Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Liero delivers an adrenalin-fueled, real-time twist on the classic turn-based formula popularized by Worms. At the start of each match, players select five weapons from an impressive arsenal of 40, ranging from simple pistols and shotguns to devastating bazookas and the notorious chiquita cluster bomb. This depth of choice means every duel feels unique: will you load up on high‐firepower explosives or opt for rapid‐fire rifles that let you keep the pressure on?

Movement and terrain manipulation are just as important as marksmanship. Worms can burrow through mud, leap to new vantage points, and swing across chasms using ninja ropes. This freedom of traversal creates thrilling moments as you chase opponents through winding tunnels or mount surprise attacks from above. The environment becomes your weapon just as much as any bazooka—carefully routed tunnels can lead foes into deadly ambushes.

All weapons have infinite ammo but require reloads after their clip is emptied. Powerful armaments may need reloading after each shot, forcing you to balance aggression with tactical retreats to avoid being caught reloading in the open. Crates containing weapon power‐ups occasionally drop, instantly replacing your active weapon and turning the tide of battle. The result is fast‐paced, relentless mayhem where split-second decisions often decide victory or defeat.

Graphics

Despite being first released in the late ’90s, Liero’s pixel art holds up remarkably well. Characters and weapons are rendered with clear, vibrant sprites that make every shot, explosion, and blood spurt feel satisfying. The exaggerated gore—rivers of bright red pixels—adds a comic‐book flair to each skirmish, emphasizing the game’s over‐the‐top action without ever feeling gratuitous.

Destructible terrain is central to the visual experience. Each bullet hole, tunnel, and cave is carved into the landscape in real time, leaving a dynamic battlefield that tells the story of previous clashes. This level of environmental feedback is rare for a title of its era and remains one of Liero’s most charming visual hooks.

The color palette is bold yet balanced, ensuring that players and weapons stand out against earthy backgrounds. Animations are smooth enough to communicate movement and recoil clearly, even when the screen is filled with explosions. While modern gamers may notice a lack of high‐definition polish, the game’s stylistic choices give it an enduring, energetic aesthetic that still looks great on today’s screens.

Story

Liero forgoes a traditional narrative in favor of pure, sandbox combat, letting players write their own stories match by match. There’s no campaign with cutscenes or plot twists—just you, your weapons, and the ever‐changing underground arenas. This stripped‐down approach keeps the focus firmly on skill, creativity, and wit.

However, the lack of an overarching storyline doesn’t mean the game is devoid of personality. The emergent tales—narrow escapes, surprise rope swings, and last‐second cluster bombs—forge memorable moments that become personal highlights. In Liero, your best “story” often emerges from a chaotic free‐for‐all rather than a scripted narrative.

Some might see the absence of a formal plot as a downside, but for those seeking pure multiplayer mayhem, it’s a feature, not a bug. You and your friends—or online opponents—provide all the drama. The game’s simplicity means you can jump right into the action without wading through cutscenes or tutorials.

Overall Experience

Liero remains a masterclass in elegant, emergent gameplay. Its blend of speedy real‐time combat, deep weapon customization, and fully destructible environments creates near‐endless replayability. Whether you’re a veteran of Worms-style titles or new to the genre, Liero’s intuitive controls and immediate action make it easy to pick up and hard to put down.

The game’s minimalistic approach—eschewing story campaigns for pure battle arenas—means matches are always short, sharp, and explosive. It shines brightest in local splitscreen or online multiplayer, where trash‐talk and joyous destruction go hand in hand. Even solo skirmishes against bots can produce entertaining highlights, but the shared chaos of human opponents is where Liero truly excels.

In an era of sprawling, cinematic experiences, Liero is a breath of fresh air. Its focus on core gameplay loops—dig, aim, shoot, reload—combined with a ridiculous arsenal and dynamic terrain, has kept players coming back for decades. If you’re after a fast-paced, endlessly customizable multiplayer brawler, Liero remains an essential classic that continues to entertain and inspire.

Retro Replay Score

7.4/10