Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The core of Satan’s gameplay revolves around a two-part scrolling hack ’n’ slash adventure. In the first segment, your mission is clear: locate three magic scrolls scattered across treacherous terrain. These scrolls serve as the key to progressing, and uncovering each one demands careful exploration and deft navigation. The moment you secure all three, you receive a password that unlocks the second half of your odyssey.

Once you transition into part two, the game shifts tone slightly, intensifying the action. Your magical prowess is amplified, granting you stronger spells, but the stakes are raised as menacing mutant demons swarm the screen in greater numbers. Collecting swords and lightning bolts becomes crucial, as the former lets you engage in close-quarter combat, while the latter unleashes a screen-clearing blast, offering a vital respite when enemies converge.

Throughout both sections, a ticking clock adds relentless pressure. Each level imposes a strict time limit, forcing you to balance thorough exploration with rapid progression. Contact with foes saps your limited energy reserves, so honing your reflexes to dodge attacks and make efficient use of your powers is essential for survival.

Adding another layer of strategy, part two introduces a rudimentary economy: fallen enemies drop coins which you can spend at in-game shops. Here you’ll find items such as rechargers to replenish energy, shields for temporary invulnerability, and teleporters that whisk you out of tight spots. Deciding whether to conserve coins or splurge on heavy-duty gear can be the difference between victory and being devoured by demon hordes.

Graphics

Graphically, Satan reflects the era of its release with pixel art that brims with sinister charm. The hand-drawn demons exhibit enough detail to convey their grotesque nature, while the backgrounds shift from dank dungeons to fiery caverns, each palette evoking an ominous atmosphere. Though not pushing hardware limits, the sprites animate smoothly, and enemy designs remain memorable after repeated encounters.

The two-part structure also allows for a noticeable evolution in visual flair. Part one leans towards moody, shadow-laden corridors, while part two bursts into brighter, more dynamic environments. Occasional parallax scrolling creates depth, and screen-clearing lightning effects deliver a satisfying spectacle when you unleash your magical arsenal.

On lesser hardware, flicker can occasionally mar the action, particularly when multiple enemies overlap on screen. However, this slight drawback does little to diminish the overall aesthetic, and seasoned retro enthusiasts will likely view it as part of the game’s nostalgic appeal rather than a fault.

Menus and shop interfaces follow a straightforward design—text-based with iconography—enabling quick purchases and seamless transitions between exploration and inventory management. While minimalist, these UI elements never obstruct the action, preserving immersion in the shadowy world of Satan.

Story

At its heart, Satan offers a classic hero’s journey cloaked in occult imagery. You take on the mantle of a wizard whose fellow spellcasters have been abducted by demonic forces. The first objective—recovering the three sacred scrolls—carries both practical and symbolic weight, representing the rekindling of lost arcane knowledge.

Upon re-entering the fray in part two, the stakes escalate: armed with newfound power, you trek deeper into enemy territory to free your comrades and thwart the ultimate evil. The narrative unfolds almost entirely through in-game progression rather than cutscenes, but the environment and escalating difficulty effectively convey a sense of mounting peril.

Dialogue is minimal, but item descriptions and occasional on-screen prompts enrich the lore. You piece together hints of ancient rituals and the demons’ dark agenda, lending context to otherwise straightforward hack ’n’ slash proceedings. This sparse storytelling approach ensures the pace remains brisk without sacrificing thematic depth.

While the plot may not reinvent fantasy tropes, it offers just enough intrigue to keep players invested. The promise of rescuing fellow wizards and confronting the titular Satan provides a compelling hook, and the gradual reveal of the game world’s darker secrets rewards dedicated exploration.

Overall Experience

Satan delivers a potent blend of fast-paced combat, exploration, and light RPG elements. Its two-part design offers clear progression milestones, while the password system instills anticipation between sessions. For enthusiasts of retro action titles, it strikes an ideal balance of challenge and reward, with each successful boss encounter feeling like a genuine triumph.

The game’s difficulty curve is firm but fair. Early sections teach fundamental mechanics, while later levels demand mastery of dodging, timing, and resource management. The in-game shops are a welcome respite, letting you tailor your equipment loadout to suit your preferred playstyle—be it all-out offense or cautious defense.

Replay value hinges on perfecting runs and uncovering every secret scroll location as efficiently as possible. Speedrunners will appreciate the precise controls and defined level boundaries, while completionists can savor the satisfaction of fully upgrading their arsenal before the final confrontation.

Though it hails from a bygone era, Satan remains a worthwhile experience for anyone seeking old-school hack ’n’ slash thrills. Its blend of magic, melee, and marketplace mechanics keeps gameplay varied, ensuring that each venture into its demon-infested realms feels both familiar and exhilarating.

Retro Replay Score

6.2/10