Push Square's mini review praises Sprawl Zero, a PS5 tactical shooter that deliberately apes late-1990s/early-2000s titles such as Halo and F.E.A.R, right down to a de-rezzed graphical style reminiscent of the PS2 era. The reviewer highlights the game's straightforward, linear approach to level and story design, arguing that this focus, rather than bloated side content, is what makes it an enjoyable throwback rather than a groundbreaking release.

The roughly ten-hour campaign pairs its retro presentation with slick, modern mechanics comparable to the Ghostrunner series, including deflecting shields, bullet-time abilities and "Gravity Gloves" that let players throw weapons at enemies and pull new ones into their grip. Because each gun holds only a single magazine, combat becomes a constant cycle of shooting, throwing and grabbing new weapons, which the reviewer likens to Doom's satisfying weapon-swapping loop. Minor criticisms include some repetitive environments and unnecessary backtracking, but these don't detract much from an experience that doesn't outstay its welcome.