Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

CyberPunks throws you straight into the boots of the 501st Cyber Assault Squad, where split-second decisions and precision aiming are your keys to survival. Each of the five missions spans four intricately designed decks, complete with teleport pads that let you warp across vast corridors in an instant. The tension ratchets up as the ticking clock looms over every step, forcing you to balance exploration with the urgency of your objective. Fail to clear a deck before time runs out, and it’s game over—no second chances.

Inventory management adds another layer of strategy to the mayhem. Each squad member—Raa, Gee, and Bee—can shoulder up to six items, but only two slots are dedicated to weapons. The remaining four must be divided among ID cards, shields, smart bomb units, and other gadgets. Grab a seventh item and you automatically discard your active selection, so you’ll constantly weigh whether that extra force field key is worth dropping your current weapon upgrade.

Terminals sprinkled across the decks reward exploration and resourcefulness. Insert the correct colored disk—red, green, blue, or yellow—and you unlock door circuits, view detailed blueprints, or access classified intel. These blueprints can be a lifesaver when you’re navigating the maze-like corridors, and the bonus items they dispense—party shield orbs, time distortion cubes, and force field key circuits—often turn the tide in a tight spot.

Boss encounters bookend each mission with a brutal punch. These hulking alien overlords don’t just soak up bullets; they enforce attack patterns that force you to coordinate your squad’s movements under fire. With teleport pads and timed objectives, you’ll need to juggle offense and defense seamlessly. For players who relish a blend of high-octane shooting and tactical inventory juggling, CyberPunks offers a robust challenge from start to finish.

Graphics

Graphically, CyberPunks captures the grit of a dystopian future with a blend of detailed sprite work and early 3D elements. The power-assisted armor of the 501st gleams under flickering neon lights, while the dark, industrial corridors harbor sinister alien silhouettes that leap out when you least expect them. The result is a painterly aesthetic that feels both retro and timeless, appealing to fans of classic shooters without feeling stale.

Enemy designs are a highlight, showcasing a diverse roster of alien life forms from agile insectoid scuttlers to lumbering brutes that shake the deck with every stomp. The color palette shifts subtly between missions, from blood-red lighting in high-security labs to eerie green glows in quarantine zones, ensuring each environment feels distinct. Particle effects from ricocheting bullets and energy shields crackling under fire add satisfying visual feedback to every firefight.

Performance remains consistently smooth, even when the screen erupts in a hail of plasma bolts or an explosion knocks you across the deck. Load times are minimal, and teleport animations are snappy, keeping the action flowing. While purists might wish for the ultra-high resolutions of modern engines, CyberPunks’ deliberate visual style emphasizes atmosphere and readability, which is crucial when you’re racing against the clock.

Minor visual quirks—such as occasional texture pop-in on distant walls—are easy to forgive given the game’s overall consistency. Detailed HUD elements clearly display mission timers, inventory slots, and squad member statuses without cluttering the screen. In short, CyberPunks strikes a satisfying balance between retro charm and functional clarity, making every mission a visual treat.

Story

The narrative thrust of CyberPunks is straightforward but effective: you are the 501st Cyber Assault Squad, the only unit tough enough to halt an intergalactic alien onslaught. Led by the stoic Raa, the cunning Gee, and the fearless Bee, your team is humanity’s last line of defense. From the cutscenes to in-mission voice snippets, the writing conveys urgency and camaraderie without bogging you down in jargon.

Each mission deepens the lore with fragmented logs and terminal messages that hint at a larger conspiracy. Why are these aliens so organized? What secrets lie buried deep within the complex you’re storming? The game teases players with cryptic references to a hidden power source that could either save or doom the universe. Collecting and decoding these snippets feels rewarding, especially for those who love piecing together a sprawling sci-fi tapestry.

Characterization is lean but memorable. Raa’s unwavering grit, Gee’s tactical finesse, and Bee’s unflappable courage manifest through their unique weapon proficiencies and brief dialogue exchanges. You’ll find yourself growing attached to their survival, making each mission’s high stakes feel personal. Boss battles become more than just mechanics—they’re violent encounters with forces that threaten the heroes you’ve come to root for.

Though CyberPunks doesn’t reinvent narrative conventions, it respects them. The game’s pacing, from frantic drop-ship deployments to tense final standoffs, mirrors the structure of a binge-worthy sci-fi mini-series. By the time the credits roll and passkeys are handed out, you’ll have experienced a concise but satisfying story arc that beckons you to dive back in for deeper exploration and secrets you may have missed.

Overall Experience

CyberPunks succeeds by fusing adrenaline-pumping action with thoughtful layerings of strategy. The clock is always ticking, the corridors hide new threats, and your inventory demands constant juggling. For players craving a game that tests both reflexes and resourcefulness, this title delivers in spades. Each mission feels like a self-contained puzzle wrapped in an alien onslaught, providing intense bursts of excitement.

Replay value is boosted by the five-passkey system, letting you skip ahead or revisit favorite missions. Experimenting with different disk-terminal interactions and hunting for every hidden power-up turns each run into a new experience. Even veteran players will find fresh challenges in mastering time distortion cubes or perfecting boss encounter strategies.

While the game occasionally leans on familiar tropes—time limits, keycard hunts, and boss gauntlets—its tight design and atmospheric presentation elevate it above mere nostalgia. The blend of retro-inspired graphics with smooth performance and detailed level layouts gives CyberPunks a polished feel that modern indie shooters often strive for.

In the end, CyberPunks is a must-play for fans of classic squad-based shooters and sci-fi thrillers. It may test your patience with its ticking timers and inventory trade-offs, but those challenges only make victory that much sweeter. Strap on your power armor, lock and load, and prepare for an express elevator ride to hell—you won’t want to get off.

Retro Replay Score

6.6/10