Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Fernandez Must Die delivers relentless, top-down action that instantly evokes the thrill of classic arcade shooters. You take on the role of an elite commando sent behind enemy lines to dismantle the tyrannical regime of General Fernandez in the Republic of El Diablo. From the moment you touch down in your jeep, the pace never lets up: wave after wave of infantry, armored vehicles, and entrenched gun emplacements swarm your path, demanding split-second reflexes and smart positioning.

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The core mechanics are familiar but finely tuned. You have unlimited ammunition for your primary weapon, which encourages constant on-the-move blasting, while grenades are scarce but vital for clearing bunkers and clustered foes. Landmines pop up unexpectedly, forcing you to tread carefully, and medical packs appear at random intervals to bail you out of dire health situations. This balance of endless bullets and limited explosives keeps you in a constant give-and-take: rush forward aggressively or hang back, pick the right moment to lob a grenade, and then dash to the next cover.

Vehicle sections add an extra layer of excitement and risk. Starting in a nimble jeep and progressing to motorcycles and heavily armored tanks, you’ll appreciate the brief respite that a well-timed vehicle pickup offers. However, lose a life and any ride you’re on explodes with you inside, resetting the advantage. The dual-player mode shines here, with one player driving and the other manning the gunner position—cooperation is essential if you want to clear levels efficiently without wasting lives.

Between the eight missions, each culminating in a major fortress or hidden bunker, checkpoint placement becomes crucial. Rather than forcing a restart from scratch, the game drops you at the last spot you died, which softens the difficulty curve just enough to keep frustration at bay. Yet despite that mercy, the intensity never wanes: narrow tunnels, branching paths, and surprise ambush points demand constant awareness. Veteran arcade gamers will feel right at home, while newcomers will find a challenging but fair test of their action-game mettle.

Graphics

Fernandez Must Die sports a vibrant, 16-bit–style pixel art aesthetic that successfully captures the feel of early ’90s arcade cabinets. Each environment—from dusty desert roads and lush jungle clearings to dimly lit subterranean tunnels—is distinct and richly colored. Sprites are well-detailed, with enemies sporting recognizable uniforms and weapon types, and explosions packing a satisfying punch of bright oranges and yellows.

Animation is smooth and responsive, whether you’re strafing across the screen or swapping between vehicles. Enemy soldiers stagger realistically when hit, and larger vehicles like tanks and half-tracks have weighty movement accompanied by heavy sound cues. The particle effects for grenades and landmine blasts, while not hyper-realistic, offer enough visual feedback to make every shot feel impactful.

Some areas lean heavily on repeating tilesets, and if you look closely you’ll notice reused assets in tunnel walls or certain foliage types. Yet the level design compensates through clever placement of cover, destructible barrels, and occasional weather effects such as drifting snow or swirling sand. The result is a game that feels both nostalgically familiar and polished enough to stand on its own merits.

On hardware capable of flicker-free scrolling, the vertical movement is buttery smooth, and there’s almost never a frame drop—even when the screen fills up with enemy soldiers and projectiles. While it’s not pushing modern graphical boundaries, Fernandez Must Die nails its retro style and runs flawlessly, making it a joy for old-school action fans and pixel art enthusiasts alike.

Story

The narrative in Fernandez Must Die is straightforward but effective: General Fernandez has seized control of the Republic of El Diablo with an iron fist, and it’s up to you, the unnamed freedom fighter, to liberate the land. There are no elaborate cutscenes, but brief text interludes set the stakes before each mission, ensuring you feel a sense of purpose as you blow through hideouts and rescue occupied villages.

Character development is minimal—your hero remains a blank slate, defined by grit and determination rather than dialogue or backstory. This is a deliberate design choice that keeps the focus squarely on action. Enemy types gradually diversify as you progress: initial levels pit you against basic foot soldiers, but later stages introduce snipers, flamethrower troops, and mechanized units that feel like miniature boss battles in their own right.

Although the plot is simple, the game’s setting is evocative. As you move from sun-baked highways to underground tunnels, you get a sense of the regime’s reach and the desperation of the people you’re fighting to free. Every demolished bunker and destroyed weapon depot feels like a small victory for the Republic of El Diablo, and the relentless drive to topple Fernandez keeps you hooked.

In an era where many shooters lean on cutscene-driven narratives, Fernandez Must Die embraces minimalism. The result is a pure, old-school arcade experience: no filler, just mission objectives that are crystal clear. If you crave a propulsive storyline that never slows the action down, this game has you covered, even if it won’t win awards for plot twists or character arcs.

Overall Experience

Fernandez Must Die excels at delivering nonstop, old-school shooter thrills. The pacing is relentless, the weapons are satisfying to use, and the variety of vehicles adds welcome dynamism to each stage. Combined with cooperative play, the game becomes a carnival of explosives and gunfire that’s hard to put down once you’re in the groove.

Difficulty ramps up steadily, and the checkpoint system strikes a fair balance between challenge and accessibility. You’ll die—often—but respawning at the exact spot of your demise means you can immediately learn from mistakes without slogging through early sections repeatedly. This design choice makes the experience tough but never truly punishing.

Graphically and sonically, the title delivers a convincing homage to a bygone era of arcades. The environments are colorful and varied, the animations crisp, and the sound effects pack the right punch. While some asset reuse is noticeable, it doesn’t detract from the overall presentation or break immersion.

Whether you’re a retro arcade veteran or a modern gamer seeking unadulterated run-and-gun action, Fernandez Must Die offers a satisfying ride. There’s enough depth in enemy patterns, level layouts, and co-op tactics to keep you coming back for more. If you appreciate high-octane gameplay with a dash of nostalgia, this is one tyrant-toppling adventure worth undertaking.

Retro Replay Score

6.1/10