《Candy Rangers》是由獨立團隊Mechano開發的創新射擊遊戲，屬於「固定軌道射擊（On-Rails Shooter）」類型。在2025年10月2日於Steam平台率先推出，並於2026年2月26日登上PlayStation 4、PlayStation 5與Nintendo Switch平台。以繽紛的視覺風格與同時操作多名角色的獨特機制為核心，帶給玩家一種結合節奏感與策略思考的新鮮體驗。

故事的主軸圍繞著四位性格鮮明的四胞胎角色——Candy、Mint、Lemon 和 Plum。她們共同生活在一座充滿自然與科技交織的城市中，身為「護林員」，她們的使命是對抗那些入侵並破壞城市自然環境的生物。遊戲的背景充滿環保寓意，將人類與自然的關係包裝成動作十足的冒險。

需要同時操控這四位角色，這是《Candy Rangers》最大的特色與挑戰所在。每個角色擁有不同的武器與射擊方向，必須靈活配合以應對從四面八方襲來的敵人。Candy能向左右兩側發射子彈，適合清除兩邊的威脅；Mint進行穩定的正面射擊，擔任主要攻擊手；Plum的子彈可以前後來回穿梭，適合處理連續出現的敵群；而Lemon則能以對角線方式射擊，專門攻擊位置刁鑽的敵人。遊戲設計要求玩家不僅要反應迅速，還要具備策略思考，透過同時操作四人來創造最有效率的攻擊組合。

關卡設計多樣，總共有四個主要世界與兩個額外世界，超過二十個不同主題的關卡。每個關卡的時間與環境設定各異，例如白天的都市森林、夜晚的霓虹區域，甚至暴風雨中的高空軌道。每個世界的結尾都設有一場獨特的頭目戰，而最終關卡更是橫跨整張地圖的激烈決戰。在通關過程中還能收集特殊物品，這些物品能解鎖隱藏路徑與額外內容，提升遊戲的探索樂趣與重玩價值。還提供多種模式以滿足不同層級的挑戰者。基礎模式適合新手體驗節奏，而「Hard Mode」會讓每次受擊的時間懲罰翻倍，增加緊張感。破關後能解鎖「Inky Mode」，該模式中角色可朝八個方向自由射擊，帶來更瘋狂的火力對戰。最終的「Arcade Mode」是高手專屬挑戰，要求玩家在不間斷的情況下連續通過所有關卡，極具耐力與技巧考驗。

自發表以來，在市場上獲得極大的關注。許多玩家與媒體評論認為，這款遊戲成功將懷舊的射擊體驗與現代化的多角色玩法結合起來，創造出耳目一新的遊戲節奏。評論特別讚賞它的視覺表現與音樂設計，色彩鮮明的場景搭配輕快的電子音樂，營造出活潑卻充滿挑戰的氛圍。

整體而言，《Candy Rangers》不只是單純的射擊遊戲，而是充滿創意與巧思的作品。它以四人協同作戰的概念突破傳統射擊玩法的框架，讓玩家在華麗的畫面與緊湊的節奏中體驗團隊合作的樂趣與挑戰。這款作品被視為2026年初最值得關注的獨立動作遊戲之一，也被許多評論家譽為「復古風射擊遊戲的現代化典範」。

Candy Rangers is a vibrant and fast-paced on-rails shooter developed by Mechano, first released on Steam on October 2, 2025, and set to arrive on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch on February 26, 2026. Combining retro shooting mechanics with modern visuals and innovative multi-character gameplay, it delivers a refreshing experience that mixes coordination, quick reflexes, and tactical thinking.

The story centers on four energetic quadruplet siblings—Candy, Mint, Lemon, and Plum—who live together and work as rangers protecting their city’s natural environments. Their world blends colorful urban landscapes with patches of fragile nature, constantly under threat from bizarre creatures that invade and disrupt the ecological balance. The game uses this conflict as a lighthearted but meaningful metaphor for environmental protection, wrapped in a fun and action-packed narrative.

The key innovation of Candy Rangers lies in its control system. Players simultaneously command all four characters at once, switching their focus rapidly to coordinate attacks and block enemy waves. Each sister has her own unique weapon and firing pattern, creating a gameplay style that’s both chaotic and deeply strategic. Candy fires bullets sideways, covering the flanks; Mint shoots straightforward, ideal for head-on attacks; Plum’s shots move back and forth, perfect for sweeping through enemy lines; and Lemon fires diagonally, clearing tricky angles. Mastering their cooperation is essential for survival, as enemies attack in intricate formations that require precision and timing.

The adventure spans four main worlds and two bonus stages, totaling over twenty uniquely themed levels. Each stage presents a new time of day and visual motif, from bright daytime city gardens to neon-lit nightscapes and even stormy sky railways. At the end of each world, players face off against a massive boss with unique attack patterns, culminating in a spectacular final battle that stretches across the entire game map. Throughout their journey, players can collect hidden items that unlock secret paths, bonus missions, and extra challenges, encouraging replayability and exploration.

Beyond its core campaign, Candy Rangers features several difficulty modes designed to test players’ mastery. The standard mode offers a balanced pace for newcomers, while Hard Mode doubles the time penalties for taking damage, pushing players to stay sharp. Completing the main story unlocks Inky Mode, where players can shoot freely in all directions, drastically changing combat dynamics. The ultimate test comes in Arcade Mode, which challenges players to clear all levels consecutively without rest—an intense endurance run that rewards both skill and patience.

Upon release, Candy Rangers drew attention from critics and players alike for its inventive mechanics and charming presentation. Reviewers praised the game’s vibrant diorama-like art style, energetic soundtrack, and the smooth blend of nostalgic shooter gameplay with modern design sensibilities. Many noted that the ability to control four characters at once created a thrilling sense of chaos balanced by strategy, making each victory feel well-earned.

Overall, Candy Rangers stands out as more than just a shooter—it’s a joyful, imaginative experience that redefines what on-rails action can be. By blending teamwork mechanics, colorful aesthetics, and environmental storytelling, it carves a unique identity in the indie gaming scene. Many critics have already hailed it as one of the most creative and promising indie releases of early 2026, a true modern homage to the golden age of arcade shooters.