Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Hard Boiled Action 1 delivers a compelling mix of interactive thrills and nostalgic cinema with its two featured games, Wetlands and Wages of War: The Business of Battle. In Wetlands, players dive into fast-paced, side-scrolling combat that emphasizes reflexes and weapon variety. The controls feel responsive, and each level ramps up the danger with new enemy types, environmental hazards, and occasional on-rails sequences that break up the standard run-and-gun formula.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

Wages of War: The Business of Battle offers a markedly different experience, blending real-time strategy elements with tactical combat scenarios. You’ll manage squads, allocate resources, and plan assaults across a variety of maps. The learning curve is gentle but rewarding; early missions serve as tutorials, while later operations demand careful unit placement and timing. Combined, these two games create a balanced package for action fans who appreciate both twitch-based brawling and strategic decision-making.

Beyond the core gameplay loops, the limited edition set includes two classic martial arts films—Black Eagle and China O’Brien—that serve as perfect palate cleansers between missions. Watching Jean-Claude Van Damme and Sho Kosugi in Black Eagle gives you a masterclass in hand-to-hand choreography, while Cynthia Rothrock’s no-nonsense style in China O’Brien channels ’90s action aesthetics. Needless to say, neither movie interrupts your gameplay directly, but they enhance the overall pacing when you crank up some downtime.

Graphics

On the graphical front, Wetlands leans into a gritty, industrial palette. Background art is richly detailed, featuring rusting pipes, neon signs reflecting off wet pavement, and debris strewn across factory levels. Sprites are well-animated, with enemies reacting realistically to different weapons—bullets splash, bodies tumble, and explosions light up the screen with satisfying punch. The occasional boss encounter boasts larger, more elaborate designs that tower over the player in jaw-dropping fashion.

Wages of War takes a more isometric, top-down approach. Here, terrain variety is key: forests, desert outposts, and urban districts each feel distinct and darkly atmospheric. Unit models are small but recognizable, with tanks, helicopters, and infantry all sporting unique animation frames. The interface keeps overlays minimal so players can admire the battlefield without being distracted by cluttered HUD elements.

Although the two DVDs of Black Eagle and China O’Brien aren’t “graphics” in the game-sense, they’re nonetheless presented on crisp, remastered discs. The contrast ratio holds up surprisingly well for late-’80s and early-’90s source material, and minor graininess only adds to the retro charm. Subtitles come packaged in multiple languages, and both films boast clear audio channels, ensuring your cinematic respite looks as good as it plays.

Story

Wetlands doesn’t aim for Shakespearean drama—it’s a simple tale of corporate malfeasance and biological weapons gone awry. You play an unnamed operative sent in to neutralize a rogue facility. Dialogue is delivered via brief text scrolls and digital comms chatter, but it lays enough groundwork to motivate your run-and-gun spree. It’s classic ’90s arcade storytelling: minimal exposition, high stakes, and an “all-bets-off” attitude toward explosions.

Wages of War unfolds on a broader geopolitical stage. As a mercenary commander, you accept contracts from various factions, each with its own agenda and moral pitfalls. The branching mission tree and optional side operations hint at multiple endings, encouraging replay to see how different allegiances affect the final outcome. While character development is minimal, the mission briefings and cutscenes provide enough context to care about the shifting balance of power.

The bundled films add another layer of narrative indulgence. Black Eagle’s plot—centered on stolen microfilm and Cold War intrigue—doubles down on espionage tropes, while Sho Kosugi’s expert ninja work and Van Damme’s trademark splits steal every scene. China O’Brien is more straightforward: a small-town cop fights organized crime with martial arts flair. Both movies complement the games’ action focus, reinforcing the set’s overall theme of no-holds-barred combat.

Overall Experience

Hard Boiled Action 1 shines as a collector’s item that bridges interactive and cinematic action. The pairing of two distinct game genres—run-and-gun mayhem and strategic warfare—gives you variety, while the throwback DVDs fill gaps with expertly choreographed fight sequences. Whether you’re an arcade enthusiast or a strategy buff, this package has something to keep you glued to the screen for hours.

The physical presentation is equally impressive. The limited edition box features dynamic artwork of Van Damme and Rothrock poised for battle, and the sturdy DVD and game case inserts feel made to last. Manuals and cover booklets dive into character bios, developer notes, and behind-the-scenes trivia for both films and games, adding collectible value for die-hard fans of ’80s and ’90s action cinema.

At its price point, Hard Boiled Action 1 represents strong value. You’re effectively getting two full games—each with its own style—plus two full-length DVDs of cult action classics. If you’re searching for a nostalgic throwback that still holds up for modern play sessions, this limited edition offering is a no-brainer. Strap in, load up, and get ready for a thoroughly satisfying dose of sweaty palms, strategic thinking, and high-octane nostalgia.

Retro Replay Score

null/10