Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Commando delivers a relentless vertical-scrolling experience that puts you directly in the combat zone from the very first moment. Armed with a standard rifle and a handful of grenades, you guide your super-tough Commando through enemy-infested territories, constantly on the move. Each screen is packed with patrolling soldiers, concealed sharpshooters, and environmental hazards that demand quick reflexes and strategic planning.

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The ingenious level design incorporates trees, rivers, and bridges to break up the monotony of a flat battlefield. These natural obstacles not only provide cover but also force you to rethink your approach. Should you flank the hiding soldier behind that tree? Or lob a grenade across the river to clear your path? Each decision can mean the difference between making steady progress and getting overwhelmed by foes.

Grenades play a pivotal role in extending your tactical reach. While your rifle is dependable in most encounters, it cannot match the area-of-effect devastation a well-placed grenade delivers. Scouring the battlefield for extra ordnance becomes an engaging mini-goal in itself, adding a layer of resource management to the fast-paced action. Learning to conserve and deploy grenades effectively is essential for tackling dense enemy clusters without taking fatal hits.

Replayability is high thanks to escalating difficulty and hidden paths. As you master the basic run-and-gun formula, you’ll discover secret routes and strategic vantage points that offer alternative approaches. Even after multiple playthroughs, the constant barrage of enemies and the need for split-second decision-making keep each session feeling fresh and exciting.

Graphics

Visually, Commando embraces the classic arcade aesthetic with chunky sprites, vibrant color palettes, and clear character designs. The Commando himself is distinct and easily identifiable, even amid the chaos of dozens of enemies and explosions on screen. This clarity is crucial in a fast-paced shooter where split-second recognition can save your life.

Environmental variety is one of the game’s strongest points. Lush forests, flowing rivers, and rickety bridges not only influence gameplay but also serve as dynamic backdrops. Animations for water currents, swaying foliage, and smoke effects from grenade blasts bring the world to life, making each level more immersive than the last.

Though Commando doesn’t push the hardware limits of its era, it makes smart use of its resources. Enemy animations are smooth, and explosions pop with satisfying flair. The scrolling is butter-smooth, ensuring that newcomers and veterans alike can focus on evading bullets rather than fighting frame drops or stutters.

Subtle details—like the slight recoil on your rifle or the dust clouds kicked up by grenade blasts—add polish without distracting from the core gameplay. While modern titles may boast high-definition textures and complex lighting, Commando’s straightforward, purpose-driven graphics remain charming and effective for its genre.

Story

In Commando, you assume the role of a lone operative dispatched behind enemy lines to dismantle a hostile army’s defenses. The narrative is intentionally minimal, focusing instead on pure action. Brief mission briefings bookend each stage, outlining objectives such as rescuing captured allies or destroying enemy supply depots.

Despite its simplicity, the story provides a satisfying framework for the gameplay. You’re never just mindlessly firing; there’s always a clear objective driving your mission forward. The absence of lengthy cutscenes or dialogue means you’re in the thick of battle in seconds, which reinforces the game’s “boots on the ground” appeal.

As you progress, small narrative touches—like radio transmissions calling for reinforcements or status updates on civilian zones—add texture to the overarching war scenario. These moments, though brief, help ground the action in a larger conflict, making each grenade lob and bullet fired feel more consequential.

Commando’s stripped-down storytelling is a double-edged sword: it keeps the tempo high and avoids filler, but it also leaves players craving more narrative depth. For those seeking a cinematic war epic, the game may feel sparse. However, for action purists, the lean storyline serves its purpose perfectly by keeping the emphasis firmly on relentless combat.

Overall Experience

Commando stands as a testament to arcade-era design, where gameplay intensity and crisp mechanics were prioritized above all else. Every level feels like a gauntlet designed to test your shooting skills, spatial awareness, and grenade-tossing accuracy. The balance between immediacy and tactical choice ensures you’re always engaged, whether you’re taking down a squad in the open or outflanking hidden snipers.

The game’s pacing is relentless but fair. Checkpoints are placed thoughtfully so that repeated failures become learning opportunities rather than punishment. This design philosophy encourages you to experiment with different routes, grenade strategies, and firing patterns until you crack each level’s code.

Replay value is further boosted by hidden treasures and secret paths that reward exploration. Even after mastering the main objectives, uncovering optional areas offers fresh challenges and extends the game’s lifespan. For completionists and speedrunners alike, Commando provides plenty of reasons to keep coming back.

Ultimately, if you’re a fan of old-school shooters or looking for a challenging, no-nonsense action romp, Commando delivers a thrilling ride. Its blend of tactical terrain use, precise shooting, and grenade-based strategy creates a gratifying loop that remains compelling decades after its initial release. While it may not have the narrative depth of modern military epics, its pure gameplay excellence makes it a must-try for anyone craving arcade-style carnage.

Retro Replay Score

7/10