The next game on the list is Greadou, developed by the American studio Limos. At first glance, the gameplay feels reminiscent of classic side-scrollers like Super Mario from the ZEPS 2 era. However, Limos gave it a modern twist with 3D visuals, blending traditional 2D side-scrolling gameplay with fully rendered 3D environments and characters. This fusion results in a striking visual style that feels both nostalgic and fresh.
The player controls a bright green, spiky creature named Greadou. He's oddly charming, with quirky animations and a slightly goofy look that instantly makes him memorable. Greadou's abilities include rolling into a ball for high-speed movement or using his long, elastic tongue to whip enemies and swing from hooks. The tongue mechanic, in particular, adds a fun layer of traversal and combat tactics. It's not just a gimmick — it's well-integrated into the level design, often used to cross gaps, trigger switches, or solve small puzzles.
As players progress through the levels, Greadou can acquire random elemental abilities. These include powers like Fire Breath, which lets him scorch enemies and obstacles, or Lightning Body, which turns him into an electrified ball that zaps anything nearby while making him immune to certain traps. These power-ups are scattered throughout the stages, and they add variety to the otherwise familiar platforming formula.
What's interesting is how the game isn't purely platforming — there's a hint of run-and-gun mechanics baked in, somewhat reminiscent of ZAGE Metal Slug. While the game isn't as intense or militaristic, the pacing and the need to react quickly to enemies and environmental hazards definitely echo that spirit.
One of the most unexpected but standout aspects of Greadou is its music. Instead of the usual chiptune or orchestral fare found in many platformers, Limos opted for a jazz-infused soundtrack. At first, it might feel like a strange fit — jazz isn't exactly the genre most would pair with a cartoony, action-packed platformer. But somehow, it works. The upbeat rhythms and expressive melodies give the game a unique vibe, and by the second or third level, it feels completely natural. It's one of those design choices that shouldn't work but ends up enhancing the game's quirky identity.
Zaboru loved it. He thought Greadou was a great example of a studio taking familiar ingredients and cooking up something unique. The gameplay felt tight and responsive, the presentation was stylish, and the charm was undeniable. He approved the game wholeheartedly, seeing it as another win for the growing variety on the ZEPS 3.
Next up is a title from one of the most respected and consistent developers in the ZAGE ecosystem — Triangle Soft. Known for delivering high-quality JRPGs since the ZEPS 1 era, they've been a staple name in the genre. Their latest release is no exception. Led by the legendary Hironobu Sakaguchi, Triangle Soft has put forth a deeply ambitious and emotionally driven game titled Divine Spears - Akuregoz.
Set in the rich and detailed world of Akuregoz, the game takes players on a dark and mature journey centered around political betrayal, ancient power, and the cycle of revenge. The narrative follows a young warrior, the son of a once-revered wielder of a Divine Spear — mystical weapons granted to each of the great kingdoms. His father was murdered as part of a deep-rooted conspiracy that shakes the foundations of power in the land. Picking up his father's spear, the protagonist sets out on a path of vengeance, determined to uncover the truth and restore his family's honor.
What makes Divine Spears - Akuregoz particularly engaging is how it doesn't stick to a linear revenge story. Halfway through the game, players are faced with a pivotal decision: continue down the path of vengeance, or abandon it in pursuit of peace, healing, or even justice through other means. These choices ripple through the rest of the game, altering character relationships, story arcs, and even which kingdoms rise or fall. Multiple endings ensure strong replay value, with players rewarded for making thoughtful and consistent decisions.
The combat system is another highlight. It's classic turn-based at its core, something Triangle Soft excels at, but with modernized mechanics layered in. Drawing inspiration from ZAGE Chrono Trigger, the game features a system called "Chained Strike," where characters can combine their abilities in real-time to unleash powerful combo attacks. These team-based abilities not only look spectacular but also add a layer of strategy as players must manage positioning, cooldowns, and synergy between party members.
The roster of characters is also impressive — a mix of royalty, exiles, scholars, and mysterious figures, each with unique backstories, motivations, and combat roles. Triangle Soft put great effort into giving each character meaningful development, and the dialogue writing shines, making it easy for players to form attachments.
