Irem Collection Vol.1 review: a cult shooter bundle that could go further

A solid collection of challenging, anime and HR-Giger inspired retro shooters.

rem Collection Volume 1 review ; a small spaceshp attacks an alien creature
(Image: © Inin Games)

Our Verdict

Three good retro games show how design can evolve, but these games aren't revolutionary. The Irem Collection Vol.1 could have used more added features, like a concept art archive or scanned manuals.

For

  • Three solid retro games
  • Multiple retro format releases
  • Good gameplay options

Against

  • No concept art or manuals
  • Image Fight 2 lacks translation

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Irem Collection Vol.1 details

rem Collection Volume 1 review; a spaceship with tentacles

(Image credit: Inin Games)

Publisher Inin Games
Developer
Irem, Tozai Games
Price
£19.99 (digital), £29.99 (physical), £79.28 (physical collector's edition)
Release
Out now

When it comes to retro shooters Irem Collection Vol.1 ticks a lot of boxes; it packs in three games in a mix of platform types that cover some of the best retro consoles of the era, from original arcade to NES and PC Engine CD-ROM² releases. A mix of ways to play, including a rewind mode and cheats that add to the package, but this collection can't escape the limited nature of these retro games.

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The Verdict
5

out of 10

Irem Collection Vol.1 review: a cult shooter bundle that could go further

Three good retro games show how design can evolve, but these games aren't revolutionary. The Irem Collection Vol.1 could have used more added features, like a concept art archive or scanned manuals.

Editor, Digital Arts & 3D

Ian Dean is Editor, Digital Arts & 3D at Creative Bloq, and the former editor of many leading magazines. These titles included ImagineFX, 3D World and video game titles Play and Official PlayStation Magazine. Ian launched Xbox magazine X360 and edited PlayStation World. For Creative Bloq, Ian combines his experiences to bring the latest news on digital art, VFX and video games and tech, and in his spare time he doodles in Procreate, ArtRage, and Rebelle while finding time to play Xbox and PS5.