Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The compilation of Overkill & Lunar-C delivers two distinct shoot ’em up experiences housed on a single CD, each with its own set of mechanics and pacing. Overkill functions as a faithful Defender clone, tasking players with rescuing stranded humans and repelling waves of attacking alien crafts. Its frenetic pace and simple control scheme emphasize quick reflexes, forcing the player to juggle offense and defense as the screen fills with enemies and projectiles.

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Lunar-C takes a more methodical approach, blending horizontal scrolling with an upgrade system reminiscent of Gradius. After dispatching enemy formations, tokens drop that advance a weapon select gauge, unlocking a progression of firepower enhancements. This risk-reward loop compels players to decide whether to cash in tokens immediately or hold out for a more powerful arsenal later, adding a strategic layer to the classic “shoot everything that moves” formula.

Both games share tight, responsive controls and a one-hit-or-shot-to-die structure, though Lunar-C’s energy bar allows for a small buffer against mistakes. Each level in Lunar-C culminates in a unique guardian boss, testing your reflexes and pattern recognition in a way that feels more curated than Overkill’s relentless arcade onslaught. Collectively, they offer a blend of pure arcade nostalgia and light strategy, appealing to both completionists chasing high scores and casual players looking for short bursts of action.

Graphics

Overkill’s visuals are faithful to the early ’90s arcade aesthetic, featuring chunky sprites and a limited color palette that nonetheless pops against the often-neutral backgrounds. Enemy designs are easily distinguishable—vessels, missiles, and rescue pods all maintain clarity even when the screen becomes crowded. While there is little in the way of parallax scrolling or visual flair, the simplicity ensures you never lose track of on-screen threats.

Lunar-C steps up with more intricate stage designs and a brighter palette that highlights its sci-fi theme. The backgrounds shift from barren wastelands to industrial corridors, offering a modest sense of progression as you advance. The weapon animations are satisfyingly detailed: lasers, spread shots, and missiles each feel unique, with accompanying glow effects that elevate a relatively straightforward graphical engine.

On both titles, frame rates remain rock solid, and enemy spawn animations are snappy. Although neither game pushes the boundaries of the CD-ROM era’s graphical capabilities, each maintains consistent visual clarity under pressure. The user interface—score, energy bar, token gauge—is cleanly rendered and always legible, ensuring that critical information is never lost amid the chaos.

Story

Overkill is primarily an arcade exercise in survival rather than narrative. The game provides minimal context: humanity is under siege, and you are the defender. This stripped-down premise works in its favor, keeping the focus squarely on action. Any story beats are veiled behind the flurry of enemy waves, leaving players to imagine the stakes for themselves.

Lunar-C offers a bit more lore, detailing a giant dreadnought assaulting an unnamed planet and summoning you as the chosen hero. While the narrative is delivered mostly in the game’s manual or brief title screens, it does lend a sense of purpose to your mission. Defeating Sirians and overcoming guardians feels like part of a larger campaign rather than an endless arcade loop.

Neither title indulges in lengthy cutscenes or elaborate dialogue, but their minimalist story approaches serve different audiences: Overkill for the pure arcade enthusiast and Lunar-C for the player who values a thin veneer of plot. Both keep narrative bottlenecks to a minimum, ensuring that story never interrupts the flow of combat.

Overall Experience

Overkill & Lunar-C form a solid one-two punch of retro shooting action. Overkill’s relentless waves and rescue mechanics cater to those seeking old-school, score-chasing gameplay, while Lunar-C’s weapon upgrade system and guardian bosses introduce strategy and pacing variety. Together, they make a balanced package for fans of horizontal and multi-directional shooters alike.

The CD’s load times are brief, and the menu interface allows for easy switching between titles. Soundtracks on both games deliver crunchy laser blasts and thumping drum loops that capture the spirit of early console and arcade cabinets. Although neither soundtrack will win awards for complexity, the tunes are catchy and loop cleanly without becoming grating.

For retro gaming enthusiasts or collectors of obscure shoot ’em ups, Overkill & Lunar-C represent strong value. The duo provides hours of challenging gameplay, from Overkill’s endless, adrenaline-fueled runs to Lunar-C’s carefully paced levels and upgrade-driven tactics. If you appreciate straightforward, skill-based shooters with just enough variety to stay engaging, this compilation is worth your time and investment.

Retro Replay Score

7/10