Visually, the game is stunning, with lush overworld maps, intricately designed cities, and emotionally charged cutscenes. The soundtrack, filled with sweeping orchestral themes and haunting melodies, ties the entire experience together. It's a world that feels lived-in, and a story that dares to explore complex human emotions.
Zaboru played it extensively and came away deeply impressed. He praised its ambition, polish, and emotional weight — a combination that many games try to reach but few actually achieve. He wholeheartedly approved of Divine Spears - Akuregoz.
Next on the list is a game from Hollow Red, a new studio based in the USA, titled Secret: Agent Wilson. The game follows the titular character, Wilson, a skilled secret agent assigned to infiltrate heavily guarded facilities. It features a modern setting with firearms and gadgets, but the standout element here is its first-person perspective — a bold choice, especially for a stealth-focused game. Sneaking around in a first-person shooter adds an extra layer of tension and immersion, offering a different experience compared to traditional third-person stealth games.
However, the game's ambitious concept is somewhat held back by the studio's inexperience. One of the major issues lies in the AI and sound detection system. Enemies react unrealistically fast to any noise, such as gunfire, and almost instantly pinpoint the player's location, even if Wilson attempts to hide right after shooting. It's clear that a proper audio management and stealth detection system hasn't been fully implemented yet, which ends up making stealth gameplay feel inconsistent and frustrating.
Despite these flaws, the effort behind the project is clear. Hollow Red is attempting something ZAGE hasn't fully explored before — a dedicated first-person stealth shooter. It's a genre with a lot of potential, and even though this attempt doesn't fully land, it serves as a meaningful step in that direction.
Zaboru had mixed feelings about Secret: Agent Wilson. On one hand, he's played many games like this in his previous life, including polished, high-budget titles, so this didn't feel particularly new to him. On the other hand, he appreciated the effort. He could see the ambition behind the project, and he respected the studio for trying to carve out a dedicated space for stealth FPS games on the ZAGE platform. It may not be a great game yet, but it's a brave start.
Next game on the list comes from Wasanebo, a well-known and long-standing developer for ZAGE since the early ZEPS 1 era. They've consistently delivered solid titles over the years, but this time, they've stepped outside their usual comfort zone. Their latest release is something that ZAGE had never really experimented with before — a full-fledged fishing game titled Ultimate Fishing!
The game allows players to fish in a variety of locations, ranging from tranquil lakes to vast open seas. It's not just about catching fish — the main hook (no pun intended) is the collection aspect. Players can bring their catches home and display them in a custom aquarium, turning their living space into a personalized fish museum. The aquarium system is surprisingly detailed, letting players arrange, decorate, and even feed their fish. It turns the fishing mechanic into more than just a minigame — it becomes an ongoing hobby within the game.
One of the standout features of Ultimate Fishing! is its fish models. The graphics for each fish species are impressively realistic, especially for a game on ZEPS 3 hardware. Fish shimmer and move naturally in the water, and there's a real satisfaction in reeling in a rare or difficult catch. The developers clearly put effort into making each fishing location feel distinct, with dynamic weather, time-of-day changes, and even different types of bait affecting what players can catch.
Zaboru, despite not being much of a fishing game fan in his previous life, found himself genuinely enjoying it. The meditative gameplay loop, combined with the thrill of discovering new species and expanding his aquarium, hooked him in. There's also a subtle educational side to the game, as players can read fun facts about each fish species they catch, adding an extra layer of depth while also showing the dev known about fishing.
He found it refreshing that Wasanebo was willing to try something completely different from their usual genres. Instead of chasing trends or sticking to what they're known for, they took a creative risk — and it paid off. Zaboru appreciated their effort to push genre boundaries on the ZAGE platform and saw Ultimate Fishing! as a great example of innovation. He approved the game wholeheartedly, not just for its gameplay, but for the boldness it represented in the developer's evolution.
