Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

If It Moves, Shoot It! delivers a fast-paced, classic-style top-down shooter experience that immediately feels familiar yet refreshingly new. From the moment you launch your ship onto the battlefield, you’re thrust into wave after wave of Korts—hostile alien crafts hellbent on preventing your rescue mission. Each wave offers a steady ramp-up in difficulty, urging you to master strafing runs, dodge intricate formation fire, and time your own shots to maximum effect.

Progression hinges on your kill count rather than a traditional leveling system, which keeps gameplay focus squarely on skillful play. As you destroy more alien ships, you unlock newer and more advanced weapons—from rapid-fire cannons to homing missiles—that drastically change how you approach each upcoming wave. This dynamic weapon progression injects a satisfying sense of momentum: even if a round overwhelms you, knowing that the next run brings more firepower keeps you coming back for “just one more try.”

The controls are tight and responsive, with dual-stick support enabling simultaneous movement and firing. This control scheme elevates the challenge and rewards precision: you can circle strafe a cluster of Korts while peppering them with smart bombs or focus-fire on turret emplacements before they wreak havoc on your hull. The inclusion of screen-clearing power-ups and temporary shields adds layers of strategic decision-making—should you save your special weapon for a boss wave or use it immediately to clear a hectic swarm?

Graphics

Visually, If It Moves, Shoot It! strikes a nostalgic chord by reusing the vertically-scrolling backgrounds from the Amiga’s Phantom Fighter, but it doesn’t feel like a lazy port. The richly detailed alien landscapes—icy caverns, volcanic plains, and star-strewn voids—are brought to life with modern lighting effects and subtle particle enhancements. These upgraded backgrounds serve as a dynamic canvas for the frenetic combat that unfolds atop them.

Enemy and ship sprites are crisp and colorful, each with distinct silhouette designs that make it easy to prioritize threats in a crowded playfield. The Korts range from nimble scout ships to hulking juggernauts, and their animations—explosive break-apart sequences, electric charge buildups, or fiery death throes—add visual flair to every encounter. Power-up icons and weapon upgrades pop against the backdrop, ensuring you never miss a crucial pickup during the heat of battle.

Special effects, such as screen shakes on heavy explosions and muzzle flashes on rapid-fire weapons, contribute to a visceral sense of impact. The frame rate remains rock-solid even when dozens of enemies are on-screen, a testament to the developers’ optimization. While the art direction pays homage to ’90s shooters, the graphical polish and consistent performance make it feel right at home on modern systems.

Story

At its core, If It Moves, Shoot It! offers a straightforward en-route narrative that serves as motivation rather than the centerpiece. You play the role of a lone pilot tasked with combating the relentless Kort invasion and rescuing lost settlers scattered across hostile territories. The story is delivered through brief mission intros and environmental cues, keeping the action front and center while still providing context for your crusade.

Subtle worldbuilding emerges through background details: crashed colony ships in the distance, distress beacons pulsing on alien outposts, and audio logs hinting at the settlers’ plight. These small narrative droplets invite players to imagine the broader conflict and feel invested in each rescue operation. Although there are no branching dialogues or character interactions, the minimalist storytelling aligns well with the game’s arcade ethos.

The developers wisely lean on the forefathers’ mantra—if it moves, shoot it!—to encapsulate the game’s philosophy. This tongue-in-cheek motto underlines the no-nonsense approach to the narrative: enemies appear, you blow them to bits, and you press forward. For players seeking deep lore, the story may feel light, but for those craving uninterrupted shooting action with just enough narrative flavor, it strikes the perfect balance.

Overall Experience

If It Moves, Shoot It! nails the thrill of old-school shooters while infusing just enough modern sensibility to keep things fresh. The weapon progression system offers tangible rewards for persistence, and the escalating difficulty curve ensures every run delivers a satisfying challenge. Whether you’re a veteran of the arcade era or a newcomer curious about top-down shooters, this title has broad appeal.

The decision to repurpose the Amiga’s Phantom Fighter backgrounds could have come off as derivative, but careful graphical enhancements and varied enemy designs make the levels feel vibrant and alive. Combined with rock-solid performance and a pulsing electronic soundtrack, the visual and auditory package keeps your adrenaline pumping throughout lengthy play sessions.

Ultimately, If It Moves, Shoot It! succeeds by focusing on core shooter fundamentals—responsive controls, rewarding upgrades, and explosive combat—without overcomplicating the formula. It’s a love letter to retro gaming that stands on its own merits, delivering a compelling blend of nostalgia and modern polish. For anyone in search of intense, wave-based alien-blasting action, this game is a clear target—and one you’ll gladly fire upon again and again.

Retro Replay Score

null/10