Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Chicago 30’s places you in the shoes of Eliot, a determined lawman on a one-man mission to clean up the streets of 1930s Chicago. The core action unfolds in a side-view perspective across multiple vertical levels, giving each stage a layered, almost diorama-like quality. As you jump, duck, and weave your way past barrels and scaffolding, you’ll often feel the pressure ramp up quickly thanks to ever-present crooks firing pistols or tossing grenades from above and below.

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The controls are tight and responsive, which is crucial when grenades arc unpredictably toward your position or a hidden gangster opens fire from a shipping crate. Unlike some retro-influenced shooters, Chicago 30’s strikes a nice balance between challenge and fairness. You have just enough time to react to enemy fire, but overcrowded stages and limited ammo pickups ensure you can’t simply blaze through without strategy.

Midway through each level, the action shifts to a driving segment that adds a fresh twist to the formula. Climbing into a vintage sedan, Eliot leans from the window to line up shots against enemy vehicles. Here, timing your grenade throws becomes key, as only grenades can destroy armored cars barreling toward you. This change of pace keeps the gameplay loop varied and prevents it from feeling repetitive.

Graphics

Chicago 30’s embraces a stylized pixel-art aesthetic that feels both nostalgic and vibrant. The levels brim with period-appropriate details: wooden crates stacked high at the docks, flickering neon signs of a speakeasy, and rusted distillery pipes dripping condensation. These environments feel lived-in and atmospheric, establishing a strong sense of place in Depression-era Chicago.

Character sprites are animated with surprising fluidity given the retro style. Eliot’s lean-out-of-the-car pose looks natural, and enemy gangsters react believably when hit, staggering back or collapsing in dramatic fashion. Explosions and muzzle flashes punctuate each encounter with just the right amount of flair, without overwhelming the screen or obscuring your next target.

Color palettes shift subtly between stages to reflect changing locales and moods. The docks are bathed in cool blues and greys, the street levels glow with amber streetlights, and the distillery pulses with warm browns and reds. These visual cues not only look great, they also help guide your eyes to danger zones and hidden alcoves where extra ammo or health pickups might be concealed.

Story

While Chicago 30’s doesn’t burden you with lengthy cutscenes, its premise is clear and effective: Eliot is a lone crusader against ruthless mobsters who have bled the city dry. The story unfolds through brief, newspaper-style transitions that convey the stakes without stalling the action. You’ll quickly grasp why every bullet counts in Eliot’s quest to bring justice to the docks, streets, and underground distilleries.

Each level feels like a chapter in Eliot’s saga, moving from the gritty harbor where rumrunners hide crates of contraband, to open avenues patrolled by tommy-gun-toting goons, and finally into the shadowy heart of an illegal booze factory. This progression lends a satisfying narrative arc to what could otherwise be a simple shooter, making you eager to discover what awaits around the next bend.

Though character development is minimal, the game’s atmosphere and level design fill in the gaps. The sense of danger is palpable when you hear a distant siren or spot a sniper silhouette on a rooftop. By the final distillery showdown, you feel like you’ve earned Eliot’s gritty resolve, even if you don’t learn his full backstory. The result is a compact but emotionally engaging tale of one man’s stand against corruption.

Overall Experience

Chicago 30’s succeeds as a tightly crafted action title that pays homage to classic arcade shooters while introducing enough modern design touches to feel fresh. Its blend of on-foot skirmishes and vehicular shootouts keeps the adrenaline pumping throughout the roughly three-hour campaign. Even veterans of side-scrollers will find themselves challenged by clever enemy placements and level hazards.

Replay value is strong thanks to hidden collectibles, time-attack modes, and a few secret pathways that reward exploration. For completionists, returning to earlier stages with improved grenade-throwing skills or better map knowledge can yield high-stakes thrills all over again. The soundtrack, comprised of jazzy piano riffs and tense brass stabs, further enhances the mood and invites repeat playthroughs.

In the crowded field of retro-inspired shooters, Chicago 30’s stands out through its cohesive setting, polished mechanics, and varied stage design. Whether you’re drawn by the nostalgic pixel art or the satisfying crunch of landing a well-placed grenade, this game delivers an action-packed journey through the dark alleys of 1930s Chicago. For fans of side-scrolling shooters looking for a bold, atmospheric romp, Elliot’s crusade is well worth the trip.

Retro Replay Score

5.7/10