Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Iron Man / X-O Manowar in Heavy Metal embraces the classic side-scrolling beat ’em up formula popularized by titles like Final Fight. Players choose between two distinct comic book heroes—Iron Man or X-O Manowar—and blast, punch, and slash their way through seven action-packed levels. Each stage stays true to the linear progression fans expect, with enemies spawning from all sides and growing tougher as you push toward the boss encounter at the end.

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Combat hinges on a simple but effective combo system. Iron Man relies on repulsor blasts, flight-assisted strikes, and missile attacks, giving him an edge at range; X-O Manowar, by contrast, wades into melee with relentless sword swings, shield bashes, and raw strength. This difference in playstyle encourages experimentation—switching characters can help overcome particular boss patterns or crowd control situations. Special moves are limited by an energy bar, adding strategic depth to each encounter.

The game’s boss fights shine as highlight moments. Every level culminates in a one-on-one showdown against a comic book heavy hitter—Mr. Hyde and The Melter in the Nuclear Plant Siege, Titania and Yellowjacket at Stark Enterprises, or Arnim Zola inside Zola’s Castle, to name a few. Recognizing and exploiting their attack patterns becomes essential. While some bosses feel like recycled skirmishes, the sprite work and timing windows keep most battles engaging rather than tedious.

Graphics

Graphically, Iron Man / X-O Manowar delivers vibrant, colorful sprites that channel the look of their source comics. Backgrounds change dramatically from the industrial gloom of the nuclear plant to the sleek corridors of Stark Enterprises, and from the war-torn streets of New York City to the alien-fused environments on the Dromak ship. Each level’s backdrop is detailed, lending an authentic comic-book atmosphere to the proceedings.

Character animations are fluid enough to sell each punch and energy blast, though they occasionally feel a bit stiff by modern standards. Iron Man’s flight sequence and X-O Manowar’s sword slashes stand out thanks to well-timed frames, and the boss introductions come with splashy effects reminiscent of comic panel reveals. Parallax scrolling and environmental hazards—such as molten metal spills in the Nuclear Plant or energy barriers on the Alien Dig—add depth and variety to the visual experience.

Enemy designs range from generic thugs in riot gear to larger, more detailed mini-bosses like the Dromak Gladiator and Mistress Crescendo. Color palettes shift appropriately between levels: muted grays and oranges for industrial zones, bright corporate blues and whites for Stark Enterprises, and eerie purples and greens in alien settings. The result is a varied tapestry that keeps your eyes engaged even during repetitive combat sequences.

Story

The narrative in Heavy Metal is straightforward: a mysterious syndicate has seized control of Earth’s most dangerous facilities and unleashed a cosmic threat. You start in a sabotaged nuclear plant, then fight corporate saboteurs at Stark Enterprises, and continue battling through the streets of New York and beyond. While the plot isn’t deeply woven, each stage is introduced with a short text crawl or comic-style panel explaining the stakes.

Comic book fans will appreciate the appearances of familiar villains like Baron Zemo, General Krytos, and Arnim Zola, as well as recurring boss Mistress Crescendo, who shows up in three different scenarios. The progression through Zola’s Castle and the final assault on the Dromak ship ties into a loose overarching threat centered around the Cosmic Cube, giving players just enough lore to stay invested without bogging down the action.

Cutscenes are minimal—mostly static images with captions—but they capture the spirit of a crossover event. Dialogue is sparse, and much of the story is told through boss names and level titles. This lightweight approach works well for a beat ’em up, ensuring the focus remains on the action while still delivering fan-service moments for those who recognize the characters.

Overall Experience

Iron Man / X-O Manowar in Heavy Metal excels as a pick-up-and-play cooperative brawler. A single playthrough takes roughly 30–45 minutes, depending on skill level and whether you tackle the hardest difficulties. The two-player mode shines, allowing one player to fly overhead as Iron Man while the other charges in as X-O Manowar—teamwork feels rewarding when you coordinate special attacks against bosses.

Repetition is the main drawback: stages follow a consistent pattern of walking, fighting waves of grunts, and then facing bosses, which can feel formulaic across seven levels. However, the unique boss roster and choice of hero help alleviate any monotony. Difficulty spikes around the Dromak Base Assault and the final showdown with General Krytos, providing a satisfying challenge for genre enthusiasts.

For fans of retro beat ’em ups and comic book crossovers, Heavy Metal delivers plenty of nostalgic thrills. Its straightforward design, vivid presentation, and varied boss encounters make it a solid choice for anyone seeking a classic sidescrolling brawler with two iconic protagonists. While it won’t redefine the genre, it more than pays homage to the era of arcade-style action games and remains an enjoyable romp for casual and hardcore players alike.

Retro Replay Score

5.6/10