Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Upiór’s gameplay centers on methodical exploration and close-quarters combat, set within a sprawling, labyrinthine castle. Players must navigate twisting corridors, hidden alcoves, and precarious ledges in search of 20 gleaming gems. Each gem pushes you one step closer to the ghoul’s inner sanctum, but collecting them requires patience, observation, and a well-timed punch or kick.

The combat system is deceptively simple: approach an enemy, strike, and then sidestep before they can retaliate. Timing is everything. Monsters vary in size, speed, and durability—stationary statues may take multiple hits to shatter, while swift, skeletal fiends demand lightning-fast reactions. With only one life and no checkpoints, each skirmish feels tense, rewarding precision and caution over brute force.

Resource management adds another layer of depth. Chalices scattered throughout the castle restore health, but they are scarce and often guarded by tougher adversaries or hidden behind environmental puzzles. Watching your health bar at the bottom of the screen, alongside your opponent’s vitality and gem count, keeps the stakes high: a single misstep off a ledge or one too many hits can end your journey abruptly.

Complex level design ensures that no two runs feel identical. Secret passages sometimes loop back to earlier chambers, offering shortcuts or hidden rewards, but can also disorient you if you’re not taking notes. The combination of exploration, combat choreography, and scarce healing items creates a push-and-pull dynamic that makes every gem feel like a precious victory.

Graphics

Visually, Upiór embraces a gothic, pixel-art aesthetic that perfectly complements its dark, medieval setting. Detailed stone textures, flickering torchlight, and dripping water effects breathe life into otherwise foreboding hallways. The color palette—dominated by deep grays, muted purples, and sickly greens—reinforces the game’s eerie atmosphere.

Character sprites are well-animated and distinct: the titular ghoul looms large, with ragged robes and glowing red eyes, while minor monsters range from skeletal archers to bloated, slug-like creatures. Each enemy type moves and attacks with unique patterns, making them instantly recognizable in the chaos of combat. The hero’s punch and kick animations are crisp, giving a satisfying impact that feels appropriate for every successful strike.

Environmental details further enhance immersion. Banners tattered by time flutter ominously in corners, broken suits of armor lay strewn across the floor, and pools of stagnant water reflect your hero’s flickering torchlight. Even the user interface—showing health bars, enemy health, and gem tally—fits seamlessly into the scene, styled like carved stone reliefs.

While the graphics may not rival modern AAA titles, they excel in mood and clarity. Every screen reads intuitively, aiding navigation and making hazards easy to spot. The art direction strikes a fine balance between retro charm and thematic cohesion, ensuring that players stay engrossed in the castle’s haunting beauty.

Story

The narrative of Upiór is straightforward yet effective: a monstrous ghoul has seized your ancestral castle, and you must reclaim each chamber by recovering 20 hidden gems. This simple premise gives purpose to every corridor explored and every foe vanquished. There’s minimal exposition, letting the environment and occasional sigils carved into the walls do the storytelling.

Environmental storytelling shines through scattered journals, cryptic inscriptions, and broken relics hinting at the castle’s once-proud history. You piece together why the ghoul invaded and how the previous inhabitants fell victim to his minions. This subtle approach keeps the focus on gameplay while rewarding players who take the time to study every nook and cranny.

Though cutscenes are rare, when they appear, they punctuate your progress effectively. A brief silhouette shows the ghoul laughing as you snatch the final gem, building tension before the final confrontation. The payoff—a silent, atmospheric chamber where you face the ghoul one-on-one—feels earned after the long journey through perilous halls.

Upiór’s story isn’t about complex characters or branching narratives; it’s about atmosphere, stakes, and the satisfaction of liberation. The sparse narrative design hooks players quickly and keeps them motivated, making each gem an emotional milestone on the path to vengeance.

Overall Experience

Upiór delivers a tightly designed, challenging adventure that will appeal to fans of precision-based combat and atmospheric exploration. Its one-life system raises the tension, turning every enemy encounter and platforming leap into a nail-biting test of skill. For players seeking high stakes and rewarding progression, few titles manage such balance so well.

The blend of retro-inspired visuals, haunting audio cues, and methodical gameplay fosters a deeply immersive experience. Music swells as you approach a hidden gem, only to cut out abruptly when a monster ambushes you, heightening the drama. Sound design is crisp—each punch, each monster’s groan, and each chalice pickup feels tactile and satisfying.

While the lack of a traditional save system may frustrate some, it’s integral to the game’s identity. Upiór isn’t designed for casual play; it demands attention, memorization, and strategic planning. Players who embrace its strict ruleset will find a rewarding, memorable journey that lives long in the mind.

Ultimately, Upiór stands out as a masterclass in controlled, atmospheric action. If you’re drawn to games that challenge your reflexes, reward exploration, and weave a moody narrative through environmental details, this gothic romp is well worth your time—and every hard-fought gem you collect will feel like a prize indeed.

Retro Replay Score

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