Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Future Wars: Adventures in Time employs Delphine Software’s Cinematique point-and-click interface, which set a benchmark for graphic adventure controls in the late ’80s. Right-clicking brings up a verb menu with six core commands—look, use, take, talk, open and close—then a left-click confirms your choice. This intuitive two-step system keeps interactions straightforward, though precision can sometimes be an issue, especially when hunting for tiny inventory items.

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Puzzles in Future Wars lean toward the unforgiving side of the spectrum. Objects are often concealed in plain sight, requiring pixel-perfect cursor placement and thorough exploration of each scene. Missing one crucial item can not only halt your progress but also lead to a dead end, demanding a save-scumming approach for completionists. While this design may frustrate modern players, it also encourages methodical play and rewards those who meticulously comb through every background and conversation.

The game’s chapter structure—shifting between 1989 New York, medieval France in 1304, the 44th century and even the Cretaceous period—keeps the experience fresh. Each era offers distinct puzzles, from guiding a clumsy window cleaner through castle dungeons to navigating high-tech alien bases. Travel between times is handled via a believable time machine interface, and each new epoch introduces unique hazards and puzzle logic tied to its setting.

Graphics

Future Wars boasts richly detailed 16-color VGA graphics that were cutting-edge for their time. Backgrounds are lushly painted, offering depth and atmosphere, whether you’re wiping windows at a futuristic skyscraper or creeping through candlelit medieval corridors. Character sprites are modest in size but animated with surprising fluidity—especially during the occasional platforming or action sequences.

The use of enlarged drawings for inventory items enhances clarity, allowing you to appreciate the artistry behind each object. These visuals often have a comic-book flair, underscoring the game’s playful tone. Cutscene animations—triggered at key story moments—feel like brief interactive cartoons, blending still images with limited motion to remarkable effect given the hardware constraints of the era.

Despite its age, Future Wars maintains a unique visual identity that has aged better than many contemporaries. The color palette may seem restricted today, but the backgrounds’ clever shading and attention to detail evoke each time period convincingly. Whether you’re squinting at pixelized vines in the Cretaceous jungle or inspecting alien control panels, the game’s art direction consistently draws you into its world.

Story

The narrative kicks off in 1989 with our unlikely hero—a humble window cleaner—looking to prank his overbearing boss. A stumble through a hidden passage reveals alien documents and a clandestine time machine, launching the hero’s epic quest. This blend of everyday mundanity and sci-fi intrigue sets the stage for a story that deftly shifts from slapstick humor to globe-spanning stakes.

Upon arriving in 1304, what first seems like a routine damsel-in-distress rescue spirals into the revelation of an alien invasion threatening all of humanity. The subsequent leaps to the 44th century and the Cretaceous period amplify the plot’s scope. As the hero unravels the aliens’ nefarious plans, you witness technological wonders and prehistoric beasts alike—each era deepening the mystery and raising the narrative tension.

Dialogue is peppered with wry humor and period-appropriate flourishes, lending personality to every encounter. NPCs range from bumbling medieval knights to terse future scientists, and your conversations often hold the key to solving puzzles. While some character interactions feel archetypal by today’s standards, they remain charming and help sustain player investment in the story’s twists.

Overall Experience

Future Wars: Adventures in Time offers a challenging yet rewarding journey for fans of old-school graphic adventures. Its unforgiving puzzles and potential for dead ends demand patience and careful save management, but overcoming these obstacles brings a genuine sense of accomplishment. The variety of settings and time periods ensures the game never feels repetitive, keeping curiosity high throughout its runtime.

Modern players accustomed to hint systems and forgiving design may find the trial-and-error nature taxing, yet there’s a nostalgic appeal in learning each environment’s idiosyncrasies. The combination of witty writing, evocative graphics and a sprawling time-travel narrative makes for an experience that feels ambitious—even by today’s standards.

Ultimately, Future Wars stands as a pivotal title in the graphic adventure genre, showcasing Delphine’s innovative approach to storytelling and interface design. For collectors, retro-gaming enthusiasts or anyone curious about the roots of point-and-click adventures, it remains well worth the play. Just remember: save often, experiment liberally and be prepared to think in four dimensions.

Retro Replay Score

7.2/10