The Sonic Wings series – known as Aero Fighters in the West – has long been a cult favorite among arcade shooter fans. With Sonic Wings Reunion, Success Corp. and Red Art Games have tried to modernize that 1990s bullet-hell experience without betraying its roots. It’s an honest attempt to revive a dormant franchise, offering fast-paced, vertical shooting and a dose of nostalgic charm. It’s a reunion that succeeds in bringing the franchise back into the skies, even it doesn’t always manage to soar above its retro trappings.
The setup is classic Sonic Wings: a mysterious global enemy threatens humanity, and an eclectic cast of pilots takes to the skies to save the day. Each of the eight main characters has their own backstory and dialogue exchanges, which slightly shift the tone and story depending on your pairing. It’s a fun touch that recalls the arcade era’s personality-driven shooters, though the plot remains a light wrapper around the real focus – dodging bullets and unleashing screen-clearing firepower. Cooperative play brings added charm, especially since dialogue between paired characters changes when playing in two-player mode, but the lack of online support feels like a missed opportunity.
From a gameplay perspective, Sonic Wings Reunion remains true to the roots of its series. The controls are simple and responsive, letting players focus entirely on weaving through waves of projectiles. There’s a sense of immediacy and accessibility here – anyone can pick it up, but mastering it takes sharp reflexes and patience. Each pilot and craft feels distinct, with different shot patterns and bomb types, which adds replay value, especially for fans who like to experiment with loadouts. Difficulty can be finely tuned through multiple settings, including invincibility and practice modes, which make the game approachable for newcomers while still offering challenge for veterans.
However, despite this careful balancing act, Sonic Wings Reunion doesn’t quite evolve the formula. The eight stages – set across modernized versions of global cities – are short and sometimes too straightforward, lacking the unpredictable energy of the arcade originals. Boss fights, though flashy, tend to rely on predictable attack loops, and while the explosions and color palette bring nostalgic appeal, they also highlight the game’s limited technical ambition. This is not a modern reimagining so much as a faithful continuation – and that’s both its strength and its limitation. Something that fans will embrace and love, but won’t convince every shooter fan.
What Reunion does exceptionally well is sound design. The inclusion of three selectable soundtrack modes – original, arranged, and the quirky “Mao Mao” option – gives players flexibility in shaping their experience. The arranged mode, in particular, offers a richer, more modern reinterpretation of Soshi Hosoi’s classic compositions, blending crunchy synths and retro melodies with contemporary flair. Audio cues are crisp and satisfying, even if some sound effects occasionally clip or repeat too abruptly during intense moments. The attention to musical detail suggests that the developers genuinely wanted to celebrate the series’ musical legacy rather than merely repackage it.
Visually, the game strikes a middle ground between retro authenticity and subtle modernization. Sprites retain their pixel-art identity, while the backgrounds are given smoother shading and lighting effects that pop nicely. It’s a modest upgrade – more remaster than remake – but the clean presentation keeps the frantic action readable, even during dense enemy waves. Still, the interface can feel dated and static, especially when compared to other recent retro-inspired shooters that have embraced more dynamic effects and widescreen design. The result is a game that feels content to stay in its comfort zone rather than push its aesthetic forward.
In the end, Sonic Wings Reunion is a lovingly crafted homage that delivers on its promise of classic shoot-’em-up action, but it plays it perhaps a little too safe. Fans of the original arcade titles will find the familiar rhythm comforting – short stages, tight control, and that addictive chase for high scores. But for players expecting a more ambitious evolution of the formula, this reunion might feel like a nostalgic flight path that never quite reaches cruising altitude. It’s an enjoyable return for a series long thought grounded, but one best suited to existing fans of the series.
Score: 7.5/10
Press Play Media 