Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

In Hellraider, players assume the role of the fearless commander of the HMS Raider, embarking on a high-stakes mission to sweep the infernal wastelands of the planet Hell for precious diamonds. The core loop is simple yet addictive: pilot your massive mothership through chaotic aerial arenas, collect shimmering gems, and fend off relentless waves of hostile fighters. The game strikes a satisfying balance between resource gathering and dogfighting, ensuring you’re never idle for long.

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A standout feature is the quartet of deployable fighters known as Orbitals. These nimble craft allow you to split your attention between diamond-hunting and enemy interception. When you dispatch an Orbital, the camera seamlessly follows its maneuvers, immersing you in the heat of battle. Meanwhile, the HMS Raider continues its automatic collection, or a second player can take over the mothership’s controls for true cooperative synergy.

That said, camera management becomes critical—and occasionally tricky—when swapping between your mothership and an Orbital. Stray too far from the Raider while piloting an Orbital, and you risk losing sight of the mothership’s diamond-collection zone. This tension elevates the challenge, rewarding players who master spatial awareness and communication if playing in two-player mode.

Graphics

Visually, Hellraider plunges you into a hellscape brimming with molten rock formations, eerie red skies, and jagged spires that punctuate the horizon. The game’s color palette leans heavily on reds and oranges, perfectly evoking the fiery ambiance of its titular planet. Subtle dynamic lighting and particle effects further amplify the sense of otherworldly danger as you navigate treacherous caverns and volcanic chasms.

The design of the HMS Raider and its Orbitals strikes a pleasing contrast against the hellish backdrop. The heavy, angular lines of the mothership convey raw power and resilience, while the sleek silhouettes of the fighters exude agility and precision. Enemy units range from horned bombardiers to swift dart-like interceptors, each boasting unique models and attack animations that keep encounters visually fresh.

Performance remains consistently smooth even when dozens of projectiles and explosions fill the screen. Textures hold up well at higher resolutions, and draw distances are generous enough to spot clusters of diamonds or incoming threats from afar. Minor frame dips can occur during the most chaotic firefights, but overall optimization ensures the spectacle never devolves into a slideshow.

Story

Hellraider’s narrative sets a straightforward stage: you are a privateer captain commissioned to plunder the most inhospitable reaches of one of the universe’s deadliest planets. While the story doesn’t delve into elaborate cutscenes or branching dialogue, it embraces a pulp sci-fi ethos—harsh, gritty, and driven by the promise of fortune.

Environmental storytelling takes center stage, with ruined fortresses half-buried in lava flows and cavern walls etched with the remains of ill-fated explorers. These visual cues hint at the high mortality rate of previous expeditions and underscore the ruthless conditions you’re up against. The sense of isolation and constant threat keeps the stakes feeling personal and immediate.

Periodic mission briefings and radio chatter add just enough context to keep you invested without bogging down the action. You’ll overhear snippets of corporate politicking, rival privateer taunts, and Dr. Volkov’s exasperations as he tries to remotely guide your operation. It’s a lean approach to storytelling, but one that fits the game’s breakneck pace and focus on gameplay momentum.

Overall Experience

Hellraider delivers a compelling blend of strategic resource management and adrenaline-fueled aerial combat. The dual-vehicle mechanic—juggling the HMS Raider alongside its agile Orbitals—creates a constant juggling act that remains intriguing throughout the campaign. Whether you’re flying solo or teaming up with a friend, the cooperative potential elevates every firefight into a dynamic, coordinated dance.

The game’s presentation is consistently strong, from its fiery Hell visuals to its crisply designed ships and effects. Sound design deserves praise as well: the roar of the mothership’s engines, the crackle of laser fire, and the ominous rumble of distant eruptions all contribute to a deeply immersive atmosphere. The soundtrack—heavy on industrial beats and haunting melodies—keeps you locked into the infernal setting.

While the premise may feel familiar to veterans of sci-fi shooters, Hellraider stands out through its focused execution and the clever integration of diamond-collection mechanics. The steep learning curve surrounding camera management and coordination adds a rewarding layer of depth. For players seeking a challenging, co-op-friendly experience set against a beautifully realized hellscape, Hellraider is a raid worth undertaking.

Retro Replay Score

null/10