Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Lorna’s gameplay loop leans heavily on straight-ahead, action-packed combat. From the moment you step onto the alien world, your objective is simple: advance, engage, and eliminate anything that stands between you and the next mission checkpoint. The controls are accessible, with a smooth transition between hand-to-hand combos and ranged assault-rifle fire. Even newcomers to the hack-and-slash/shooter hybrid will find it easy to string together melee strikes, dodges, and precise shots without wading through a mountain of tutorials.

The enemy roster is delightfully varied, ranging from nimble insectoid scouts to hulking mutant brutes that can absorb more bullets than you’d expect. Each monster type forces you to adjust tactics on the fly—closing in for a flurry of punches against small foes or maintaining distance to pepper heavily armored beasts with rifle fire. Weapon pickups and ammunition drops are thoughtfully placed, so you rarely find yourself completely outgunned, but you will need to manage resources if you want to stay in top fighting shape.

Progression in Lorna comes through a modest upgrade system: as you dispatch enemies and find hidden caches, you earn upgrade points that can be spent on increasing melee damage, boosting rifle accuracy, or enhancing your health pool. While the upgrade tree isn’t deep, it provides enough customization to let you tailor Lorna’s fighting style to your preferences—be it a brawling bruiser or a precision marksman. Side objectives and hidden paths also reward exploration, adding a light Metroidvania twist to the otherwise linear campaign.

Graphics

Visually, Lorna embraces a bold, comic-inspired style that pays homage to Alfonso Aspiriz’s source material. Environments range from desolate alien deserts to bioluminescent caverns, each rendered with vibrant textures and dynamic lighting that make exploration feel fresh. The game’s color palette often contrasts the heroine’s sleek, form-fitting armour against the muted tones of the planet’s surface, ensuring that Lorna always stands out in the midst of battle.

Character models are detailed and expressive. Lorna’s animations—whether she’s winding up a punch, sliding under an alien’s strike, or ducking behind cover to reload—are fluid and responsive. Enemy designs are equally imaginative, with grotesque mutants sporting extra limbs, chitinous plating, or unnatural glowing eyes. There are occasional texture pop-ins on distant terrain, but during combat, the frame rate remains stable and smooth, even when dozens of foes are on screen.

Special effects like muzzle flash, particle debris, and motion blur during special melee finishers elevate the intensity of each skirmish. The HUD is minimalist, showing ammo, health, and current objectives without cluttering the screen. Overall, while it may not push the boundaries of next-gen visuals, Lorna strikes a fine balance between comic-book flair and polished 3D action, making it a joy to look at throughout its 10–12 hour campaign.

Story

Drawing from Alfonso Aspiriz’s popular comics, Lorna’s narrative centers on a fearless heroine battling a hostile alien invasion. The premise is straightforward: fend off waves of extraterrestrial creatures that threaten to overrun human outposts on a remote planet. While the overarching plot won’t win awards for complexity, it captures the classic sci-fi spirit of “one warrior against the swarm.”

Dialogue is delivered with earnest energy. Lorna herself is portrayed as tough-talking and determined, delivering quips between firefights that inject a touch of humor without undercutting the stakes. Supporting characters—fellow soldiers, stranded scientists, and shady arms dealers—add depth through short side missions that reveal bits of backstory and the larger context of the alien threat. Though cutscenes are mostly static-camera affairs with voiceovers and comic-style panels, they effectively move the story forward.

Fans of the source comic will appreciate nods to iconic locations and character moments, while newcomers can easily follow along without prior knowledge. The narrative pacing aligns well with gameplay progression: as Lorna uncovers the aliens’ true objectives, each mission feels progressively more urgent. Though the story adheres to familiar tropes, its earnest execution and faithful adaptation of Aspiriz’s art style make it engaging from start to finish.

Overall Experience

Lorna delivers a solid third-person action experience rooted in comic-book excitement and straightforward, satisfying combat. Its blend of melee and ranged mechanics, coupled with a modest upgrade system, ensures players always have options for tackling the alien hordes. Though the level design follows a largely linear path, hidden routes and collectibles provide incentive for exploration.

Graphically, the game’s colorful environments and dynamic effects bring the world to life, even if it doesn’t break new ground among its peers. Performance remains consistent, and the art direction channels the spirit of Alfonso Aspiriz’s illustrations. Storywise, Lorna may not revolutionize sci-fi narratives, but it offers enough character charm and plot progression to keep you invested throughout its duration.

For fans of comic-inspired shooters and anyone seeking an action-oriented romp with a charismatic heroine, Lorna is a worthy purchase. It strikes a balanced chord between pick-up-and-play accessibility and enough depth to reward thoughtful combat and exploration. Whether you’re a longtime follower of the source material or a newcomer looking for a no-nonsense alien-blasting adventure, Lorna has plenty to offer.

Retro Replay Score

6.2/10