Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The core gameplay of Crusader: No Regret retains the fast-paced isometric action that fans loved in its predecessor, Crusader: No Remorse. Players once again step into the armored boots of the Captain, a silencer turned Resistance hero, and navigate treacherous environments using a balanced mix of shooting, exploration, and puzzle-solving. The intuitive controls allow for running, jumping, rolling, and kneeling, giving you plenty of mobility to dodge incoming fire and traverse obstacles without missing a beat.

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Building on the original’s arsenal, No Regret introduces several new weapons that add fresh tactical options. From a rapid-fire plasma gun that tears through armored foes to a remote-detonation charge perfect for clearing out groups of enemies, each tool can be swapped on the fly thanks to the lifted five-weapon limit. This freedom encourages experimentation, letting you tailor your loadout to each mission’s unique challenges.

While the overall level structure has been streamlined—making objectives more straightforward and reducing backtracking—the game still drops you into complex facilities filled with security turrets, locked doors, and hidden item caches. This balanced mix of direct combat and light environmental puzzles keeps the pacing tight, ensuring you’re never stuck for too long yet always motivated to hunt down every secret hatch and supply crate.

Graphics

Crusader: No Regret maintains the polished, pre-rendered isometric visuals that defined the series. Levels on the moon’s surface and within the WEC’s mining facilities are rendered with crisp, detailed textures that convey a gritty sci-fi atmosphere. From the cold metallic sheen of prison blocks to the orange glow of molten rock in underground tunnels, the environments feel alive and oppressive.

Character and enemy sprites have been refined with smoother animations and more expressive death sequences. Each new demise—from staggering falls to explosive disassembly—adds a touch of dark humor to the otherwise tense firefights. These visual flourishes may seem minor, but they enhance the visceral feedback, making every encounter more satisfying.

Despite its 1996 release, the game’s art direction holds up remarkably well. The muted color palette and harsh lighting reinforce the oppressive tone of WEC’s lunar empire, while occasional neon highlights on consoles and weapon effects provide stark contrast. If you appreciate retro isometric shooters, No Regret offers some of the genre’s finest pixel art.

Story

Picking up just 46 hours after the events of No Remorse, No Regret thrusts the Captain into the heart of the WEC’s lunar stronghold. Having hijacked a freighter’s escape pod, he crash-lands on the moon, where a powerful corporate regime uses dissident prisoners to mine the valuable Di-Corellium isotope. This radioactive component is critical to WEC’s war machine, and the Resistance cannot afford to let it remain in enemy hands.

The narrative unfolds in short but impactful mission briefings, each revealing more of Chairman Draygan’s ruthless tactics and the Resistance’s dire situation. Although storytelling is kept lean to focus on action, subtle environmental cues—graffiti scrawled by fellow prisoners, damaged equipment, and hidden communication logs—paint a vivid picture of life under total corporate control.

As the Captain, you aren’t just a one-man army but the spark of hope for many. Interactions with Resistance engineers hint at the larger struggle, and occasional scripted events showcase the stakes beyond mere survival. While not a sprawling epic, the story remains engaging through its tight pacing and effective use of setting to underscore the conflict between freedom and authoritarianism.

Overall Experience

Crusader: No Regret refines the formula introduced in No Remorse, delivering a more accessible yet equally thrilling adventure. The removal of the five-weapon cap, the addition of new death animations, and the streamlined mission structure work together to create a tighter, more responsive experience without sacrificing depth.

Though the visual and audio presentation reflects its mid-’90s heritage, the game’s level design and combat still stand as some of the best in isometric shooters. Every room feels meticulously crafted, whether you’re infiltrating a heavily fortified prison wing or sabotaging a Di-Corellium processing facility. The variety of enemy types and environmental hazards ensures no two missions play out the same way.

For players who enjoyed the original or those seeking a challenging action title with a dash of sci-fi intrigue, Crusader: No Regret remains a must-play. It delivers a cohesive package of tight controls, memorable weapons, and an oppressive setting that will keep you engaged from liftoff to the final showdown with the WEC’s forces.

Retro Replay Score

7.7/10