Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Blake Stone: Planet Strike! builds on the tight, corridor-based first-person shooting of its predecessor, keeping the core mechanics familiar but adding a fresh twist. Instead of simply finding an elevator to progress, players must now locate a bomb on each level and transport it to a security cube. Once the bomb is armed at the cube, the explosion clears the way forward, adding a layer of tactical planning to each map.

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The removal of the elevator mechanic in favor of the bomb-and-cube system subtly alters pacing. Rather than racing straight for key cards and health packs, you’ll often find yourself backtracking through rooms you’ve already cleared, weighing whether to pick off straggling aliens or rush the bomb to its target. This risk-versus-reward dynamic keeps every level feeling engaging and encourages thorough exploration.

Planet Strike! also introduces a powerful new weapon, the Plasma Discharger, which serves as a satisfying “ultimate” option once you’ve amassed enough ammo. Standard weapons—like the Phase Gun and Ion Blaster—remain effective against most foes, but the Plasma Discharger shines in boss encounters and tight corridors swarming with enemies. Collectively, these additions refine the original’s formula without overhauling it, offering both veteran players and newcomers a solid, action-packed experience.

Graphics

Visually, Planet Strike! uses the same Wolfenstein 3D–style engine as Blake Stone: Aliens of Gold, but with higher-resolution textures and more varied color palettes. Walls and floors are slightly more detailed, giving each environment—from dimly lit labs to alien-infested chambers—a more distinct atmosphere. Lighting effects remain simple, yet they effectively convey tension as shadows flicker across the corridors.

Enemy sprites have been updated or recolored to differentiate them from the original game’s creatures. While only one of the “new” bad guys is entirely original, the reworked bosses and standard aliens still look fresh thanks to modified skins and palette swaps. These adjustments help Planet Strike! feel less like a reskin and more like a true sequel, even if you recognize some familiar silhouettes around every corner.

Level design also contributes to the visual appeal. Many of the 24 new maps feature themed areas—such as pesticide labs, maintenance tunnels, and command decks—that break up the monotony of repeating tile sets. Though the overall style remains retro, these environments offer enough color and texture variety to keep exploration visually interesting, making each stage memorable in its own right.

Story

Planet Strike! continues the saga of secret agent Blake Stone as he battles Dr. Pyrus Goldfire’s alien menace. Picking up right where Aliens of Gold left off, the game drops you onto a hostile planet littered with extraterrestrial threats and robotic guardians. While the narrative remains minimal—true to classic shooters of the era—it’s enough to contextualize your mission and keep you motivated to press on.

Between levels, you’re presented with a stylized map that hints at a sprawling interplanetary operation, though progression is strictly linear. Brief text blurbs describe each new sector’s objectives, but there’s no voice acting or cinematic cutscenes to speak of. Instead, the game focuses on pure action, letting the setting and your gear convey the stakes with efficiency.

Despite the lean storytelling, Planet Strike! injects occasional surprises through its array of boss battles. Each confrontation with a high-stat alien or hulking robot feels like a set piece, loosely tied to Goldfire’s roaring ambitions. While the narrative won’t win awards for depth, it serves its purpose: providing context for the action and justifying why Blake must bomb his way through wave after wave of foes.

Overall Experience

Blake Stone: Planet Strike! doesn’t revolutionize the first-person shooter genre, but it delivers a cohesive, enjoyable sequel for fans of retro shooters. The introduction of the bomb-and-cube mechanic adds nuance to level progression without derailing the familiar shoot-and-loot gameplay. Veterans of Aliens of Gold will appreciate the refined pacing and expanded arsenal, while newcomers will find a straightforward, challenging adventure.

The game’s 24 levels are balanced in difficulty, offering a steady ramp-up that rewards exploration and careful ammo management. Secret areas hide extra power-ups and weapon caches, tempting you to veer off the main path. Coupled with the Plasma Discharger’s raw firepower, these secrets ensure you rarely feel undergunned—even when facing tougher boss encounters.

All told, Planet Strike! stands as a solid example of a sequel done right—building on established strengths, ironing out minor wrinkles, and adding just enough new content to keep things exciting. If you’re drawn to classic, maze-like shooters with a retro aesthetic and aren’t expecting blockbuster production values, Blake Stone: Planet Strike! offers a rewarding, nostalgia-fueled journey well worth your time.

Retro Replay Score

6.7/10