Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Batman Forever blends the tension of side-scrolling platforming with the intensity of one-on-one fighting, creating a hybrid experience that stands out from typical beat ’em ups of its era. Players navigate through environments inspired by the 1995 film, leaping across rooftop gaps and avoiding perilous pitfalls. While platform sections require timing and precision, the core of the action centers on head-to-head battles against a variety of foes, from standard henchmen to the game’s iconic bosses.

The combat system offers a surprising depth for a licensed movie title, with an arsenal of bat-gadgets—from the trusty Batarang to specialized projectiles—that can be toggled mid-battle. Special button combinations unlock powerful move sets, allowing Batman to chain together kicks, punches, and gadget strikes into satisfying combos. Mastering these combinations adds a strategic layer, encouraging players to experiment with different attack sequences to defeat enemies quickly and efficiently.

Enemy variety keeps the gameplay loop engaging, as you’ll face everything from agile thugs to puzzle-loving goons dispatched by The Riddler, each demanding a different approach. Boss encounters against The Riddler and Two-Face punctuate the standard stages, forcing you to adapt to unique patterns and hazards. While some sections can feel repetitive, the shifting balance between platforming challenges and one-on-one fights maintains a steady rhythm that will keep dedicated players invested.

Graphics

The visual style of Batman Forever relies entirely on digitized actors and objects, a technique that lends a semi-realistic sheen to character sprites and backgrounds. Although none of the actual movie actors appear in the game, the digitization process captures human-like movements and facial expressions, giving Batman and his adversaries a lifelike presence that sets the title apart from purely hand-drawn competitors.

Backgrounds showcase a moody Gotham City palette, with dark alleyways, neon-lit rooftops, and the eerie glow of Gothic architecture. Each level has its own color scheme and visual flourishes—lounging gargoyles, flickering street lamps, and the occasional Vincent Price–style gargoyle statue—helping to create a consistent atmosphere. While the environments can sometimes feel static, subtle animations such as drifting fog or flickering lights add life to the stages.

Character animations are generally smooth, especially during combat when quick jabs transition seamlessly into aerial kicks or gadget throws. However, the frame rate can dip slightly when multiple enemies or explosion effects appear on screen simultaneously. Still, these hiccups are minor and rarely detract from the overall presentation, making Batman Forever one of the more visually ambitious titles for its platform at the time of release.

Story

Drawing loosely from the plot of the 1995 film, Batman Forever pits the Dark Knight against the devious machinations of The Riddler and the vengeful Two-Face. The game opens with a brief text prologue recapping Harvey Dent’s transformation into Two-Face, setting the stage for the pair’s alliance. While the narrative doesn’t delve deeply into character backstories, it provides enough context to justify the rising body count and the introduction of elaborate Riddler-themed traps.

Between stages, short cutscenes—composed of still images and text captions—advance the plot, hinting at the villains’ next moves and highlighting Batman’s investigations. These interludes, though sparse, are effective in breaking up the action and reminding players of the overarching conflict. A few digitized sound bites lend an extra dash of authenticity, though aficionados may miss the original actors’ voices.

Despite its brevity, the story manages to thread together combat sequences and platforming challenges into a cohesive progression. The narrative thrust builds anticipation for the climactic showdown against The Riddler in his trap-laden hideout, followed by a final tussle with Two-Face under the Gotham skyline. Fans of the movie will appreciate these nods to the source material, even if the script occasionally feels serviceable rather than cinematic.

Overall Experience

Batman Forever delivers a uniquely blended gaming package that combines elements of platforming and one-on-one fighting, wrapped in a visually striking digitized presentation. The fusion of genres keeps the gameplay fresh, ensuring that you’ll rarely spend too long on purely jump-and-run segments without diving back into intense brawls. The bat-gadget arsenal and combo system further enrich the experience, rewarding experimentation and skillful play.

However, the game does have its rough edges. Combat can become repetitive once basic strategies are mastered, and certain platforming sections feel unforgiving in later stages. Difficulty spikes—especially during boss fights—might frustrate less seasoned players, while occasional slowdown during crowded scenes hints at the hardware’s limitations. Yet, these issues are relatively minor when weighed against the game’s overall ambition.

For fans of Batman, beat ’em up aficionados, or anyone drawn to ’90s digitized aesthetics, Batman Forever offers a memorable trip through Gotham’s underbelly. Although it doesn’t boast the polish of modern titles, its inventive genre mash-up and faithful nods to the movie make it a worthwhile addition to any retro gaming collection. Whether you’re revisiting the Caped Crusader’s adventures or discovering them for the first time, this game provides an engaging ride through the dark alleys of Batman’s world.

Retro Replay Score

5.8/10