An indie developer just announced something genuinely interesting: a pseudo-3D shooter that prioritizes story as much as action, with beginner-friendly controls that don’t sacrifice depth. ULTRA0, developed by Peng and published by PenGames, is scheduled for 2026 and represents a refreshing approach to the shooting genre. This isn’t a roguelike. This isn’t a bullet-hell. This is a structured narrative experience with shooting mechanics built to welcome new players while still offering challenge for veterans.
What Makes ULTRA0 Different
ULTRA0 is structured as two alternating experiences: shooting segments and visual novel segments. The shooting portion uses pseudo-3D gameplay similar to classics like Space Harrier or Panzer Dragoon, where your character moves forward automatically and you focus on dodging and attacking. The controls are deliberately simple. Movement is controlled with a stick, and once you aim at an enemy, your character attacks automatically. Your job is dodging incoming fire and unleashing bombs and skills at the perfect moment.
What separates ULTRA0 from other shooters is that the visual novel portions are equally important to the experience. The game is set in “N Country,” which is under invasion by “Kaiju” (giant monsters). Young girls have been conscripted to fight on the front lines equipped with weapons based on Kaiju technology. The story explores the human cost of this endless war and how different characters cope with the stress of constant battle. Between shooting stages, you’ll experience substantial narrative content focused on character development and plot progression.
The Gameplay Loop: Action and Story
During shooting segments, your phone receives messages from allies. These aren’t just flavor text. They range from tactical battle updates to casual everyday conversations, gradually developing the story as you progress. The messages add context to what you’re fighting for and build relationships with characters you’ll meet in the visual novel sections. This integration of story and action creates a cohesive experience where narrative and gameplay reinforce each other.
The shooting mechanics themselves are accessible without being trivial. You collect power-up items randomly during combat, building your character’s strength as you progress through levels. You can also spend “GEMs” (currency earned from defeating enemies) to purchase items. There’s luck involved too—items you collect might have doubled or tripled effects if fortune smiles on you. This creates moments of exciting randomness that reward skilled play.
Changing Protagonists, Changing Perspectives
A unique design choice is that the main protagonist changes with each chapter. You’ll follow different characters as they experience the war from their unique perspectives. As you progress, you unlock playable characters, encouraging you to experience different storylines and combat styles. This structure keeps the narrative fresh and ensures that the visual novel portions have time to develop meaningful character arcs without feeling rushed.
The developers specifically note that ULTRA0 features a “large volume” of novel segments compared to typical shooting games. This isn’t a minor addition. The balance between shooting and story appears genuinely 50/50, making it as much a narrative adventure as it is an action game. For players tired of story-light shooters, this emphasis on narrative is refreshing.
Design Philosophy: Accessibility Without Sacrifice
Peng’s design philosophy for ULTRA0 centers on making shooting games approachable for beginners without compromising depth. Simple controls mean new players won’t be overwhelmed by complex button combinations. Automatic attack means you can focus on the important decision-making: when to dodge, when to use bombs, which power-ups to prioritize. Veterans will appreciate the tactical depth available through skill and item selection, while newcomers can enjoy the experience without hours of learning curve.
This accessibility extends to the game’s presentation as well. Pseudo-3D graphics are visually distinct and easy to parse compared to more complex 3D environments. Enemy patterns appear designed to be readable and learnable rather than unfairly chaotic. The game is being positioned as something you can enjoy in short bursts or extended sessions without commitment anxiety.
The Japanese Development Perspective
What’s notable is that ULTRA0 comes from indie developer Peng, based in Japan. The game was announced at Gamespress and will be demonstrated at Tokyo Game Dungeon 10 on November 9, 2025. This Japanese perspective brings a particular sensibility to game design—an emphasis on polish, character depth, and elegant mechanical design. The anime-inspired visual style and story-focused approach feel distinctly influenced by Japanese game design philosophy.
The announcement materials note that Peng will be at the Tokyo Game Dungeon booth to speak with players directly. This hands-on developer approach suggests genuine passion for the project and willingness to iterate based on feedback. For a 2026 release, having this kind of community engagement during development is encouraging.
