Glowy

Overview

Glowy presents itself as a straightforward side-scrolling shooter with distinctive glowing visuals, but early impressions reveal a game caught between inspiration and execution. While its accessible approach and multidirectional enemy patterns offer moments of engagement, the experience lacks the polish and depth that define the genre's standout titles. It's the kind of shooter that feels competent yet unremarkable—a brief diversion rather than a memorable addition to your library.

Accessible Shooting with Directional Twists

Glowy's core gameplay follows familiar side-scrolling shooter conventions, with players primarily shooting rightward at incoming enemies. What sets it apart is the deliberate inclusion of threats from all directions—above, below, and behind—a design choice that often frustrates in similar games but feels reasonably implemented here. The multidirectional combat creates dynamic moments where spatial awareness becomes crucial, though the overall challenge remains modest compared to genre standards. This isn't a bullet-hell experience demanding pixel-perfect precision, but rather a more approachable arcade-style shooter where newcomers can find their footing without overwhelming pressure.

While it does have the glowing outlines down, it neither has the polish, nor gameplay.

Gohst

Visual Identity and Execution

The game's aesthetic immediately recalls ABA Games classics like Tumiki Fighters and Gunroar with its neon-drenched enemy designs and stark backgrounds. The glowing visual signature lives up to the game's name, creating striking silhouettes against dark backdrops. However, this stylistic choice isn't matched by corresponding refinement in animation or environmental detail. Enemy movements feel functional rather than fluid, and the overall presentation lacks the tactile feedback that makes combat truly satisfying. While the visual approach establishes clear identity, it doesn't evolve meaningfully throughout the experience, leaving the aesthetic feeling more like a surface-level homage than a fully realized artistic vision.