Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Mercenary drops you onto the vast surface of the alien world Targ in a first-person perspective, immediately establishing a sense of vulnerability and excitement. Right from the crash of your own ship, you’re thrust into a sandbox environment where exploration is the foundation of every decision. Whether you choose to trudge across the rocky plains on foot or commandeer airborne vehicles to scout high altitudes, the game offers freedom that belies its retro vector-graphics roots.

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The core loop revolves around taking on contracts from two warring races. You’re a mercenary for hire, and each mission—whether it’s reconnaissance, sabotage, or direct assault—pays in credits. Balancing allegiances becomes a delicate dance: help one side too much and the other becomes hostile. This system creates emergent gameplay, as you’ll often find yourself improvising solutions when rival forces clash or when hidden objectives emerge in the heat of battle.

Exploration isn’t just for show. Scattered across Targ are secret outposts, resource caches, and derelict wrecks that can yield both intel and valuable salvage. The interplay between walking on the ground and hopping into landing crafts to reach remote areas adds variety. Missions can be approached stealthily on foot or with all guns blazing from the cockpit of an airborne vehicle—each approach demanding different tactics and offering distinct thrills.

Progression feels organic. Instead of leveling up in a traditional sense, you upgrade via credits: buying better armor, more powerful weapons, or faster ships opens new gameplay avenues. The freedom to choose your loadout for each assignment fosters a personalized playstyle. Be warned, however: mismanaging your finances or biting off more than you can chew can leave you stranded, adding a genuine risk-reward element to every decision.

Graphics

Mercenary’s graphics are unapologetically retro, using wireframe vector visuals that harken back to the dawn of 3D gaming. While there are no textures or lush color palettes, the minimalist aesthetic is surprisingly effective at conveying scale and depth. Vast horizons, angular mountain ranges, and the skeletal outlines of alien architecture all feel coherent within this abstraction.

The vector style may be divisive for players accustomed to modern high-fidelity textures, but it impresses with clarity. Objects are outlined crisply, and the contrast against the empty black sky gives every structure and vehicle a dramatic silhouette. Motion remains smooth even when multiple objects populate the screen, a testament to the lean engine design that prioritizes responsiveness over graphical flourish.

Lighting and perspective shifts further enhance immersion. As you transition from walking on the ground to launching into the air, the horizon line dynamically adjusts, reinforcing the sense of altitude. Shadows are suggested through density changes in the wireframe, subtly guiding your eye toward points of interest like enemy bases or hidden caverns without requiring full shading algorithms.

Story

You begin as the lone survivor of a catastrophic engine failure, stranded on Targ with only your wits and minimal supplies. The sudden crash forces you into a mercenary role as you seek the funds needed for ship repairs. This setup creates an immediate narrative drive: find money, fix your ship, and escape—but not before you capitalize on the chaos.

Two distinct races—the technologically advanced Avis and the hardy Targan ground forces—are locked in a bitter struggle for control of the planet. Neither side offers pure heroism or villainy; instead, each faction has plausible motives and internal politics you can exploit. Doing favors for one will open up fresh storyline branches, while betraying them can lead to tense stand-offs and dramatic rescues.

Dialogue and mission briefings are delivered through in-game terminals, supplying just enough context to keep you invested without bogging you down in exposition. Emerging plot threads—like discovering hidden research labs or intercepting encrypted transmissions—add layers of intrigue. The sense that you’re a small but influential player in a larger conflict keeps the narrative compelling until you finally light your afterburners for a one-way trip home.

Overall Experience

Mercenary stands out as an ambitious blend of open-world exploration, faction-based missions, and minimalist 3D presentation. It may not align with modern graphical expectations, but its tight controls and emergent mission design feel remarkably fresh. The risk of getting stranded adds real stakes to each contract, making every decision count.

For players who value freedom and improvisation, the game delivers on nearly every promise. The world of Targ is vast yet purposeful: secrets are well-hidden but rewarding to find, and every base or canyon can become a creative battleground. Even routine errands—like courier runs between cities—become memorable when ambushed by opposing patrols or when you decide to exploit a shortcut through uncharted terrain.

The learning curve can be steep, especially mastering vehicle controls and keeping track of multiple faction reputations. Yet this challenge is part of the appeal. Once you grasp the economic balance and map layout, Mercenary transforms into a sandbox playground where your choices genuinely shape the outcome of your unplanned stay—and the fate of two warring races.

Ultimately, Mercenary is a testament to gameplay innovation over graphical polish. It offers a distinctive, open-ended adventure that rewards curiosity and adaptability. If you’re intrigued by retro vector worlds, emergent storytelling, and the idea of carving out your own legend on an alien planet, this title is well worth charting your course toward Targ.

Retro Replay Score

8/10