Galak-Z: The Dimensional

A rogue-lite with more substance than most, Galak-Z is equal parts brutal and beautiful. If you can hang in long enough to conquer the steep difficulty curve, what lies within is a rewarding, nostalgic trip.

All in all, Galak-Z is an exciting new take on an old genre. It modernises the classic 2D shooter experience and pays homage to some much loved Japanese anime sci-fi in the process. Whilst it might prove too difficult and frustrating for some, there’s no denying that for those with enough patience and determination, it’s loads of fun to play.

Picking up and playing Galak-Z: The Dimensional is an experience not easily encapsulated in a few words. It’s challenging, whimsical, and a great throwback to a time when combat was deceptively simple. That being said, the game will not be for everyone. The aforementioned challenge and the game’s billing as a rogue-like means that players will fail, and that in itself may be a turn off, especially since there is a lot to like about the game from a design perspective. But we recommend pushing forward and learning the mechanics, because Galak-Z is a refreshing space shooter that brings some surp...

My hands are cramped claws. For the last several hours, I've been sneaking through asteroid tunnels and the guts of derelict dreadnaughts, shooting down imperial patrols in dogfights so intense that I've unwittingly gripped my controller tight enough to turn my fingertips white. Galak-Z can be a painful experience at times, but the white-hot action is worth the discomfort.

I wish Galak-Z: The Dimensional wasn’t so fragmented, because the core experience is a treat for roguelike and space combat fans alike. Even 15 hours through I was still seeing new items and upgrades, which is a testament to its lasting power, warts and all — I just need to take breaks from the tedium every so often.

Interstellar remains.