Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 82 | 18 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 88% | 82 | 9 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 100% | 97 | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 1 reviews sampled · 0 total reviews in window · weighted 0.1 up / 0 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (9)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 85
“FZ: Formation Z successfully modernizes a forgotten classic while staying true to its original spirit. Its fun transformation mechanics, satisfying action, and replayability shine, though outdated design choices like the lack of saving and limited progression variety make it feel stuck between nostalgia and modern expectations.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“I sure hope you like replaying early stages over and over again to get points to unlock better ships. The inconsistent framerate and changing resolution genuinely does not help here on Switch 2.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“FZ: Formation Z is a side-scrolling shoot 'em up and run-and-gun game, making it an interesting combination of genres that work fairly well but don't feel fully utilized. The game is very short, though, and while it's designed around replayability, I didn't feel a reason to keep playing after a couple of runs. While I still recommend giving it a shot, I only see fans of the genre sticking with it.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“FZ: Formation Z is a damn fun shoot ’em up, even if it feels a little light on content for its asking price. Yes, it offers several difficulty options and plenty of unlockable mechs, but there are still only five stages, which won’t take much more than an hour to clear. Even less once you start flying through them and learn where all the ship fuel pickups are. It definitely has the feel of a lower budget AA release, but I think Granzella has done a great job crafting a shoot ’em up that’s simply fun to play while still offering a decent challenge at times, unlike a certain R-Type Dimensions 3. It’s a great experience that’s ultimately let down by its price.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“FZ: Formation Z attempts to recreate a classic arcade experience with modern hardware and improved gameplay. It succeeded at creating a stellar mecha experience that is rich in replay value and ideal for Macross fans. However, its shortcomings hold it back from being an overall solid game, and it did not need to be this way. If a player is willing to forgive these issues, they will overall have a good time.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“FZ: Formation Z is a wonderful and creative shmup, with a cool transforming ship and stretching stages full of routes to explore.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“FZ: Formation Z captures the essence of the original title very well, but this may only appeal to older players who experienced that era. Compared to more recent titles, the lack of options and game modes, coupled with the increased difficulty, ultimately affects the overall experience and alienates younger audiences from a game that, in addition to having a great legacy, has excellent elements for the genre.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“FZ: Formation Z is a very faithful revival of a classic idea, brought into the present without losing its arcade identity. Its strength lies in the constant transformation between robot and spaceship, which sustains the entire experience even in its more uneven moments. It's a demanding, straightforward game that stays true to its promises from the very first minute.”
read full review ↗ - 81
“Playing FZ: Formation Z really clicked with me thanks to its super-challenging gameplay and clever transformation mechanic that makes each impressively intricate stage shine with possibilities. 🤖”
read full review ↗
SECTOR.sk
Seafoam Gaming
Final Weapon
WayTooManyGames
8Bit/Digi
Loot Level Chill
GameBlast
33bits
Video ChumsPatch history
No patch announcements found on Steam yet.