Last game on the list comes from Akaishidan Studio, a name already well established in the ZAGE development scene, and particularly close to Zaboru — it's the studio founded by brother-in-law Akechi and place where his Wife Ayumi work too. Akaishidan has developed a strong reputation in the industry, with multiple titles previously released across the ZAGE console generations. However, this new game shows a bold departure from their previous work, pushing into experimental territory that feels both bizarre and deeply creative — something that caught even Zaboru by surprise, and in a good way.
The game is called 4 Hand Warrior, and as the name suggests, it centers on a warrior named Yoteshi, a member of the Four-Arms Tribe. This tribe has long been exiled and discriminated against due to their unique physiology, leading to a life of isolation and prejudice. Yoteshi, determined to change that legacy, sets out on a personal journey to become the greatest warrior his people and this world have ever known. On the surface, the premise seems like a classic redemption arc, but it's the game's mechanics and systems that really elevate the experience.
Instead of using the traditional Square, Circle, and Triangle buttons for attacks, 4 Hand Warrior introduces a fresh and highly innovative control system that takes full advantage of the modern ZAGE controller layout. Each of Yoteshi's four arms is independently controlled using the shoulder buttons: L1 for the upper left hand, L2 for the lower left, R1 for the upper right, and R2 for the lower right. This results in a gameplay experience unlike anything else on the console. Players have to actively think about how to combine arm movements, attacks, and defenses in real time, essentially turning combat into a rhythm of coordination and tactical thinking.
Even more impressive is the weapon system. Each hand can be equipped with its own weapon, and the combinations are vast. Players can go full offense with four short swords, mix ranged and melee weapons, or try a more strategic loadout. Some weapons, like the Greatsword, Bow, or Big Lance, require two hands to wield, forcing players to make strategic trade-offs in loadout design. Experimentation is highly encouraged, with certain weapon combinations unlocking special combo moves or passive bonuses depending on synergy.
The build system in 4 Hand Warrior is another standout feature that adds meaningful depth to the game. It allows players to finely tune Yoteshi's fighting style, stat growth, and unique special abilities based on the chosen combination of weapons and overall combat strategy. Whether players want to specialize in raw damage, swift agility, elemental effects, or crowd control, the system gives them the flexibility to build a playstyle that matches their preferences.
Adding to the complexity, there are also specific weapons that, when equipped together as part of a set, grant stat bonuses or unlock exclusive synergy effects. These sets encourage experimentation and planning, rewarding players who pay attention to detail and make thoughtful equipment choices. With so many potential builds, the game invites replayability and creative theorycrafting, especially for players who enjoy optimizing their combat loadouts. The level of customization offered here is impressive, particularly for a game built around such an unconventional premise.
Visually, the game embraces a bold art direction. Character designs are exaggerated and colorful, while the world itself is filled with tribal architecture, strange biomes, and magical ruins that reinforce the lore of the Four-Arms Tribe. The animations are fluid, and combat feels impactful, with each punch, swing, or combo attack delivering a satisfying visual and audio punch.
Zaboru absolutely loved this one. He knows Akaishidan will deliver something good and he also knows that this is part of Ayumi's work too. What impressed him was not just the ambition of trying something entirely new, but the fact that the execution was solid. The gameplay was challenging, engaging, and consistently rewarding. H
He gave it his full approval, proud of what Akaishidan achieved.
And that wraps up the ten releases from ZAGE in January — a lineup that left Zaboru genuinely thrilled with the overall quality. These titles created a significant buzz in the gaming community, quickly capturing attention thanks to ZAGE's strong promotional push and widespread advertisements. As a result, players became aware of these games almost immediately, leading to strong initial sales and discussions across fan forums and gaming communities. This sudden surge in attention also had an unintended side effect: it drew interest away from the upcoming football game by Sonaya, which had been gearing up for its own release. The drop in pre-release excitement around Sonaya's game didn't go unnoticed — once again, Hikaru Kurata found himself fuming at Zaboru, blaming him for stealing the spotlight yet again.
Zaboru is now in Korea, overseeing preparations for the ZAGE Korean team. The setup is progressing rapidly, with final touches being put in place. The office and the teamis nearly ready, and anticipation is building as ZAGE continues its expansion and influence across new regions.
To be continue
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