Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Sink or Swim puts you in the waterproof boots of Kevin Codner, rescue mariner extraordinaire, as you pilot a nimble submarine into the doomed SS Lucifer. The core gameplay loop splits between submarine navigation and on-foot puzzle solving, with a clear nod to the classic Lemmings formula. In sixty increasingly intricate levels, you must shepherd the hapless “Dim Passengers” from their tube drop-in point to the safety of the exit hatch before rising water, steam jets, or fiery pits claim them.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

The level design is refreshingly varied. Early stages introduce you gently to simple blockades you can blast with bombs, or reposition via crane, while later scenarios force you to juggle cracked pipe repairs against lethal steam bursts. Conveyor belts add a dynamic obstacle: pull a lever the wrong way and you’ll send your charges plummeting into hazards instead of guiding them to safety. Time pressure comes from both rising floodwaters and countdown-style machinery malfunctions, demanding quick thinking and efficient resource use.

Controlling both the sub and on-ship crane is intuitive yet offers surprising depth. Bombs are a finite resource, so you learn to stack crates into makeshift bridges or shields—often hoisting them just high enough on a belt to topple into place. Each level’s “save limit” challenges you to balance speed and caution: rescue too few passengers and you’ll have to retry, while overzealous blasting can backfire by destroying critical walkways.

Replayability is strong thanks to optional extra-saves and hidden shortcuts. If you hit a roadblock, the password system (à la Lemmings) lets you jump back to any completed level, though on Genesis you’ll only see passwords sporadically after level five. Whether you’re a completionist aiming for a 100% save rate or a casual player content with clearing your minimum quota, Sink or Swim’s sixty (or 100 on Genesis/SNES) stages deliver a satisfying mix of trial, error, and Eureka moments.

Graphics

For an early ’90s title, Sink or Swim boasts surprisingly crisp visuals. The SS Lucifer’s interiors are richly detailed: subtle tile patterns on bulkheads, steam shimmers near broken pipes, and animated water levels that rise ominously with each passing second. Sprite work for Kevin’s submarine and the “Dim Passengers” is charmingly expressive—you’ll worry over the little figures’ panicked flail as they shuffle toward danger.

Level backgrounds shift from cargo holds stacked with crates to engine rooms spouting steam and boiler tunnels dripping with condensation. Color palettes help you immediately distinguish safe zones (cool blues and grays) from hazards (fiery reds or slick, steamy whites). Conveyor belts are color-coded too, giving you a quick visual cue which way passengers will travel if you neglect to flip levers.

Subtle animations—rust flakes drifting off bulkheads or bubbles trailing the submarine—add atmosphere without sacrificing frame rate. On the Genesis version, palette limitations sometimes result in slightly muted tones, but sprite clarity remains high. Meanwhile, the SNES port perks up with softer gradients and more detailed shading, making steam blasts and bomb explosions feel weightier.

Menus and password screens are straightforward and functional, with legible fonts that fit the nautical theme. You won’t come for groundbreaking visuals, but the art direction consistently reinforces the tension and urgency of each rescue mission.

Story

Sink or Swim’s narrative is lean but effective: a luxury cruise liner named SS Lucifer is sinking, and you—Kevin Codner—are the world’s preeminent rescue mariner. The game opens with a brief comic-style intro, establishing your heroic reputation and the passengers’ plight, then dives straight into the action. Story beats occur between level sets, underscoring how each new breach or system failure heightens the stakes.

While there’s no deep character development for the “Dim Passengers,” the sense of responsibility you feel is palpable. Their panicked animations and gasping one-liners (“Help me!” or “I can’t swim!”) drive home the urgency. Occasional mission updates—radio chatter about hull breaches or boiler explosions—add flavor and make the environment feel reactive to your progress.

By the time you reach the final levels, the SS Lucifer seems almost alive, groaning under pressure as you plug leaks and reroute machinery. Though the plot is short on twists, the escalating catastrophes and time-based threats keep the narrative momentum strong. You’ll leave each stage eager to see if your next rescue attempt can outsmart the ship’s next unexpected hazard.

Overall Experience

Sink or Swim strikes a compelling balance between puzzle challenge and action-oriented urgency. Its nods to Lemmings are clear, but the submarine/crane mechanics and thematic focus on maritime rescue give it a unique identity. Whether you’re defusing steam jets, clearing cargo wreckage, or stacking crates into improvised walkways, each level feels like a carefully crafted mini-thriller.

The game’s learning curve ramps smoothly, yet purists seeking 100% rescues or higher difficulty on later stages will find plenty to chew on. The password system is a welcome convenience, though Genesis players may be annoyed by the intermittent password display. Thankfully, level memorization and strategy refinement are rewarding in their own right, encouraging repeat playthroughs.

Though the plot is straightforward, the sense of impending doom—rising water, hissing steam, and fiery pits—keeps adrenaline high throughout all sixty levels (or 100 on SNES/Genesis). Visually clear hazards and responsive controls ensure that your most frustrating deaths feel like fair punishments, not cheap shots.

For fans of logic-driven action puzzlers, Sink or Swim offers a richly varied challenge wrapped in a tense maritime rescue theme. With its blend of clever level design, charming visuals, and escalating suspense, it’s a standout title for anyone who enjoys thinking under pressure and saving pixelated lives before time runs out.

Retro Replay Score

6.7/10