Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Destructor’s core gameplay revolves around the innovative Ram-car mechanic, where you steer a heavily armored vehicle through the winding alleys of Araknid. Your mission is to collide with Krystaloid insects just enough to crystallize them without destroying them outright. Once converted, you must then carefully push the resulting Crystals back to your starcruiser. This simple bump-and-push loop forms the addictive heart of the experience.

Thanks to the ColecoVision Expansion Module #2 Steering Wheel Controller, movement feels delightfully tactile. The analog wheel lets you make gradual turns and quick pivots as you weave between enemy Insektoids, making each run through Araknid’s maze feel unique. While the controller adds significant immersion, it also introduces a learning curve: mastering the sensitivity of the wheel is key to avoiding collisions that can damage your Ram-car’s hull.

The challenge ramps up steadily; early levels feature just a handful of Krystaloids and slow-moving enemies, but by the mid-game, waves of Destructor’s minions swarm the lanes, forcing you to juggle ramming, dodging, and planning escape routes. The lack of a pause feature and limited lives heightens the tension, turning each crystal retrieval into a nervy, high-stakes gamble.

Graphics

On the technically modest ColecoVision hardware, Destructor punches above its weight with bold sprite designs and a clear, top-down perspective. The bright jewel tones of the Krystaloids pop against the darker, grid-like cityscape of Araknid, making it easy to spot your targets amid the chaos. Enemy Insektoids are rendered with distinct silhouettes, so you can quickly distinguish between slow gliders and faster attackers.

While there’s inevitable flicker when multiple sprites overlap, careful programming keeps critical gameplay elements visible. The Ram-car’s armor plating flashes subtly upon impact, giving satisfying visual feedback when you collide with insects. Crystals glimmer as you push them, lending a sense of weight and value to your prize.

Level transitions introduce subtle palette swaps to indicate increased difficulty, from dusk-lit corridors to ominous red-hued zones under Destructor’s direct influence. Though minimalist, these visual cues help maintain player engagement, making each stage feel fresh without overburdening the system.

Story

Destructor’s narrative may be straightforward, but it sets a clear and compelling objective: your starcruiser has crash-landed on the hostile planet of Araknid, and Earth’s survival depends on the precious Crystals hidden within native Krystaloids. This high-stakes premise provides motivation behind each risky run through the insect-infested city.

The manual fleshes out the conflict with the titular Destructor, an imposing overlord who commands the Insektoid protectors. While in-game storytelling is minimal, brief text introductions between stages evoke a sense of urgency—Destructor tightens his grip as you collect more Crystals, sending increasing waves of attackers your way.

Developer Imagic’s choice to keep dialogue and exposition off-screen allows the player’s imagination to fill in the gaps, creating a classic arcade-style feel. Each successful delivery of Crystals feels like a small narrative victory, rewarding your skill and perseverance against mounting odds.

Overall Experience

Destructor stands out in the ColecoVision library thanks to its unique blend of racing, puzzle, and action elements. The bump-and-push mechanic is instantly accessible yet offers surprising depth as you juggle ramming power, vehicle durability, and enemy patterns. Combined with the Steering Wheel Controller, the game feels both novel and nostalgically arcade-like.

Replayability is high: leaderboards (kept on paper, of course) and escalating difficulties invite you to perfect your runs, chase higher Crystal counts, and survive longer under Destructor’s assault. The satisfaction of a flawless haul—steering a trail of glittering Crystals back to your ship without a scratch—is hard to beat.

That said, the requirement of Expansion Module #2 might limit accessibility for some collectors, and the analog steering can feel overly sensitive until you’ve logged a few hours behind the wheel. Still, for retro enthusiasts or anyone seeking a distinctive twist on the maze-puzzle genre, Destructor delivers a charming, challenging experience that holds up remarkably well decades after its release.

Retro Replay Score

null/10