ZPF Steam Next Fest Demo Brings 16-Bit Shoot-’Em-Up Action to Players!
February 21, 2025 — Do you miss scrolling bullet hell shooters with pulsing crunchy soundtracks? Well do we have good news for you, following the growing trend of real new retro game releases, a new game is heading our way with the concise 3-letter title ZPF.
Mega Cat Studios and the ZPF Team are ready to take players on a wild 16-bit ride with the release of the ZPF demo, available on Steam, this Monday the 24th of February 2025 as part of Steam Next Fest! This retro-styled horizontal shoot-’em-up blends fantasy, cyberpunk, and space warfare into one surreal, action-packed experience.
Three Playable Characters, Three Unique Playstyles
The ZPF demo lets players choose from three distinct characters, each bringing a different approach to the battlefield:
Knight: A mystical defender from the enchanted lands of ZPF. Piloted by a young magician, Knight wields both magic and steel to protect against encroaching goblin hordes. Players will need to balance offense and defense, using spells and sword strikes to carve through waves of enemies.
Gladius: A high-speed spacecraft piloted by humanity’s last hope. With an alien invasion threatening the galaxy, players must take control of Gladius, maneuvering through intense, bullet-filled space battles to ensure the survival of mankind.
Gold: A cybernetic mercenary navigating the neon-lit underworld of a dystopian city. Armed with high-tech weaponry and cyber-enhancements, Gold takes on bounties for the highest bidder, eliminating threats with precision and style.
A Visual and Gameplay Treat
The ZPF demo doesn’t just look to deliver high-octane gameplay—it’s also a visual love letter to the golden age of 16-bit gaming. With stunning effects, layered parallax scrolling, and richly detailed pixel art, each of the game’s three distinct realms is brought to life in breathtaking fashion. Whether soaring through a fantasy battlefield, dodging neon-lit dangers in a cyberpunk city, or fighting off alien terrors in deep space, players will be treated to a dazzling array of backdrops and enemy designs.
Fans can also look forward to discovering secrets hidden throughout the game, adding an extra layer of depth to this exhilarating arcade-style shooter.
Features That Pack a Punch
Face off against screen-filling bosses that will test your reflexes and tactics.
Master an engaging scoring system that rewards daring playstyles and risk-taking.
Battle through six+ levels spanning surreal sci-fi, horror, and fantasy landscapes.
Choose from three unique characters, each offering a different way to play.
Immerse yourself in a high-energy chiptune soundtrack that perfectly complements the action.
Coming Soon to Multiple Platforms!
This might come as a shock, but the final release of the game will first be on the console that gave the team so much inspiration. With a hard copy on the SEGA 90's 16-bit console.
After its initial launch on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive in May 2025, ZPF will make its way to Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S shortly after.
Are you ready to blast your way through ZPF? A few more nights of sleep and you download the demo on Steam and experience a retro-fueled adventure like no other! And let us know what you think of the game in the comments.
