Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The first thing Metropolis gets right is its commitment to sword-and-shield combat. You are not simply trading punches with a line of disposable opponents; Geitor has to defeat enemies with a blade while protecting himself with a shield. That gives the action a more deliberate edge than a standard side-scrolling beat-’em-up.

The opposition has a useful range on paper. Warriors of Death mirror your own sword-and-shield fighting style, so they promise the closest thing to a straight duel. Dartfire mutants throw fireballs and demand extra caution, while the Girlkiller gang adds another aggressive presence to the streets. The mix fits a game that wants every stretch of the city to feel contested rather than like a casual march to the next checkpoint.

Your larger job is pleasingly concrete: push through the devastated city, reach the Townsman’s headquarters, and eliminate five nuclear tanks held by its criminal powers. That objective gives the arcade action a destination. If you enjoy old games that put a simple weapon, a dangerous route, and a clear end target ahead of you, Metropolis has the right kind of no-nonsense pull.

Graphics

The action uses a side-view perspective, framing Geitor’s route through a futuristic city left devastated by nuclear disaster. The enemy lineup has some welcome pulp flavor: sword fighters, nasty-looking mutants, and an aggressive women-led gang make the opposition more memorable than a faceless collection of street thugs.

Story

Metropolis does not chase subtlety. Nuclear disaster has wrecked the city, the law of the strongest has taken over, and Geitor is sent to pacify it. That is all the excuse this kind of arcade action needs, and it establishes the stakes quickly.

The journey toward the Townsman’s headquarters gives the fighting a political edge. Geitor is not merely escaping the city or pursuing a personal grudge; he is meant to lead a revolt, take power, and restore peace. It is broad, comic-book revolution stuff, but it suits the harsh future-city setup.

Destroying the five nuclear tanks is the story’s strongest hook because it turns peace into a tangible mission. The plot remains a framework for combat, yet it is a better framework than a generic “clear the streets” setup. You know what must fall before Metropolis can change.

Overall Experience

Metropolis is built for the gamer who likes an arcade action game to get to the point. Sword, shield, hostile city, dangerous gangs, five tanks: it lays out its mission with admirable economy. The Trojan inspiration is clear, but the emphasis on defending as well as attacking gives its combat concept a distinct hook.

Frustration is likely part of the bargain when enemies bring both blades and fireballs to the street. That is also where the game earns its character. Progress should feel like forcing a path through a city that actively resists being saved, not simply sweeping up weak foes.

Give it a chance if you have a soft spot for 1980s side-view action and prefer a focused campaign to a wandering adventure. It will not win you over with narrative complexity; it has a sharper pitch than that. Metropolis asks whether its sword-and-shield battles can carry you to the final tanks, and for the right arcade-minded player, that is a strong enough reason to enter the city.

Retro Replay Score

6.5/10