Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Cruel World delivers an experience that will feel instantly familiar to fans of classic platformers. From the very first jump, you’ll notice the fluidity of movement as your hero sprints along narrow ledges, times wall jumps, and evades deadly traps. The responsiveness of the controls captures the essence of the genre, ensuring that each leap of faith and daring maneuver feels both challenging and fair.

Combat in Cruel World is simple yet engaging. Armed with only a short blade, you’ll face off against skeletons and other dungeon denizens in real-time skirmishes that test your timing and precision. Enemies patrol in predictable patterns, but the game keeps you on your toes by combining melee encounters with environmental hazards, like crumbling platforms or swinging pendulums.

Puzzles are woven seamlessly into the platforming action, breaking up the combat with moments of thoughtful planning. From pulling levers to open secret doors to maneuvering blocks to reach higher platforms, these challenges provide a satisfying change of pace. Though straightforward for veteran players, they add depth and reward those who take the time to observe their surroundings carefully.

Graphics

Visually, Cruel World is a loving homage to the aesthetic of the original Prince of Persia. The sprite work is clean and detailed, capturing the fluid animations of the protagonist as he rolls, climbs, and swings his blade. Each frame of movement is thoughtfully crafted, giving the character a sense of weight and realism uncommon in many modern indie titles.

The color palette leans heavily on earthy tones—sandy browns for dungeon walls, mossy greens for overgrown corridors, and deep shadows that hint at unseen dangers around every corner. This choice enhances the oppressive atmosphere of the underground prison while staying true to the retro roots that inspired the game. Lighting effects are used sparingly but effectively; torches flicker realistically, casting dynamic shadows that add depth to each room.

While Cruel World doesn’t break new ground in terms of high-definition visuals, its pixel-art style feels fresh and purposeful. Backgrounds are richly layered, blending stone carvings, barred gates, and hidden alcoves into a cohesive environment. Subtle animation touches—like dripping water and swaying chains—bring the dungeons to life and reinforce the sense of peril awaiting every step.

Story

The narrative of Cruel World is refreshingly straightforward: you play an innocent citizen thrown into a deep, unforgiving dungeon without explanation or trial. This barebones premise mirrors the urgency of your quest—escape or perish. There are no lengthy cutscenes or convoluted plot twists to interrupt the action; instead, the story unfolds organically through environmental cues and brief dialogue snippets.

Exploring the dungeon reveals hints of what transpired. Tattered banners and chipped statues suggest a once-grand empire now fallen into ruin. Scrawled messages on the walls offer fleeting glimpses of other prisoners’ fates, creating an unsettling backdrop that underscores your isolation. Though minimal, these elements work together to build a palpable sense of desperation.

The lack of a detailed backstory may frustrate players seeking deep lore, but it also fuels the game’s relentless pace. There’s no time to dwell on the “why”—only the “how.” Every swing of your blade and every leap across a spike pit moves you toward freedom, reinforcing the primal drive that makes Cruel World such a compulsive playthrough.

Overall Experience

Cruel World succeeds as both a nostalgic tribute and a standalone platformer that captures the magic of 8- and 16-bit era classics. Fans of the original Prince of Persia will appreciate the faithful recreation of tight controls, precise collision detection, and intricate level design. Newcomers will find a challenging but accessible introduction to the genre’s fundamentals.

The difficulty curve is steep but fair. Early levels serve as an informal tutorial, teaching you the ropes before unleashing a series of gauntlet-like challenges that demand patience and perseverance. Checkpoints are well-placed, alleviating frustration without diminishing the satisfaction of mastering each room’s hazards. Expect to die often, but also to learn from every misstep.

Underneath its retro veneer, Cruel World is a love letter to an era when every pixel mattered and every second counted. The Israeli studio Makh-Shevet has crafted a tight, rewarding experience that stays true to its inspiration while standing on its own merits. Whether you’re seeking a trip down memory lane or craving a pure, skill-based platformer, Cruel World offers a compelling journey through dungeons fraught with peril—and triumph.

Retro Replay Score

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