever design choice that forces players to think spatially: Candy fires sideways, Mint vertically, Plum back and forth, and Lemon diagonally. Success depends on choosing the right ranger for each encounter, swapping when necessary, and staying in sync with the enemy formations that flood the screen. This mechanic gives Candy Rangers a sense of tactical depth without complicating its core arcade flow.
Each of the more than twenty levels offers its own pacing and obstacles, often split into multiple paths that test both reflexes and route planning. There’s a fun tension between precision shooting and level exploration – especially when searching for ranger medals that unlock extra content and boss battles. The game’s ranking system adds another layer, rewarding flawless chains and punishing mistakes harshly. Players chasing five-star ratings will find an addictive loop here, while others might find the challenge occasionally unforgiving.
Boss encounters are where Candy Rangers really shines. Each fight feels like a self-contained puzzle that blends bullet-hell patterns with platforming finesse. The design is inventive but fair, and beating a boss without taking a hit feels immensely satisfying. That said, the later stages ramp up difficulty fast, especially in hard mode, which doubles penalties for damage taken. This difficulty curve may alienate casual players who are drawn in by the bright visuals and cheery tone, but for fans of retro challenge, the balance between frustration and reward is right on target.
The controls are crisp and responsive, which is essential in a game that lives or dies on reflex precision. Mechano’s approach to movement – jumping, dashing, and braking – creates a flow that recalls classic shooters but adds just enough control to keep things from feeling rigid. Occasional visual clutter during heavy action can obscure small hazards, but for the most part, readability remains solid, helped by consistent animation and color contrast.
Visually, Candy Rangers bursts with charm. Its pixel art pops with saturated tones and clever lighting that shifts between times of day, while the soundtrack keeps the tempo high with bouncy synth melodies that fit the sugary aesthetic perfectly. There’s clear inspiration from ‘90s console shooters here, though with smoother animations and more variety than you’d find in those classics. The presentation keeps things lively, making each level distinct even as the core gameplay stays consistent.
While Candy Rangers doesn’t reinvent the arcade formula, it’s a strong homage that knows exactly what it wants to be. It’s challenging, fast, and mechanically sound, with a cheerful veneer that belies its intensity. The later levels and ranking chase can be punishing, but beneath the bright exterior lies a game that rewards precision, experimentation, and perseverance. For those who grew up on the likes of colorful shooters of the past, this is a sweet treat worth unwrapping – one piece at a time.
Score: 7.1/10
Press Play Media 