I'm glad this collection is available and I can enjoy the first ExZeus with the improved graphics from the mobile port, however there are some issues I have with this collection compared to having played the legacy version of ExZeus 2 on the Microsoft Store back when I had Windows 8.1 and the 2017 version when it was F2P on PC. In the case of ExZeus 1 however, I had to resort to emulating the PlayStation 2 version when I purchased ExZeus Arcade on the Google Play Store because HyperDevbox refused to fix the terrible DRM and offline servers need to install the rest of the game after purchase, essentially ripping off customers with a broken game. I complained to them multiple times in the past and they never listened nor refunded my money thanks to the horrible policies of Google Play. I'm not the only one with this problem with the mobile port of ExZeus 1 on Android, there are other customers, including those who purchased the game years ago before the server issue preventing the from being playable, who now have a useless game that is throwing money in the trash.

- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hyperdevbox.exzeus&hl=en_US&gl=US

That said, I have some issues I want to report with this collection:

• [General Issue] No remapping options for Keyboard or Controller on PC — I remember there was button remapping in the Legacy version of ExZeus 2, it was something I even reported to HyperDevbox on itch-io when ExZeus 2 used to be F2P and it was implemented when I reported the issue, but for some baffling reason there's no keyboard or controller remapping at all in this collection, and to make matters worse the keyboard layout is very awkward to use. Why did this collection regress on an essential PC functionality? This also brings up my next issue.

• [General Issue] No DualShock, Switch, or keyboard prompts — This another regression that I'm bothered by. The Legacy version of ExZeus 2 had keyboard prompts, though sadly it did not match the new keyboard bindings when changing keyboard configuration. There's also surprisingly no DualShock4/PlayStation 4 controller prompts for the PC version of this collection despite that it has native support for that controller, every input device — Generic DirectInput controllers, DualShock 4, and keyboard — all use Xbox prompts, which can be confusing for those playing with non-Xbox controller or playing on keyboard.

• [ExZeus 1 Issue] The game seems easier than the previous versions — I don't know if it's me, but the version of ExZeus 1 in this collection feels easier than the PlayStation 2 port of the game. I went through the first time with Sophia and got through it with a single credit and hardly didn't have to worry about losing too much energy with the way I took down enemies and bosses. At first I was being too good at the game, but when I did another run with Callista without upgrading its Energy meter, I was able to do another single credit clear with only a few times I was close to near death but didn't lose once.

• [General Issue] Getting high-scores is too easy — There's no consequences whatsoever for losing and continuing; you can easily credit-feed through these games and still have your high-score as shown in this video, thus rendering trying high-level playing meaningless: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJzO67MSKbA&t=456s

• [General Issue] Lack of features and settings from previous versions — In the previous versions of ExZeus 1 and 2 they had more options for things like screen shaking effects, game difficulty, Enemy and Boss Speeds, localization, controller rumble, and practically none of that are in this collection. See this video from the developer and this attached screenshot for an example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLa11Ah_nFQ&t=75s

• [General Issue] There's no way to quit the software without using a keyboard — The only way to quit the collection is by pressing Escape on keyboard, what that in of itself is a problem because most PC players are likely going to think that Escape would be the pause button only to find out the hard way that it closes the game instantly. There's no way that players can quit the game by using a controller in case players are playing the PC version with Steam Big Picture mode. There's also the issue of the game brings up an external launcher that many Unity games uses, meaning you'll have to use the keyboard anyway to even start the game to get past the graphics configuration menu.

• [General Issue] Unnecessary overuse of letterboxing — The original ExZeus 2 and even the mobile version of ExZeus 1 didn't use letterboxing nearly as often as this collection does and in some cases it can be distracting or obscure the screen. I don't feel it was necessary to use the letterboxing to make the controller prompts stand out because the controller prompts already have a subtle black background behind them to make them stand out. Here's an example in ExZeus 2 when compared to the Legacy versions: Legacy version: https://i.imgur.com/xJ5Goxb.png | Complete Collection version: https://i.imgur.com/BMnMSO6.png

I also feel it was unnecessary for ExZeus 1 to do this as well in places where they didn't have them originally in the mobile version.

• [Suggestion] The ability to turn off double-tapping Left/Right to dodge — I think this could help with playing on analog stick easier since there's already dedicated dodge buttons on the should and trigger buttons by turning the double tapping Left/Right on the stick/D-pad to dodge if desired.

• [Suggestion] The ability to turn off enemy introductions in ExZeus 2 — I feel that these brief but very frequent enemy introductions in ExZeus 2 too often interrupt the flow of gameplay and becomes especially annoying during repeat playthroughs.

• [Suggestion] Restore the multiple camera perspectives from the PlayStation 2 version in ExZeus 1 — The PlayStation 2 version of ExZeus 1 had a handy perspective switch button that changes the perspective from the default zoomed-in view, a somewhat pulled back view, and a bird's eye view then back to the default view and I was wondering if it could be possible to restore that feature into this new collection?

These are the issues and feedback I have with this collection at the moment. I hope this can be passed onto the development team for potential updates for this collection if there are plans for continued support for these games on current systems and PC, especially since ExZeus 1 never has been re-released up until this collection.

You did an impressive review of both games.

I don't like the limited credits although some arcade games have -0- continues.

I don't like not seeing the controls before the game.

I like the graphics and the almost 3D feel to it, like Space Harrier,

I'm happy with my purchase but this shooter pack could have been better and I don't see it selling that well when better shooters are on GOG and Steam.

How do you launch Part 2? It only lets me start ExZeus 1.

Use the left or right key when you see the ExZeus logo and the 3 robots.

OP> I'd like to add this (might echo you remark about letteboxing) :
For some reason putting the game in 1080 not windowed doesn't fill the screen and I suppose it's because it's ported from a fixed resolution not suited to 16:9 and all that... But that's no excuse. Especially using Unity.

I don't mind the game being "too easy" as I'm still getting my ass kicked on some levels because I can't really see or fell the incoming hits proper or time my dodges right (might be because of the wonky resolution mentioned above).and I don't mind easy high scores, I would also like a freeplay option as I don't always have the time nor energy to dedicate to high-level playing and derive little sense of accomplishment from it, more a feeling of exhaustion, but that's just my opinion on tthis last point.

I share your sentiment about the mediocre button mapping, the awkward keyboard reach and the barebones options. Would be nice to have a more customizable game.

All in all I'm happy about my purchase but it could indeed benefit from various little improvments (including more options, key remapping, and so on).

I also added another suggestion, bringing back a feature that was in the PS2 version of ExZeus 1 that provided more camera perspective to provide better visibility in third-person and it had a bird's eye view option too.

Two years later and nothing, and no sign of the lazy developers. And nothing was done to improve this duology either. I would add support for Mouse to the list, as it is unacceptable at the end of 2023, going into 2024, a game not to have support for Mouse! Do these developers think they are in the 80s? Just keyboard for those who don't have a Gamepad?! Holy crap... Sigma Team is an example for putting full Mouse support in their games; hey developers, follow the example of the good ones, follow the example of the Sigma Team guys!