Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Infestation throws you right into the action as Superhero Kal Solar, armed only with your wits, a jetpack, and a high-tech helmet HUD. The dual movement modes—one for free panning and exploration, the other for locked-in shooting—create a dynamic rhythm that keeps you on your toes. Switching between these modes feels intuitive once you get used to the layout, but mastering the transition under pressure is key to surviving the alien onslaught.

Resource management is a core pillar of Infestation’s gameplay loop. You’ll constantly monitor oxygen levels and breathable air via your suit’s sensors, track ammo reserves, and scavenge for health packs across the decimated Alpha 2 colony. Each object you pick up—from keycards to repair tools—has a clear purpose, and using them effectively feels like solving a series of interconnected puzzles in the midst of all-out chaos.

The alien threats escalate naturally as you destroy eggs and venture deeper into the research complex. Early encounters involve scouting patrols of slimy crawlers; later, you face fully grown, agile predators that force you to rethink your tactics. The infra-red kit becomes indispensable in darkened corridors, and the interplay between stealth, strategy, and shootouts gives Infestation a tense, almost claustrophobic edge.

Adding to the intensity, the jetpack handles surprisingly well, allowing for quick vertical maneuvers and brief high-speed dashes. This aerial dynamic gives combat an extra layer, letting you dodge attacks or reach otherwise inaccessible vantage points. Timing your bursts and conserving fuel are just as important as lining up your shots, making each firefight feel like a high-stakes ballet between hero and monster.

Completing objectives in sequence—disable security consoles, collect data logs, locate the infra-red kit—creates a strong sense of progression. The game’s final push to destroy all 167 eggs and escape the collapsing compound is a satisfying crescendo, blending frantic combat with timed puzzle elements that truly test your mastery of movement and resource management.

Graphics

Visually, Infestation paints a grim but striking picture of the Alpha 2 colony on Xelos. Detailed textures bring the research outpost’s corridors, hydroponic labs, and alien hives to life. Rusty metal panels, flickering lights, and bio-organic growths combine to form a haunting backdrop that amplifies the sense of isolation and dread.

The alien eggs themselves are impressively rendered, with pulsating membranes and subtle sheen effects that hint at the life writhing within. Watching the eggs react to your presence—quivering or emitting eerie glows—builds anticipation and dread. When you finally destroy them, the splash of alien goo and erupting shell particles make for a visceral payoff.

Lighting and shadow play a critical role in Infestation’s atmosphere. Your helmet HUD overlays informational displays without obstructing your view, with crisp, legible icons for health, oxygen, direction, and supplies. Underlit hallways and backlit control panels cast stark silhouettes, making every corner a potential hiding spot for alien lurkers.

Particle and environmental effects—like venting steam, drifting spores, and flickering monitor screens—add another layer of immersion. Explosions from your plasma rifle or jetpack thrusters kick up debris, and the occasional structural collapse sends chunks of the ceiling tumbling. These details, combined with a steady frame rate, ensure you stay rooted in Xelos’s deadly environs.

On higher-end hardware, reflective surfaces on your suit and real-time shadows enhance the visual fidelity, though the game remains accessible on mid-tier rigs with scaled-down effects. Whether you’re a graphics purist or a performance-oriented player, Infestation delivers a solid visual experience that underscores the game’s tense, sci-fi horror vibe.

Story

The narrative of Infestation hinges on a classic “lone hero vs. alien threat” premise, but it’s enriched by subtle world-building details. As Kal Solar, you’re not just a faceless soldier—you’re a superhero with a backstory hinted at through data logs, radio transcripts, and the very design of your suit. These breadcrumbs help you piece together the colony’s downfall and your mission’s true stakes.

The setting on Xelos feels lived-in and authentic. Abandoned crew quarters show personal effects scattered in panic, while research journals detail the initial alien contact. These environmental stories add emotional weight; every doorway you breach feels like entering another tragic chapter of the colony’s demise. Your goal of destroying 167 eggs carries more urgency when you understand what each one represents: the potential end of countless lives.

Dialogue is sparse but effective. Brief comms from remote scientists and engineers guide you toward objectives and reveal plot twists—such as a traitorous experiment gone wrong or a hidden exit route. While you don’t get extensive cutscenes, the in-game audio logs and helmet HUD alerts weave a coherent storyline that unfolds organically as you explore.

Kal Solar’s internal monologue, delivered via radio transmissions, adds personality without overstaying its welcome. His quips and tactical comments crack tension during lulls in action, and his reactions to environmental horrors help maintain immersion. The story’s pacing—with moments of high-intensity combat interspersed by investigative exploration—keeps the narrative moving without dragging.

Ultimately, Infestation’s story doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it earns its keep through strong environmental design, well-timed revelations, and a concrete sense of purpose. By the time you’re sprinting toward the escape shuttle with the compound collapsing around you, the stakes feel undeniably real.

Overall Experience

Infestation delivers a tightly woven sci-fi horror experience that balances action, exploration, and puzzle-solving. The combination of helmet HUDs, resource constraints, and dynamic combat sequences keeps adrenaline levels high from start to finish. If you enjoy methodical progression tempered by sudden bursts of terror, this game will scratch that itch.

The learning curve can be steep, especially when juggling oxygen management, ammo conservation, and jetpack maneuvers simultaneously. However, the game’s checkpoint system is generous enough to prevent frustration, and the steady escalation of difficulty feels fair. Finding that first infra-red kit or successfully clearing a nest of eggs delivers a genuine sense of accomplishment.

Multiplied by atmospheric graphics and a compelling, if familiar, storyline, Infestation stands out as a polished indie title with AAA aspirations. The narrative unfolds at a brisk pace without overwhelming you with lore, and the gameplay loop of hunt, destroy, and escape remains engaging well into the late game.

While the absence of co-op or multiplayer modes might disappoint some, the single-player campaign feels complete and self-contained. The focus on immersion and tension pays off, making each playthrough memorable. Veterans of the survival-horror and sci-fi shooter genres will find plenty to appreciate here.

In the end, Infestation on Xelos offers a thrilling ride through a nightmarish alien-infested colony. Kal Solar’s mission to eradicate the threat and save humanity is both compelling and fun to play. Whether you’re a hardcore horror fan or a shooter enthusiast, this game provides an immersive challenge you won’t soon forget.

Retro Replay Score

7.4/10