Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Xexyz’s gameplay is a deft blend of platforming action and side-scrolling shooting that keeps each level feeling fresh and challenging. In Action Mode, you control Apollo as he leaps across crumbling ruins and mechanical fortresses, jumping over pits, dodging traps, and dispatching waves of robotic enemies. The level layouts encourage exploration: secret rooms hide extra cash, bonus games offer risk-reward challenges, and friendly NPCs dispense hints or sell essential items. This encourages players to fully examine each area rather than rushing through, giving the game a satisfying Metroidvania-lite vibe.

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Shooting Mode switches gears entirely, placing Apollo inside the Cyborg Rider for high-speed, self-scrolling sections. Here, the pace picks up significantly: you weave through relentless enemy fire while picking up weapon power-ups that profoundly change your projectile spread and fire rate. The transition back to on-foot boss sequences punctuates the action, forcing you to adapt your skills on the fly. This alternating structure—Action Mode to Shooter Mode and back—creates a dynamic rhythm, ensuring that you’re rarely doing the same thing for too long.

Weapons and items further enrich the gameplay. Swords with longer reach, throwing daggers, and special power-ups such as electric shields or invincibility stars give Apollo a variety of ways to approach combat. Shops scattered throughout levels let you customize your loadout, and the limited “Balls” currency motivates strategic spending. Whether you’re conserving funds for a high-powered weapon or gambling at a bonus mini-game for extra cash, resource management adds another layer of depth to each run.

Difficulty ramps up steadily as you progress through each of the five islands. Early levels introduce basic platforming and shooting enemies, while later mechanical castles test your precision and timing with more elaborate traps and tougher minibosses. Boss battles demand you master both modes: using jumping prowess and well-timed attacks on foot, then seamlessly transitioning to your Cyborg Rider to deliver the final blow. The balanced challenge curve keeps veteran players on their toes while still being accessible to newcomers willing to learn the mechanics.

Graphics

Visually, Xexyz is a standout title on the NES, showcasing richly detailed sprites and diverse backgrounds that evoke a post-apocalyptic world reclaimed by fantasy. The first island’s lush forests give way to icy peaks and sandy deserts, each with its own palette and atmospheric flair. When the mechanical castles rise onscreen, the color scheme shifts to muted grays and metallic blues, conveying a stark contrast between nature and machine.

Apollo and his enemies are rendered with crisp, clear pixel art. Animation frames are well-crafted: Apollo’s jump arcs, sword slashes, and recoil from enemy hits all look smooth and satisfying. Enemies, from ethereal faeries to armored cyborgs, have distinct silhouettes that make them easy to identify in the heat of battle. Boss sprites are impressively large and detailed, occupying a significant portion of the screen without compromising frame rate or causing flicker.

The Shooting Mode sequences are particularly impressive, with a sense of speed and depth achieved through parallax scrolling stars, shifting ground textures, and rapidly moving enemy formations. Weapon pickups sparkle and stand out against darker backdrops, ensuring you don’t miss critical power-ups in the chaos. Overall, the game’s graphical fidelity punches well above its hardware limitations, immersing players in a visually coherent and compelling world.

Special effects, such as explosions, energy beams, and invincibility glows, are executed with simple but effective sprite layering. While modern gamers might find the color depth limited, the artistic choices maximize contrast and readability, making every element—friend or foe—immediately recognizable. In sum, Xexyz’s graphics enhance the gameplay experience rather than merely serving as nostalgia fodder.

Story

Set in the year 2777, Xexyz’s narrative seamlessly marries science fiction with fairy-tale fantasy. Nuclear wars and natural disasters have decimated Earth’s population, leaving just five islands united under King Xeu Star’s benevolent rule. The peace shatters when Goruza invades, slaughters the king, captures the queens, and erects mechanical castles on each isle. You play Apollo, a lone soldier determined to liberate the archipelago and restore balance between humans, spirits, and faeries.

While the storyline is straightforward, it’s elevated by the world-building threaded through NPC dialogues and environmental details. Friendly faeries offer lore snippets about ancient magic, while island inhabitants share rumors of Goruza’s true motives. Finding Force Stars in each castle adds a sense of progression: every time you secure one, you feel closer to avenging the fallen king and freeing the enchanted realms.

The decision to intersperse Action and Shooting Modes also supports the narrative. Exploring crumbling ruins and meeting survivors underscores the stakes on foot, while high-speed Cyborg Rider sequences symbolize Apollo’s relentless march toward Goruza’s strongholds. Boss fights—featuring corrupted faeries, mechanical guardians, and ultimately Goruza himself—offer climactic narrative payoffs that reward both skill and story investment.

Although there’s no lengthy cutscene engine or voice acting, Xexyz uses in-game text and cleverly designed levels to convey its plot. The pacing of story reveals keeps you moving forward: just as you learn more about Goruza’s schemes, you’re thrust into your next challenge. This balance of lore and action ensures the tale never outstays its welcome while still providing enough context to care about Apollo’s mission.

Overall Experience

Xexyz delivers a cohesive experience that stands the test of time. Its hybrid gameplay keeps you engaged from start to finish, with plenty of surprises awaiting around each corner. Whether you’re a fan of tight platforming, adrenaline-pumping shooters, or a mix of both, you’ll find something to enjoy in this imaginative world.

Replay value is strong, driven by the desire to uncover every secret room, max out your weapons, and chase high scores in bonus games. Speedrunners will appreciate the multiple paths through levels, while completionists can focus on freeing every fairy and collecting all hidden items. The balancing act between exploration and action ensures that no two playthroughs feel identical.

For retro enthusiasts, Xexyz is a shining example of how NES-era developers pushed the hardware to its limits. Modern players seeking a challenging yet fair 8-bit experience will find hours of satisfying gameplay here. The tight controls, varied level designs, and memorable boss encounters combine into an unforgettable adventure.

In the end, Xexyz offers an immersive journey through a world torn between nature and machine, guided by a hero whose determination never wavers. It’s a title that rewards curiosity, skill, and determination—making it a must-play classic for anyone exploring the golden age of platforming and shoot ’em ups.

Retro Replay Score

6.7/10