Zoe Begone! A Papercraft Bullet-Hell Odyssey

XPN Network
Sep 21
3 min read

Zoe Begone! casts you as Zoe, a plucky green triangle armed with a trusty blaster, on a cinematic quest to thwart the Animator, a rogue artist bent on rewriting reality. Each of the game’s “Films” unfolds like a looping reel, sending Zoe sprinting, dashing, and soaring through hand-drawn backdrops as waves of ink-and-paper adversaries pour onto the screen.

The story threads a whimsical yarn about creativity versus chaos, using each loop to reveal more of Zoe’s world and the Animator’s twisted gallery, as dialogue bubbles pop and vanish in sketched text boxes.

Visually, the game looks like someone hacked a craft table and brought every paper cut-out to life. Watercolor backgrounds, origami-inspired foes, and confetti-like explosions turn what could be overwhelming chaos into a charming, storybook battlefield. The soundtrack matches the mood perfectly, with bouncy chiptunes keeping you pumped during the loops and epic orchestral hits that kick in right when you face down a boss. Subtle details like the crinkle of cardboard footsteps or the pop of dialogue bubbles make you feel like you’re inside a pop-up book.

Playing feels like a high-octane dance between ground combat and mid-air acrobatics. On land, Zoe can fire in five directions, strafing through tight corridors of bullets. Hold down jump and she transforms into a messy blur of wings and gunfire, letting you weave through dense skies but only shoot left and right. Add a dash that ties both modes together, and you’ve got this neat rhythm of dive, blast, dash, soar, repeat. It’s thrilling once you get it, but early on you might find yourself accidentally flying into a hail of ink more than once.

Progress comes down to collecting apples. Yes, I wasn't mistyping that, apples. These crunchy currency bits let you grab shields, weapon tweaks, and fun skins at the in-film shop. Your first few loops are gentle pattern lessons, but by loop three or four, things explode into a manic storm of projectiles. There’s no easy mode slider here; if you’re struggling, you can either spend apples on a power-up or just keep practicing until those patterns stick. It’s a satisfying loop of “try, fail, learn, spend, repeat” that keeps you hooked.

In terms of accessibility, Zoe Begone! is a mixed bag. I love how quick each run is. You can jump in for five minutes, get wiped out, and instantly be back at it. That’s perfect for bite-sized sessions. But there are no colourblind settings or control remapping, which could trip up some players.

Compared to pillars like Ikaruga or Danmaku Unlimited, Zoe Begone! leans harder into narrative charm and visual flourishes than razor-sharp scoring systems. It doesn’t boast an elaborate combo meter or rank grading beyond high-score tables, but its inventive level loops and in-flight mechanics carve out a distinct identity. The result is less a pure bullet-hell simulation and more an action-platformer with a bullet-hell heart, inviting both seasoned fans and curious newcomers to discover its handcrafted loops and modular difficulty.

Pros:

Absolutely charming hand-crafted art style
Addictive loop-based levels that teach and test you
Energetic soundtrack that fits every moment
Quick retries make frustration short-lived

Cons:

Dual control schemes take time to master
No formal difficulty or assist options
Missing colourblind filters and in-game remapping
Score system is basic compared to top bullet-hells

Zoe Begone! strikes a delightful balance between handcrafted charm and relentless action. Its narrative conceit, pitting a simple triangle hero against a rogue Animator introduces personality to patterns that might otherwise feel repetitive. The papercraft art style and energizing soundtrack elevate each Film level from mere bullet-hell gauntlet to a living storybook. While veterans may miss deeper scoring mechanics, the game’s loop-based design and in-level shops make every run feel purposeful, whether you’re chasing a high-score milestone or simply savouring the scenery.

However, the same design choices that give Zoe Begone! its unique flavour also limit its universal appeal. Control nuances can intimidate newcomers, and the lack of accessibility options feels like a missed opportunity for broader inclusion. Despite these drawbacks, the game offers a gratifying learning curve for those willing to master its rhythms and experiment with power-up strategies. In a crowded genre, Zoe Begone! distinguishes itself with personality and pace, making it a solid recommendation for players seeking both challenge and charm. Plus at the low, low price of £8.39 you can't go wrong!

XPN Rating: 4 out of 5 (GOLD)