”Is this a remaster of an old game?” — Looking at the atmosphere of the screen, it is only natural to think so. However, ”Changeable Guardian ESTIQUE” is a completely new 8-bit shooting game created in the Reiwa era. Its defining feature is that it does not simply adopt pixel art to look retro, but thoroughly pursues the nostalgic 8-bit taste itself. It evokes feelings of ”I used to play games like this in the past,” while the gap of actually being born in modern times is intriguing and conveys a deep love for good old gaming culture. Furthermore, since both the Japanese and North American versions with different stories are included, you can enjoy the differences between each. In the gallery mode, you can view printed materials and various visuals, offering collectible enjoyment that extends beyond the main game.

The core of the game is a side-scrolling shooter where you clear all 6 stages themed around cities across the globe. You might think, ”Then I just need to keep shooting and dodging enemies, right?” but it is not that simple. The super-transformable robot ”ESTIQUE” controlled by the player has two forms, ”Fighter Form” and ”Robot Form,” which can be switched at any time. The Fighter Form has a small vertical hit box, making it reliable when you want to dodge enemy attacks. On the other hand, the Robot Form can nullify damage caused by terrain and excels in recovery. Reading the battle situation and transforming accordingly, such as ”This spot is narrow, so let's break through with the Fighter” or ”The terrain is dangerous, so let's become the Robot,” is key, and you also need to switch between two types of equipment depending on the situation. Rather than just continuous shooting, the fun of instantly judging ”Which form and which weapon is best right now?” creates a strategic element unique to this title.

While playing with a mentality of ”I'm satisfied as long as I can defeat the enemy!” is perfectly fine, shooting game fans will likely want to aim for a high score. That is where the special move ”Super Weapon,” which can be activated by repeatedly pressing the shot button, shines. Because this mechanic is tied to scoring, it creates another layer of fun in aiming for a higher score rather than just safely clearing stages. Initially, prioritize survival, and as you get used to the controls and enemy placements, master transformation and equipment, and eventually challenge score attacks incorporating the Super Weapon. Since players can change their goals according to their own improvement, the game possesses a depth that makes you want to play repeatedly despite being a simple side-scrolling shooter.

There is no need to brace yourself thinking, ”It sounds difficult, so maybe I can't do it...” just because it is a classic-style shooter. This title adopts a life system that recovers over time and intentionally eliminates power-up elements that tend to become complicated, making it accessible to play. Instead of a harsh design where you only learn by dying, you can overcome dangerous situations while utilizing the recovery mechanic, making it easy to challenge even for those unfamiliar with the genre. Yet, as you improve, there is more room to think, such as switching between Fighter and Robot forms, choosing between two types of equipment, and scoring with the Super Weapon. The design of ”Easy to pick up, deep to master” is a major appeal of this title aimed at both beginners and veterans.

What is particularly appealing about ”Changeable Guardian ESTIQUE” is that it is not satisfied with merely reproducing the nostalgic 8-bit style, but properly incorporates gameplay elements that can be enjoyed today. Set across 6 stages, instantly switch between two forms, select equipment, and make full use of the Super Weapon to aim for a high score. At first glance, it looks like a nostalgic side-scrolling shooter, but when you actually face it, it is packed with mechanics that make you want to try things like ”Let's transform at this moment next time” or ”Maybe I can earn points more efficiently.” It can be called a work that brings nostalgia and freshness to generations who know retro games, and the fun of experiencing a unique gaming culture to generations who do not know the 8-bit era. ”What happens if you seriously create an 8-bit shooter in the Reiwa era?” — It is a title that makes you want to pick up the controller yourself to find the answer.