Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The core of D/Generation’s appeal lies in its seamless blend of isometric action and brain-teasing puzzles. From the moment you step into the darkened corridors of Genoq Biolabs, Singapore, you’re thrust into a high-stakes scenario where every move counts. The game challenges you to navigate ten floors of increasingly complex layouts, outfitted with security turrets, mutant bioweapons, and electrified floors that demand quick reflexes and thoughtful planning.

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Weapon pickups range from basic pistols to experimental energy rifles, each offering distinct advantages against the genetically engineered hordes. Ammo is scarce, so you’re encouraged to toggle between brute force and stealth, conserving resources by luring enemies into traps or using doors and elevators as makeshift barriers. The addition of hacking terminals adds another layer of strategy—one moment you’re exchanging gunfire, the next you’re racing to override security locks before reinforcements arrive.

Rescuing survivors scattered across the facility injects an emotional undercurrent into the fast-paced gameplay. These NPCs are not merely tally marks; they provide narrative snippets, unlock shortcuts, or trade vital items. Balancing the imperative to reach the top floor with the desire to save innocent lives creates a constant tension that keeps you fully engaged.

Graphics

Originally released in the mid-’90s, D/Generation’s visuals were top-tier for its era, using crisp, detailed sprite work to bring the sterile yet claustrophobic laboratory to life. Walls bear scorch marks and blood spatter, while flickering lights and animated computer interfaces heighten the sense of an abandoned, toxic environment overrun by chaos.

In the Windows, Macintosh, and Xbox One HD editions, the graphics receive a substantial facelift. High-resolution textures sharpen the edges of every corridor, while the revamped character models display smoother animations when firing weapons or bottlenecking foes. The upgraded control menu allows you to toggle between classic pixel art and modern blur-free visuals, catering to both nostalgia seekers and new players demanding clarity.

Beyond pure fidelity, the visual enhancements extend to effects like dynamic shadows and particle systems, which make explosive encounters feel more visceral. The occasional frame-rate hiccup is a small price to pay for the overall graphical polish, especially when compared to the original floppy-disk constraints.

Story

D/Generation’s narrative premise is deceptively simple: you’re a nothing-special courier tasked with delivering a mysterious package to Genoq Biolabs. Before the doors even close behind you, the facility descends into utter madness as the security network goes haywire and the scientists’ monstrous creations break free. What unfolds is a classic sci-fi horror tale of corporate hubris and the unforeseen consequences of genetic tampering.

As you ascend each floor, briefings and recovered logs flesh out the calamity’s backstory. You learn about questionable experiments, shadowy funding sources, and a top-secret project codenamed “D/Generation.” Rather than spoon-feed every detail, the game drops tantalizing clues—an overheard PA announcement here, a blood-stained memo there—encouraging you to piece together the mystery at your own pace.

The true genius of the story lies in its restraint. You never feel overwhelmed by lore dumps; instead, the sparse, well-placed revelations ratchet up the tension. By the time you reach the final floors, both your character and you as the player are eager to uncover the package’s contents and the true meaning behind the D/Generation designation.

Overall Experience

D/Generation stands the test of time as a masterclass in retro isometric design. Its tight, methodical gameplay loops perfectly balance nerve-racking action with rewarding puzzle-solving, all wrapped in a haunting sci-fi shell. Whether you’re a veteran revisiting a nostalgic classic or a newcomer hungry for a bite-sized thrill, the game delivers on multiple fronts.

The enhanced editions for modern platforms—featuring high-res graphics, new musical scores, save-anywhere flexibility, and achievement support—feel like a respectful evolution rather than a cash-grab port. Leaderboards add replay value, inviting speedrunners to shave seconds off their runs, while the ability to save at any point alleviates the frustration of repeating early floors after a late-game mishap.

Ultimately, D/Generation is an engrossing ride from start to finish. Its tight level design, atmospheric tension, and multifaceted challenge ensure that every playthrough is memorable. For players seeking a compact but potent experience that blends action, puzzles, and sci-fi mystery, few games hit the mark as precisely as this one.

Retro Replay Score

7.8/10