Zoe Begone!

“Zoe Begone! is a fascinating paradox. On the one hand, it's one of the most visually stunning and creative indie games of 2025. The hand-drawn aesthetic, vibrant presentation, and unique atmosphere are simply exceptional. The dedication and passion of solo developer Graeme Hawkins are palpable in every frame. On the other hand, the control issues and sometimes frustrating difficulty prevent the game from reaching its full potential. The "groove"—that flow state you experience in good bullet-hell shooters—never quite materializes. You're fighting the controls more than the enemies, which is fatal in a genre that relies on precision and reflexes. Nevertheless, for the right target audience, Zoe Begone! is an absolute hidden gem. The combination of visual brilliance, satisfying progression, and addictive high-score chase makes the game, despite its flaws, a must-play for hardcore shooter fans. At a price of around 8 euros, the risk is manageable, and the chance of getting a truly unique gaming experience is high.”

“ZOE Begone! is a vibrant, loud, and mechanically deep shooter. It’s a love letter to arcade history and a showcase of solo-developer creativity that shouldn't be slept on.”

“ZOE Begone! is a wonderfully created but brutally difficult SHMUP, that despite looking cute and cuddly, will challenge even the most adept players.”

“ZOE Begone! is as intriguing as it is enjoyable, and once you battle its steep learning curve you'll be rewarded with an utterly fantastic shmup.”

“With an undeniably unique flow, controls, and challenges, this is a wild and creative shooter… but it also has some rough edges”

“A bit of style over substance, with Zoe Begone!’s controls proving too big a hurdle in getting to the fun for my tastes.”

“ZOE Begone! is a classic shmup; bullets everywhere, and points to rack up. With it’s responsive gameplay, unique art style, and sound, it is a joy to play. It is gloriously addictive and can sit proudly alongside the likes of Cuphead as a shoot-em-up, providing you with that incredibly rewarding feeling when you succeed, and can finally get some well-earned sleep!”

“If you love a hearty challenge as much as I do and have a fondness for arcade-style shooters, you'll absolutely adore ZOE Begone!”