Coming to Steam in 2026
ULTRA0 is scheduled for the first half of 2026 on Steam for Windows 10 and Windows 11. Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but given the scope described (multiple playable characters, substantial visual novel content, multiple shooting stages), expect a mid-tier indie price point. Wishlist numbers are already growing, with community members expressing excitement about the unique hybrid approach.
The fact that Peng is giving substantial development time before release is encouraging. Too many games launch unfinished. ULTRA0 appears positioned to arrive as a complete, polished experience with all intended features ready. The delay until 2026 should allow for thorough testing, balancing, and narrative refinement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ULTRA0?
ULTRA0 is a pseudo-3D shooting game combined with visual novel segments. It features beginner-friendly controls, a story focused on young soldiers fighting giant monsters, and character-driven narrative that alternates with action gameplay.
When is ULTRA0 releasing?
ULTRA0 is scheduled for the first half of 2026 on Steam. The exact release date hasn’t been announced yet, but you can add it to your Steam wishlist now.
What platforms will ULTRA0 be on?
Currently, ULTRA0 is confirmed for Windows 10 and Windows 11 on Steam. Console releases haven’t been announced, though porting to other platforms is possible after initial launch.
How much will ULTRA0 cost?
Pricing hasn’t been announced yet. Given the scope of content (multiple characters, substantial story content, multiple shooting stages), expect a mid-tier indie game price, likely between $15-25.
What is the gameplay like?
ULTRA0 alternates between two experiences: pseudo-3D shooting segments where you dodge and attack enemies automatically, and visual novel segments that develop the story and character relationships. Simple controls (movement with stick, automatic attack) make it accessible to new players.
Who is the developer?
ULTRA0 is developed by Peng, an indie game developer based in Japan. The game is published by PenGames. The developer is planning to attend Tokyo Game Dungeon 10 on November 9, 2025 to demonstrate the game.
Is ULTRA0 a roguelike or roguelite?
No. ULTRA0 is a structured narrative experience with a story that progresses through multiple chapters. Each chapter features a different protagonist, and characters unlock as you progress. It’s not procedurally generated or focused on endless runs.
How much of the game is shooting versus story?
The developers describe ULTRA0 as having a significantly larger proportion of visual novel content compared to typical shooting games. The balance appears to be approximately 50/50 between shooting and narrative.
Can I play the same character throughout the game?
No. The main protagonist changes with each chapter, though you can unlock additional playable characters to experience their stories and gameplay styles. This structure ensures varied perspectives and keeps the narrative fresh.
What is the story of ULTRA0?
ULTRA0 is set in “N Country,” which is being invaded by giant monsters called “Kaiju.” Young girls have been conscripted to fight on the front lines using weapons based on Kaiju technology. The story explores the human cost of this endless war and how different characters cope with constant battle.
Is ULTRA0 difficult?
The game is designed to be accessible to beginners while offering depth for experienced players. Simple controls and automatic attack make it beginner-friendly, but tactical elements like power-up management and timing provide challenge for skilled players.
Conclusion
ULTRA0 represents a thoughtful approach to game design that respects both accessibility and depth. By combining beginner-friendly shooting mechanics with substantial narrative content, Peng is creating something that appeals to both action game enthusiasts and visual novel fans. The emphasis on story in a traditionally action-light genre is refreshing. The character-driven narrative with changing protagonists suggests real thought went into the overall experience. The scheduled 2026 release gives the developer time to polish and refine without rushing to market. For players seeking something different from typical indie shooters, ULTRA0 is absolutely worth wishlisting on Steam. For fans of Japanese game design sensibilities and story-focused experiences, this could be a genuine sleeper hit. Mark November 9 on your calendar if you want to see the game in action at Tokyo Game Dungeon, or simply add ULTRA0 to your Steam wishlist and prepare for 2026. This is the kind of innovative genre-blending that keeps indie gaming vibrant and surprising.