Final Exerion

I really like this game as i loved the original arcade version years back. The game is super addictive and fun and the graphics and music are right up my street. The game isn't janky in the traditional sense but is intentionally so and thus it's own deliberate, and here well thought out, system Compensating for the inertia by defensive and /or attacking strats is very rewarding. A solid recommend Edit: The more time I spend with this game the more I realise how awesome and well thought out it is.It's even made by a former Cave employee.What more can you want?!

ストレイフと慣性が強力なガラガ風のゲーム

癖のある武器を駆使しながら、 弾切れになったり被弾して武器を使えなくなったら支援爆撃を要請。 被弾できない恐怖とそこそこ苛烈な攻撃を、 妙にデカい喰らい判定と絶妙な慣性と素早いブーストで何とか切り抜けて、 全画面ボム＋無敵の支援爆撃とともに追加武装が来る。 反撃とピンチのサイクルが非常に心地よく、 とても楽しいシューティングゲームでした！

Be warned it is very different, but it has style and does its weird thing pretty well. I say take a chance on it regardless of being a traditional SHUMP fanatic (like myself) or not.

好玩。难度颇高，带有装备时能当装甲防御1下。没装甲时要等技能CD开出来吃新装甲。 挺好玩的，推荐个。

Final Exerion is one of the most unique shmups I've played in a while! It's an updated version of the 1983 Kawa Denshi Giken shmup published by Jaleco. This new version by Happymeal retains the idiosyncracies of the original but with a SFC overhaul. Pretty out there. The ship feels unusually weighty for a shmup, but the game gives you boosters to gain an extre degree of control. You get Cell power ups by requesting a support screen nuke that has like a 6 second delay, these you get by replenishing your Cell meter. It's quite the interesting system and I don't recall any shmup doing anything remotely similar. Design-wise I believe this is a really good mix of single screen pre-Xevius 80s shmups with more "modern" capabilities. The standout are the bosses, which are pretty damn fun. It's doesn't have the most intricate Cave style overlapping ahh bullet patterns, it's like a couple of notches above Galaga 88' in terms of complexity, but I don't think it would've worked with more complex stuff since a lot of the fun comes from working around your ship's limitations. The target audience is shmup/arcade connoisseurs that can appreciate an early 80s throwback and aren't allergic to non-standarized mechanics. The movement will be a huge turn off for a lot of people, but there's something very unique within it.

经典fc游戏，火凤凰的重置升级版，加入了关卡和道具，漂移的手感作为特色被保留，如果不及时习惯很容易暴毙，如果不是情怀加持，这个价格很容易劝退

Final Exerion, developed by Happymeal Inc. and published by CITY CONNECTION, is a modern reimagining of the 1983 arcade classic Exerion. Rather than simply remaster the original, the developers have opted to build a fresh title from the ground up, preserving the core mechanics and spirit of the original while integrating new gameplay systems, improved visuals, and a light narrative. What results is a shooter that straddles the line between nostalgic homage and contemporary update—one that will likely appeal most to fans of old-school arcade shooters but may not fully satisfy those expecting the speed and depth of modern genre entries. Set in the distant future, the game imagines a world under siege from a bizarre threat known as “Gene Beasts”—genetically engineered creatures that threaten human civilization. Players take control of the "Ex Fighter," a sleek battle craft developed using forgotten technologies excavated from ancient ruins. The sci-fi setting is typical of the genre, but the game adds flavor by including an in-universe manga drawn by U-Watari, which helps expand the worldbuilding and gives it a more distinct identity. It’s a small touch, but one that adds character and makes the experience feel more complete. Gameplay is based on horizontal shooting with a deliberate emphasis on momentum. The Ex Fighter moves with a sense of weight, maintaining a degree of inertia that affects both movement and positioning. This mechanic will be instantly familiar to fans of the original Exerion and other classic shooters, and it adds a layer of challenge, especially when dodging dense enemy fire or positioning for precise shots. Rather than reacting with twitch precision, players need to anticipate and commit to their movements, which gives the game a more strategic tempo. For newcomers, this system might feel sluggish or frustrating at first, but over time it becomes a core part of the challenge and rhythm. One of the standout new mechanics is the EX CELL system. During combat, players build up a gauge that allows them to summon a weapon-delivery carrier from their base. This carrier slowly travels toward the player’s position and, upon arrival, provides a powerful weapon module with limited ammunition. Timing becomes essential, as calling the carrier leaves you exposed for a few moments before the delivery arrives. However, during the exchange, the player becomes temporarily invulnerable, which can be used tactically to avoid damage during intense moments. This system adds welcome depth to the otherwise straightforward shooting gameplay, giving players an extra tool to manage difficult encounters or bail themselves out of dangerous situations. Visually, Final Exerion strikes a balance between retro aesthetics and modern polish. The pixel-inspired art direction pays homage to its arcade roots, while subtle enhancements—such as smoother animation, brighter color palettes, and better resolution—make it feel current. Enemy and level designs retain that distinct 80s arcade flair, full of abstract enemy shapes and symmetrical bullet patterns, but they’re rendered with enough detail to feel satisfying even on modern displays. Music and sound effects are similarly updated without losing their old-school charm, further immersing players in a world that feels like a bridge between decades. The game includes a number of quality-of-life features that help smooth the experience. There are separate volume controls for music and sound effects, language support for both Japanese and English, and a user-friendly menu system that makes navigating the game straightforward. It also includes both Normal and Hard modes, along with online leaderboards for players who enjoy chasing high scores. However, some players have reported that these leaderboards can be inconsistent or buggy, which detracts from the competitive appeal and may frustrate those who hoped to measure themselves against a global community. While Final Exerion gets many things right, it does have its shortcomings. Some players may find the overall game structure a bit too lean, especially when compared to more expansive modern shooters that offer weapon upgrades, branching levels, or multiple ships with unique abilities. This title remains mostly linear, and while the EX CELL system adds variety, the core gameplay loop doesn’t evolve much after the initial few stages. Additionally, the movement system, while faithful to the original, can feel restrictive to those accustomed to fast, fluid shooters. Mastery comes with time, but it requires patience and a willingness to adapt to an older control philosophy. Performance is generally solid, and the game runs well on most machines, including Steam Deck. Still, occasional technical hiccups have been noted, such as frame drops in specific segments or controller input not registering correctly without tweaking settings. These are not game-breaking issues, but they hint at a lack of final polish that could frustrate more technically sensitive players. Given the relatively modest scope of the game, it's something that could have benefitted from an additional pass in QA testing. In terms of value, Final Exerion is priced fairly for what it offers. At around $15, it delivers a focused, nostalgic experience with just enough modern enhancements to feel worthwhile. For fans of the original Exerion or retro shooters in general, it’s a solid purchase—something that respects its roots without trying to overcomplicate its formula. However, players expecting a feature-rich experience on par with modern bullet hell shooters may find the game lacking in content or mechanical complexity. It’s a title made with a specific audience in mind, and for that audience, it delivers a well-crafted, if somewhat narrow, experience. Ultimately, Final Exerion is a thoughtful tribute to a classic, updated just enough to function in today’s gaming landscape. It’s not trying to redefine the genre or compete with the most sophisticated modern shoot-’em-ups, but rather to remind players why the core loop of classic arcade shooters was compelling in the first place. With careful design, a unique combat mechanic, and a solid visual identity, it offers a nostalgic yet fresh experience that’s best enjoyed in short bursts, one wave of enemies at a time. Rating: 7/10