Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Sonic Boom delivers a classic arcade shoot ’em up experience, dropping players into a high-altitude dogfight with relentless waves of enemies. Piloting the titular Sonic Boom aircraft, you’ll guide your craft through six vertically scrolling levels, each more challenging than the last. The controls are straightforward—move, fire, and collect power-ups—but mastering the timing and positioning is key to surviving the onslaught.

The game’s weapon-upgrade system keeps you on your toes. As you eliminate cannon-fodder crafts, tanks, trains, and turret installations, collectible icons appear to boost your firepower. Strategic play is encouraged: hold off on grabbing certain power-ups until you truly need that screen-clearing spread shot or homing missiles. With five continues and three lives per continue, perseverance is rewarded, but reckless play can still land you back at the start.

Every level culminates in a boss battle against massive war machines, each with distinct attack patterns and vulnerable points. A strict time limit to defeat these bosses adds urgency—lingering too long means an automatic game over. Learning boss mechanics through trial and error becomes part of the fun, and the immediate feedback loop of retrying with tighter dodges and smarter firing runs keeps adrenaline high.

Graphics

The visual style of Sonic Boom feels like a love letter to early ’90s arcade cabinets. Sprites are crisply drawn, and the color palette pops against dark, war-torn backdrops. Whether you’re bombing desert convoys or weaving through an icy mountain pass, each stage has its own distinct look and feel that helps maintain visual interest across all six levels.

Enemy designs range from basic plane silhouettes to more elaborately animated turret emplacements and heavy armored trains. Explosions are bright and satisfying, with multi-frame blast animations that give each hit a weighty impact. Even though the hardware’s limitations impose a certain pixelation, the overall effect is vibrant and kinetic, reinforcing the game’s breakneck pace.

Minimal screen clutter ensures you’re always aware of incoming threats, and the clear differentiation between friendly firepower and enemy projectiles prevents unfair surprises. Backgrounds scroll smoothly at a consistent rate, and transitions into boss arenas are accompanied by subtle effects that build tension without sacrificing performance.

Story

While Sonic Boom isn’t a narrative juggernaut, it provides just enough context to make your mission feel urgent. You assume the role of a lone US pilot tasked with stopping a world-threatening force. Brief introductory text before each level sets the stage—whether it’s protecting allied convoys or assaulting fortified strongholds—while short, punchy in-game prompts drive you forward.

The story unfolds implicitly through level progression and boss encounters. Each boss represents an escalation in the enemy’s resolve, from agile jet fighters to hulking mechanized war machines. Defeating these bosses not only clears the path to the next stage but also hints at the deeper stakes of impending global destruction.

Although there are no in-engine cutscenes or voiced dialogue, the minimalist narrative works in the game’s favor by keeping the pace brisk. Players aren’t bogged down by exposition—they’re dropped straight into the cockpit, encouraged to react, adapt, and overcome. For fans of pure action, this approach provides enough backdrop without impeding the core gameplay loop.

Overall Experience

Sonic Boom shines as a pick-up-and-play arcade shooter that balances accessibility with difficulty. Newcomers can appreciate the responsive controls and clear visuals, while seasoned veterans will welcome the tight boss timers and enemy bullet patterns. The five-continue system offers a safety net without turning the challenge into a cakewalk.

Replay value is high, thanks to multiple difficulty thresholds and the chase for high scores. Speedrunners will find plenty of depth in optimizing routes through enemy formations and perfecting boss takedowns under time pressure. For casual players, the moderate length of six levels ensures a satisfying session without overstaying its welcome.

Ultimately, Sonic Boom is a crowd-pleaser for anyone who loves fast-paced aerial combat and classic shmup mechanics. Its blend of dynamic gameplay, colorful graphics, and streamlined progression makes it an engaging package. If you’re in the market for a no-nonsense arcade shooter with enough challenge to keep you coming back, this title is well worth a spin.

Retro Replay Score

5.7/10