What Revolgear Zero is
Revolgear Zero is an arcade-style side-scrolling shmup with fast combat and a lot of build variety. You pilot one of two advanced fighters, the Pheasant or the Dove, and fight through waves of enemies and bosses across seven stages, each with four difficulty levels. The story follows Shizuku and Akane, two pilots who start as rivals and end up bonded through a psychic link between their ships while a force called Xeno threatens their home planet. Both characters are voiced, and their dialogue shifts depending on the situation.
Playing it with friends
Local co-op is the headline way to play together: the Duo Play Mode puts two players in the same run, one flying the Pheasant and one the Dove. If a mode allows it, you can also bring in an Algorithmic AI partner instead of a second human. Boost Mode is the other main mode, letting you alter game rules for cooperative play or for a high-score run, and the two main modes together lead to six different endings. Remote Play Together is supported, so one person can host and others join in from their own machines.
Load-outs and progression
Weapons are the core of the game. The Bit Shoot gives a boomerang-style multi-directional melee attack, the burst system fires a heavy energy beam, and there are flamethrowers, burst lasers and many more on top of that. Mixing and matching them yields over 2,000 equipment combinations, so each player can build around their own preference rather than following one correct setup. Unlocks come as you play, and an in-game shop lets you spend earned currency on custom weapons and gear. Mission mode adds 30 challenges built around specific weapons and techniques, which is a good way to learn parts of the kit you would not otherwise touch.
Before you start
Pick your difficulty early, since four levels are available from the start and the higher ones assume solid movement and weapon knowledge. Extra lives and score both come from playing well, so score-chasing is a real part of the loop. Controller is fully supported, and keyboard and mouse work too. There is also a strange bonus game called "God of Cats" tucked in alongside the main content, plus in-game achievements for the completion-minded.