Earthion Reviews
Overall, Earthion is an amazingly good shmup and genuinely feels like some kind of forgotten gem. The main game mechanics are involved but also streamlined, coupled with insanely fast-paced yet still extremely detailed visuals. The music and sound effects are also excellent. In short, this is a definitive shmup and comes highly recommended.
Earthion is a terrific piece of work. It's more an accomplished production, arguably, than a shoot 'em up of incredible highs, but at the same time, that's part of its charm. It has a different feel thanks to its shield system and mid-stage upgrade rungs, and this is a refreshing and welcome change from the norm. Much of the fun is in figuring out the order of bolstering your ship and the little tricks that various weaponry affords when faced with tricky junctures. It does some things other shoot 'em ups don't do, and is all the more standout for it.At the same time, it fails to achieve some things that other shoot 'em ups do so well. Nonetheless, Earthion is a treat of a game: a bold new Mega Drive work that sits in the upper echelons of the console's broad catalogue, and shouldn't be passed up by fans of the genre or wonderful 16-bit works.
Earthion is a stellar shooter that not only captures the heart of Genesis shooters, but brings the genre forward with stellar visuals, interesting mechanics, and a soundtrack that I could blast on repeat. I love that we live in a world where a game like this can exist. If you grew up loving titles like Hellfire, Truxton, and Musha, this is definitely a game for you. I cannot recommend it enough.
Earthion is an outstanding achievement – a blissfully retro shmup experience with just enough modern sensibilities to make it appeal to an all-new generation of players. With sublime pixel artwork, a scorching score, and a creative campaign that keeps you on your toes, this is an absolutely outstanding effort from 90s dev Ancient.
Earthion is an absolute masterpiece, both as a shmup and a modern game in general. It's beautiful, engaging, has a heart-pumping soundtrack, and is the type of game that keeps you coming back again and again. This is a special gift for fans of the genre and will go down as one of the best shmups of all time.
Earthion, a new side-scrolling space shooter, is made by Ancient Corporation – a fitting moniker. The studio is run by Yuzo Koshiro, who made his fa...
Earthion is a perfect encapsulation of the timelessness of the SEGA Genesis. Ancient and Yuzo Koshiro have set the gold standard on how to breathe life into a shoot-em-up while innovating its reach to be fun for all players. Despite it being a Genesis title emulated on PC, it's a must-have for anyone who loves retro games with just the right amount of challenge.
Earthion is a beautiful love letter to the Sega Genesis and the 16-bit era in general, co-authored by someone who helped define its greatness — Yuzo Koshiro.
Earthion is a title aimed at a specific niche: fans of the 16-bit era and the side-scrolling spaceship genre. The title doesn't seek to expand its reach, but instead delivers a polished experience within its niche. It's certainly a title that not everyone will be able to appreciate, but it should gain a loyal following among those who do.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
A solid old-school-styled shoot 'em up worht checking out on PS5
Designed for 16-bit hardware, Earthion looks and plays like a blast from the past. That's not a bad thing, though, and had Earthion released 30 years or so ago it would have blown my tiny mind. In the modern day it's still extremely impressive, but it's somewhat let down by a lack of modes.
Earthion is a modern shoot 'em up throwback that does an exceptional job of embodying what made the 16-bit era so special for the genre.
Earthion delivers on its promise, delivering a true modern classic that manages to engage and entertain despite its obvious nostalgic appeal. Ultimately, fans of 16-bit games will feel right at home with this release, but newcomers and curious gamers will also find enjoyment here. In short, it's worth traveling back in time and saving the planet like we did back in the 1990s.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Earthion is a love letter to the golden age of 16-bit shooters. Developed by Ancient and composed by the legendary Yuzo Koshiro, it delivers tight controls, stunning pixel art, and an unforgettable synth soundtrack. Its upgrade system adds real depth to classic shoot ’em up gameplay, balancing accessibility and challenge. Short but perfectly crafted, Earthion proves that pure design and style still matter more than photorealism.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Ancient presents us with Earthion, a game that delivers a nostalgic experience through fast-paced, dynamic, responsive, and straightforward gameplay. In Earthion, it's the classic-style shoot 'em up mechanics that truly drive the entire experience toward pure fun.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Earthion is an amazing shoot 'em up, that by no means revolutionizes the world, and those who are already lukewarm toward the genre may not find a new favorite here either. But it’s impossible not to appreciate how everything that Ancient and Bitwave have done radiates love and passion for the genre as well as for the Sega’s old hardware. Since the final product is simply a thoroughly well-designed and polished game with awesome soundtrack by Yuzo Koshiro, why not reward it with five stars?
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Earthion is an ode to Mega Drive games, arcades, and the very history of video games. It perfectly emulates the style of the classics that shaped the industry, delivering an experience that will take you back to the good old days.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Earthion is a love letter to shmup fans and SEGA enthusiasts, blending Gradius-inspired mechanics with Thunder Force-style flair, stunning 16-bit visuals, and a nostalgic Yuzo Koshiro soundtrack. While some visual clutter hampers precision play, its clever boss battles, relentless level design, and authentic retro feel make it a standout in modern and vintage shooter circles.
Earthion is one of the most impressive retro-style shooters in recent memory. While Ancient’s latest offering doesn’t reinvent the genre, it delivers on all fronts with tight controls, satisfying combat, and a few smart updates to the classic formula. Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned shmup veteran, there’s plenty here to enjoy, from the clever upgrade system to the solid weapon variety and striking stage designs. The fact that it was built for the Genesis makes it all the more impressive, but even judged by modern standards, it more than holds its own. If you have any love for the genre or retro games in general, Earthion deserves a spot in your Steam library.
With a timeless look, a memorable soundtrack, and gameplay that encourages repeated attempts, Earthion stands out as one of the best ’90s-style shoot ’em ups, as well as a curious contemporary highlight created for a console nearly 40 years old.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review