Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

No. 2 Collection brings together three distinct experiences—Black Gold, Space M+A+X (alongside its C64 cousin Super Soccer), and Winzer—each delivering its own gameplay loop and challenges. In Black Gold, players take on the role of city managers in a steampunk world, harvesting precious oil reserves, balancing the gridlocked economy, and racing against rival corporations. The intricate resource management system demands careful planning: drilling too aggressively can trigger environmental disasters, while underinvestment leaves your city’s growth stagnant. Over time, you’ll discover that timing expansions and optimizing supply chains are the keys to outpacing the competition.

Space M+A+X swaps the oil derricks for interplanetary colonization. Here, you vie for control of alien worlds, guiding economic development, diplomatic negotiations, and military posturing. The Amiga/DOS engine showcases complex trade routes and planetary terraforming, rewarding methodical strategists who can juggle budgets while keeping an eye on expansion. In contrast, the bundled Super Soccer (C64) offers lightning-fast action on the virtual pitch, distilling soccer down to its essentials: passing lanes, precision shooting, and nimble defense. Though different in scope, both titles share a common thread of risk versus reward, whether you’re planting an interstellar colony or threading a through-ball to your striker.

With Winzer, the gameplay shifts again—this time to the cozy yet demanding world of viticulture. You start with a modest plot of land and a handful of grapevines, and must nurture your harvest through pruning, irrigation, and pest control. Winemaking is a season-based affair: autumn’s yield determines the quality of wine you can cellar, and each barrel you age adds reputation points in regional wine fairs. Patience is your ally here; long-term planning and incremental upgrades to your press and fermentation chambers pay dividends in pure, refined vintages.

Graphics

Graphically, No. 2 Collection spans multiple eras, resulting in varied visual styles that both charm and challenge the modern eye. Black Gold’s steampunk cityscapes are rendered in detailed pixel art, with animated oil rigs belching steam and ornate Victorian structures lining riverbanks. The muted color palette evokes a gritty industrial age, but every so often you’ll catch a flash of polished copper or green energy conduits that remind you of the speculative fiction roots. While the UI can feel busy, it’s surprisingly intuitive once you memorize the iconography.

Space M+A+X on Amiga and DOS systems is a treat for retro strategy fans. Planet surfaces are depicted with blocky yet colorful tiles, and fleet movements are highlighted by simple vector lines that cut through space. It’s not a visual powerhouse by today’s standards, but the clarity of information and solid frame rate make strategic planning feel immediate. Super Soccer on the Commodore 64 offers similarly crisp visuals—each player’s sprite is easily distinguishable, and smooth scrolling keeps the ball firmly in view. The simplicity of the graphics belies an addictive on-field intensity.

Winzer’s artwork leans toward the quaint and pastoral, with lush vineyard vistas and rustic cellars. Rows of grapevines ripple under breezy skies, and small animations like fluttering butterflies or cascading rain showers breathe life into the farmland. While the resolution is low by modern criteria, the attention to atmospheric detail—such as shifting sunlight angles and seasonal color shifts—reinforces the immersive simulation experience. Combined, these three visual presentations form an eclectic journey through pixel art’s golden ages.

Story

Although No. 2 Collection isn’t a narrative-heavy package, each game offers a thematic backdrop to guide your actions. Black Gold situates you in a world on the brink of an energy revolution, where rival barons vie for control of dwindling oil fields. Environmental, political, and economic conflict simmer beneath the surface, providing context for each expansion and diplomatic treaty you sign. You’re not just building a city—you’re shaping the future of an entire civilization.

In Space M+A+X, the storyline is built around interstellar corporate competition. Early missions introduce you to rival CEOs, each with their own ethos—some favoring brute force, others cunning trade deals. Between missions, briefings use text boxes and static images to highlight shifting allegiances, planetary crises, and espionage. While far from a cinematic epic, these narrative beats give purpose to your resource allocations and military build-outs, framing every conquest as part of a broader galactic saga.

Winzer tells a quieter tale: the rise of a humble winemaker. There are no interstellar threats or corporate villains here, only the capricious forces of nature and local market fluctuations. Festival announcements, neighborly gossip, and occasional requests for sponsorship of village events serve as narrative flourishes. Over time, your successes—and failures—build a legacy that resonates in small-town festivals and trade expos. It’s a gentle, character-driven story that emerges from your own strategic decisions rather than prewritten cutscenes.

Overall Experience

No. 2 Collection offers a buffet of genres, ensuring that almost every strategy and simulation enthusiast will find something to enjoy. The compilation’s strength lies in its diversity: from the industrial sprawl of Black Gold, through the cosmic colonization of Space M+A+X/Super Soccer, to the bucolic charm of Winzer’s vineyards. Switching between these worlds reveals how timeless game design can transcend platform limitations, each title providing a uniquely rewarding loop.

However, this anthology isn’t without its quirks. The dated interfaces require patience to master, and some quality-of-life features—like quick saves or detailed tooltips—are absent. Multiplayer support varies across titles, meaning you’ll need to adjust expectations if you hoped for head-to-head or cooperative play. Despite these hurdles, the nostalgic visuals, hearty gameplay mechanics, and unexpected depth make for a compelling package.

For retro gamers and preservationists, No. 2 Collection serves as both a time capsule and a reminder of the creativity that thrived on early home computers. Newcomers might find the learning curves steep, but those who embrace the challenge will uncover hours of strategic planning, resource juggling, and immersive world-building. Whether you’re drilling for fuel, negotiating interplanetary alliances, or crafting award-winning vintages, this compilation delivers a varied and engaging experience.

Retro Replay Score

7.1/10