Game: Candy Rangers
Genre: Action, Arcade
System: Steam (Windows) (also on PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch)
Developer|Publisher: Mechano | JanduSoft
Controller Support: Yes
Steam Deck: Playable
Price: US $14.99 | UK £13.49 | EU € 14.99
Release Date: October 2nd, 2025
Review code provided with many thanks to JanduSoft.
Candy Rangers: A Sweet Surprise
JanduSoft has quietly become one of my favourite publishers over the last couple of years. They have this knack for bringing quirky little games to life, titles that don’t just feel original, but also manage to put a smile on my face. Candy Rangers is no exception. At first glance, it looks like a simple on-rails shooter with a sugary coat of paint, but spend a little time with it and you’ll discover a sweet, arcade-bright adventure that’s far more joyful than I expected. And it won’t give you tooth decay.
The Power of Four
The big twist with Candy Rangers is that you’re not just controlling one character, you’re managing four at once. Each “Ranger” covers a different firing direction, and enemies are colour-coded to match. On PC, I played with an Xbox controller, and it felt natural pretty quickly. Each face button is linked to a Ranger’s direction and colour, making it easy to match things up on the fly. If a yellow enemy shows up, I hit yellow. If it’s diagonal, that’s another button. It’s a clever system that sounds confusing at first, but once it clicks, it works beautifully.
The game does give you a little guide to help show which Ranger can fire where, and while more confident players may eventually turn it off, I found it a lifesaver in the early stages. The shooting itself is very satisfying, hold down a button and let the candy-coloured bullets fly. It’s forgiving enough to get you into the flow, but still tricky enough to feel rewarding once you start chaining hits and combos together and aim for a high score.
More Than Just Shooting
On top of the core rail-shooter action, there’s a decent variety of mechanics baked in. You can slow down or speed up your Rangers’ march, jump (even double jump), dash past obstacles, and parry incoming attacks to fling them back at enemies. It’s all a bit overwhelming at first, because the screen quickly fills with enemies, hazards, and flying projectiles, but with practice it begins to feel rhythmic and satisfying.
Levels are timed, so you’ll want to keep things moving, but you can extend the clock by pulling off combos or grabbing pick-ups along the way. Fail to finish before the clock runs out, and you’ll restart, though stages are short enough that retrying rarely feels like a chore. As well as time, it’s important to collect these medallions on your journey. Some are obtained through defeating enemies, and some through platforming. These are tied to unlocking new levels.
Presentation and style
Graphically, Candy Rangers nails its cheerful vibe. Bright, bold colours, countryside-looking backdrops, and enemy designs that look like they’ve wandered out of a Saturday morning anime-like cartoon make every level feel joyful. It’s impossible not to smile as candy-themed beams blast through monsters.
The soundtrack matches the look perfectly. Upbeat, bouncy, and super happy, it helps keep the game firmly in “joyful arcade romp” territory rather than anything too serious.
Modes and Extras
Beyond the main campaign, there’s a healthy amount of extra content. You can switch to Hard Mode if you fancy a challenge, or dive into an Arcade Mode that strings all levels together for a more traditional coin-op experience. There are also unlockable gallery pictures, alternate paths, and even bonus modes like Inky Mode, where you get access to a new firing style.
It’s a generous package, and while replaying levels to collect enough medallions to unlock later stages can feel a little repetitive, I found myself happily running through them again just for the fun of it.
Conclusion: Arcade Treat
Candy Rangers is, at its heart, a sugar-coated arcade throwback. It takes a genre that’s often seen as niche or outdated and injects it with colour and plenty of personality. Yes, it can be overwhelming at first, and yes, you’ll probably have to replay a stage or two, but the cheerful vibe and satisfying mechanics make it a delight to dip into.
It’s not the kind of game that’s going to change your life, but it is the kind of game that can brighten your evening. Sometimes, that’s more than enough. I walked away from it smiling every single time, and really, that’s the best thing you can ask for from a game like this. A welcome addition to the often overlooked cute ’em up sub genre. A free demo is also available on Steam.
Final Verdict: I Like it a Lot
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