Z-Exemplar
$3.49About Z-Exemplar
Z-Exemplar is a side-scrolling shooter in the tradition of R-Type, Gradius, Nemesis and other classic arcade games from the past. Borrowing its aesthetic from the computers of yesteryear (specifically the Sinclair ZX Spectrum) Z-Exemplar combines bright, bold, 8-bit pixel art with frantic action and an epic mission to conquer a galaxy of almost 1000 planets.
Z-Exemplar was conceived as a love letter to the ZX Spectrum. Proudly retro, the game embraces the limitations of its 8-bit inspiration to deliver a fast-action, guns-toting, laser-blasting quest with intuitive gameplay and long-lasting appeal.
But it's not just nostalgia for its own sake.
There is something hugely appealing in the 8-bit aesthetic, something that can be absent in photo-realism. There is space for interpretation, for imagination and a vague assemblage of pixels can evoke in players a different emotion from that engendered by more detailed, distinct images. With the added vibrancy of the ZX Spectrum’s colour palette, this pixellated aesthetic gives Z-Exemplar’s visuals a unique and distinctive feel.
On its surface Z-Exemplar's gameplay appears simple - shoot anything that moves and collect the booty they leave behind - but the over-arching goal of the game is anything but. You are tasked with conquering all 960 planets that make up a hostile galaxy with each planet's defences uniquely configured. As you explore the outer reaches of the galaxy, the defenses become stronger and enemies more lethal and numerous. There is abundant challenge in Z-Exemplar, challenge that grows with your experience.
To turn the battle in your favour you can access an arsenal of over 20 upgradeable weapons that transform your basic fighter craft into a devastating war machine - selecting the right loadout for each planetary battle is essential.
Features
* 960 Unique planetary battlegrounds
* 10 Planet themes
* 21 Awesome Weapon loadouts
* 16+ Hours of gameplay
* A galaxy full of secrets
* Conquest leaderboard - who'll be first to take over the entire galaxy?
* Hundreds of enemy types
* Huge end-of-level guardians
* Authentic 8-bit pixel art style and audio
Z-Exemplar was conceived as a love letter to the ZX Spectrum. Proudly retro, the game embraces the limitations of its 8-bit inspiration to deliver a fast-action, guns-toting, laser-blasting quest with intuitive gameplay and long-lasting appeal.
But it's not just nostalgia for its own sake.
There is something hugely appealing in the 8-bit aesthetic, something that can be absent in photo-realism. There is space for interpretation, for imagination and a vague assemblage of pixels can evoke in players a different emotion from that engendered by more detailed, distinct images. With the added vibrancy of the ZX Spectrum’s colour palette, this pixellated aesthetic gives Z-Exemplar’s visuals a unique and distinctive feel.
On its surface Z-Exemplar's gameplay appears simple - shoot anything that moves and collect the booty they leave behind - but the over-arching goal of the game is anything but. You are tasked with conquering all 960 planets that make up a hostile galaxy with each planet's defences uniquely configured. As you explore the outer reaches of the galaxy, the defenses become stronger and enemies more lethal and numerous. There is abundant challenge in Z-Exemplar, challenge that grows with your experience.
To turn the battle in your favour you can access an arsenal of over 20 upgradeable weapons that transform your basic fighter craft into a devastating war machine - selecting the right loadout for each planetary battle is essential.
Features
* 960 Unique planetary battlegrounds
* 10 Planet themes
* 21 Awesome Weapon loadouts
* 16+ Hours of gameplay
* A galaxy full of secrets
* Conquest leaderboard - who'll be first to take over the entire galaxy?
* Hundreds of enemy types
* Huge end-of-level guardians
* Authentic 8-bit pixel art style and audio
All Application Badges
Paid
app
app
Android
2.3+
2.3+
Bug
buster
buster
Android game
Game History & Updates
What's Changed
* Improved drag control settings
* Increased ship speed when not under drag control
* Bug fix - New planet discovered text
* Bug fix - Probe interaction on Hive planets
* Improved drag control settings
* Increased ship speed when not under drag control
* Bug fix - New planet discovered text
* Bug fix - Probe interaction on Hive planets
What are users saying about Z-Exemplar
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Edit2: Hurray! Ratings up where it belongs! Huzzah, all hail Lord Suminell! Edit: Completely fixed! Brilliant! All pilots have received their tactical control modules. Rejoice or Repent. Cling not to hope. In the beginning there was light, in the end, all that remains and ever shall be, is Z. //// The game is fantastic, with a rather dark humor that I find delightful. I always loved Invader Zim (no relation lol), and being the antivillain. There's nothing good or evil about this universe. You just kill and conquer. You're not savages, not monsters, yet you're a nightmare to the denizens of the universe. It's quite a departure from Gradius let me tell you. My only complaint (Update: Controls rehauled, Drag controls rock) are controls are unnecessarily retro. Hitting forward and back makes it travel there automatically until stopped by going up or down. This makes things very uncomfortable in tight spaces. Which as a badass you find yourself in quite a bit (heyo). The crt frame.... The damn frame... I'm sorry but it's too much wasted space. I don't mind the 4:3, but you're already denying me 33% of left and right viewing space, do I need the bottom bezel too? Even with it off, it's still so small. I know you're capturing a feeling... But I promise you, launch Mame and load Rtype on your phone and trust me... It'll still be there even full screen and. Least make it scalable? Thank you for gamepad support. Was really needed. Though is the game meant to have autoacceleration (left and right movement sticking) like that? I'd love for there to be a second fire button as well, or adjustable engine speed (Like Thunder Force is famous for). Is it obvious I'm excited for the game? I think it is. Haha.
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Congratulations on creating one of the best retro shmups I have played for a long time
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by T####:
Brilliant! This is how you do a retro game!
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On of the best shooters around. Got it both on steam and my mobile device. A true old school shooter with a modern twist. Can do with drag controls similar to skyforce and in-game pause. Still great.
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Excellent game well done guys! Grew up with the Spectrum so appreciate the effort to make this game as authentic feeling as possible. Well not too authentic, suggest you keep the loading times as they are i.e. under 5 mins :-) Hooked up a Moga Pro and it works great. Only suggestion would be to remove the Fire button from the screen as an option when using a controller.
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Thanks for the changes and your support. That's much better.
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Love this game, it has that annoying can't put it down value. But equally also that want to bounce my phone off the wall each time I crash. The Making of a good one in my personal opinion. Like it or lump it. Perfect. It just shows you that you can't please everyone, as I actually enjoyed the d-pad movement.
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by T####:
Love the spectrum style graphics. Lots of levels. A great game which should be supported by retro fans. 5/5
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Game seems very entertaining but runs sluggish on my Nexus 7, running 4.1.1
by T####:
Nailed the reto feel perfectly. Reason I bought originaly was to say a belated thank you for the work that was done on an old favorate of mine (Harlequin on the Amiga). However this is a blinder of a game in its own right. If you gamed in the 80s you will be grinning from ear to ear or if you just want a cracking little shooter you can't go wrong with this. Thanks