Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Fantastic Worlds is at its best when you treat it like a game library rather than one game to be finished in order. You can sample Populous, Realms, Sid Meier’s Pirates!, Wonderland, and Mega lo Mania on Amiga or Atari ST, then spend your time with whichever one catches fire. That freedom gives the collection a lively first impression: there is always another direction to try if the current game has not found its way in.

The variety is the point, but it also means the collection demands some patience. These games were not built around a shared set of expectations, so switching between them means accepting different paces and priorities. If you want one consistent ruleset that steadily expands over dozens of hours, the abrupt change from title to title can feel scattered rather than exciting.

On the other hand, the package has real staying power because each included game gets room to stand on its own. You are not buying a few throwaway extras around a headliner; you are getting several substantial experiences with markedly different identities. The DOS version is still a strong collection, but the missing Mega lo Mania makes the Amiga and Atari ST editions the fuller deal.

Graphics

There is no single look to judge here. Fantastic Worlds moves between the distinct artwork and screen styles of its included games, so it feels more like opening several separate game boxes than playing one visually unified release. That changing look is part of the collection’s charm, especially if you enjoy the varied character of early-’90s computer games.

Story

Do not expect a shared plot to connect Fantastic Worlds. This is a compilation whose games keep their own worlds, stakes, and tone, and the title does not try to turn them into chapters of one larger adventure.

That separation can be refreshing. You are free to dip into a different setting whenever you want without worrying that you have broken the momentum of a central story. The collection is driven by curiosity—what does this next game feel like?—rather than by a single narrative payoff.

It also means your attachment will be selective. One included game may give you the world and tone you want to return to, while another simply becomes an interesting detour. Fantastic Worlds works because it does not insist that every part must land equally for you.

Overall Experience

Fantastic Worlds is an excellent argument for the old-fashioned compilation: a generous bundle of distinct games that invites experimentation. Its 8.2 reputation makes sense because the value is not merely in the number of titles, but in how much room the selection gives you to discover a favorite.

There will be friction if you need a collection to feel curated into a smooth, continuous journey. The games’ differences are too pronounced for that, and the DOS edition’s missing Mega lo Mania is a meaningful limitation. Go in ready to browse, learn, and occasionally bounce off something before trying the next option.

For a gamer who likes revisiting classic computer-game design and wants several directions to explore, the payoff is absolutely worth it. Fantastic Worlds is less a single fantastic world than a door to several of them, and that is precisely why it remains compelling.

Retro Replay Score

8.2/10