Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Parallax throws you into a world dominated by The Big One, a mysterious supercomputer whose impenetrable code forces you into a desperate mission: locate scientists, administer a powerful sedative and deliver them to The Big One so they can crack a single letter of its algorithm. This unusual objective gives the game a covert-ops feel, blending stealth and strategy with the high-octane action of a shoot ’em up.

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The core gameplay revolves around your versatile ship, capable of multi-directional scrolling and diving beneath the planetary surface to avoid or outflank alien patrols. On top of that, you can disembark and explore on foot, turning tense corridors into close-quarters firefights. Balancing aerial bombardments and stealthy foot missions keeps each level fresh and challenges you to adapt your tactics on the fly.

Resource management adds another layer of depth: you can upgrade your weapons and recharge your shields, but funds are scarce. The only currency in this gray world comes indirectly from your depleted scientists—how you choose to extract money from them becomes a darkly inventive meta-game. Every choice feels meaningful, whether you’re upgrading your plasma cannon or slipping past a hive of aliens to snatch another captive researcher.

Graphics

Parallax’s namesake scrolling routine delivers a striking sense of depth, with multiple background layers moving at different speeds to create a fully realized environment. From the barren surface plains to the eerie caverns below, the shifting vistas add an immersive quality that was cutting-edge for its time.

Alien sprites and base installations are rendered with crisp, colorful detail, making it easy to distinguish friend from foe even in the heat of battle. Scientists wear contrasting lab coats that glow against dark corridors, helping you spot your next objective amid the chaos. The parallax layering extends to atmospheric effects—dust clouds from your ship’s thrusters and flickering overhead lights—that heighten the tension every time you enter a new sector.

While the hardware limitations of the era mean you won’t find photo-realism here, the artistry shines through in thoughtful design choices. Environments feel lived-in, with decaying machinery and clandestine research labs offering visual storytelling cues that reinforce the game’s dystopian premise.

Story

Few shoot ’em ups weave narrative into their core mechanics as seamlessly as Parallax. The Big One looms over every decision, its inscrutable presence underscoring the game’s oppressive atmosphere. You’re not just blasting aliens—you’re on a race against time to reclaim human intellect from the clutches of a rogue AI.

Each scientist you capture reveals a fragment of The Big One’s code, turning your progress into a tangible measure of hope. These vignettes unfold between levels, offering cryptic dialogues that hint at the computer’s mysterious origins and the scientists’ own moral quandaries. The story never overshadows the action, but it provides just enough intrigue to keep you invested in each extraction mission.

The game’s pacing—punctuated by sudden alien ambushes and claustrophobic on-foot jaunts—reinforces the narrative tension. You genuinely feel like an infiltrator outnumbered at every turn, driven by the knowledge that each letter decoded brings humanity one step closer to redemption… or total annihilation.

Overall Experience

Parallax excels at blending tight, responsive controls with a layered world that encourages exploration, strategy and daring assaults. Its unique fusion of top-down shooting, underground infiltration and resource-based upgrades ensures you’re never doing the same thing twice. The mission structure strikes a satisfying balance between high-intensity firefights and stealthy puzzles.

An unexpected highlight is the game’s 11-minute introductory music track, which sets an epic tone before you even touch down on alien soil. This sweeping theme, combined with in-game sound effects—thudding lasers, scientists’ muffled pleas and ominous computer beeps—creates a rich audio backdrop that elevates the entire experience.

For fans of retro shooters and sci-fi thrillers, Parallax remains a memorable journey into a world ruled by machines. It demands patience, precision and a willingness to embrace its darker themes, but rewards persistence with exhilarating combat and a story that lingers long after you’ve powered down your console. If you’re seeking an old-school challenge wrapped in a dystopian narrative, Parallax is a voyage worth embarking on.

Retro Replay Score

7.5/10