PC Critic Reviews

SPRAWL zero subverts the boomer shooter by trading a permanent arsenal for weapons scavenged midfight, turning each arena into a frantic scramble for survival. Its striking cyberpunk world and relentless soundtrack make that familiar formula feel new again, while its story takes the SPRAWL universe in a compelling direction. Repetitive enemy encounters and limited progression dull the momentum at times, but this is a thrilling next step for a series finding its own identity.

I went into SPRAWL zero curious about the prequel and came out wanting to play SPRAWL itself, so that already tells you something. More importantly, it reminded me why I spent so many hours with shooters like Quake, Unreal Tournament and Painkiller in the first place. I didn’t need skill trees, crafting or a dozen side systems back then; I just needed good levels, good weapons and enemies that kept me moving. SPRAWL zero gets surprisingly close to that feeling, some levels run longer than they should, and there were moments where I really wanted a better idea of how much of a mission I still had left, but the shooting stayed fun enough to keep me going. Seven hours later, I was still enjoying myself and already looking at SPRAWL in my Steam cart. Guess I know what I’m playing next.

SPRAWL moves away from its predecessor’s frenetic parkour in favor of more grounded action built around unlimited sprinting, Bullet Time, a Gravity Shield, and Gravity Gloves. Yet, the core experience remains the constant cycling of weapons: you pick them up, empty their magazines, and toss them aside, while remotely summoning new firearms or environmental objects to use against enemies. The maps are larger and more horizontally oriented, featuring plenty of checkpoints to avoid frustration. Excellent pacing, retro graphics, and a pounding soundtrack round out the package—an offering that appeals not only to fans of old-school shooters but also to anyone seeking adrenaline and instant action.

SPRAWL Zero is a very different game from its predecessor, but one that wholeheartedly embraces its mid-2000s mechanics, delivering a fun and accessible prequel that single-player FPS fans will enjoy.

SPRAWL zero turns firefights into a frantic improvisational scramble. You’ll drain, throw, and replace weapons while your Gravity-Gloves send bullets, barrels, and enemies flying. Its murky navigation, and late-game bullet sponges sometimes can spoil the flow, but once you drop into that shoot-toss-grab rhythm, this boomer shooter is a blast.

I really enjoyed SPRAWL Zero leaning heavily into beloved retro shooters from the past; it activated long-forgotten core memories from my all-night Duke Nukem days on the PlayStation or playing Doom into the early hours, and as a middle-aged gamer really appealed to me. With fast and exhilarating gameplay, it’s an incredibly fun experience.

SPRAWL zero is another example of how developer MAETH knows what makes a great shooter. The destructive chaos that comes from having to constantly pick up new guns and use the environment to our will is addictive when it works. There are more moments than I’d like where it doesn’t, and some enemies that really stop the flow of combat, but that doesn’t change how worthwhile this experience is as a fan of retro shooters.

SPRAWL zero is a love letter to 2000s first-person shooters and absolutely nails the assignment, for better and worse. The gameplay is fun, and the music is thumping. Experiencing it feels like coming home in a way I haven’t felt in a really long time, and I was rewarded throughout with callbacks and references. The story and level design suffer the most, leading to a game that trips over its own roots. That said, if you want an addictive, brain-off FPS, this is the game for you.

SPRAWL zero has wonderful gunplay and loads of seriously badass powers to master, but not everyone will appreciate the noughties charm.

Sprawl Zero presents a harmonious mix of modern touches with classic ideas of the shooters of the 2000s that manages to surprise at first, before some odd design choices suffocate the rest of the experience.