Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Soldiers of Fortune delivers a fast-paced run-and-gun experience that blends classic overhead shooting mechanics with open-air level design. Players navigate sixteen distinct stages divided into four thematic groups, each offering unique obstacles such as winding rivers crossed by precarious bridges and sprawling factory grounds patrolled by mechanical monstrosities. The similarity to Gauntlet is immediately apparent, but the outdoor environments and strategic map layout give the game its own identity, rewarding exploration and tactical positioning.

The six playable characters introduce a compelling layer of choice and strategy. Each mercenary comes with different speed, firepower, and starting cost, allowing players to tailor their approach to the battlefield. Whether you prefer the nimble assassin or the heavy-hitting brute, there’s a character to fit every playstyle. In single-player mode, the AI-controlled partner handles door-breaking, power-up collection, and enemy engagement, adding a cooperative feel even when you’re going it alone.

Cooperative play shines in two-player mode, where coordination and teamwork can turn the tide against the Chaos Engine’s mechanical horde. Sharing power-ups, covering flanks, and synchronizing attacks become essential for survival, especially on higher difficulty levels. Despite occasional pathfinding hiccups in the AI companion, the overall pacing remains tight, with health pickups and weapon upgrades strategically placed to encourage forward momentum and dynamic firefights.

Graphics

Visually, Soldiers of Fortune embraces a metallic-blue palette that the Bitmap Brothers are known for, creating a steely, industrial atmosphere throughout. The top-down perspective is crisp, and sprites are well-animated, giving life to a variety of clockwork soldiers, turret defenses, and steam-powered bosses. Environmental details like rusted girders, smoky furnaces, and shifting gearworks enrich the immersion and reinforce the Victorian–steampunk aesthetic.

Level transitions are smooth, and each set of four stages shares a coherent visual theme while introducing new hazards and background elements to avoid visual fatigue. Water effects under bridges shimmer realistically, and explosions crackle with satisfying pixelated flair. On more powerful machines, the game can run at a higher resolution, sharpening textures and enabling subtle lighting effects that enhance depth without sacrificing the series’ signature style.

The HUD remains clean and unobtrusive, presenting health, ammo, and score information along the screen’s edges. Weapon icons are distinct and intuitive, making it easy to cycle through rifles, shotguns, and experimental future arms provided by the time traveler’s blueprints. While there’s no advanced shader work or 3D geometry, the sprite-based presentation holds up remarkably well, thanks to consistent artistic direction and polished animation frames.

Story

Set in an alternate Victorian England, Soldiers of Fortune weaves an engaging narrative about hubris and rebellion. A time traveler’s futuristic knowledge fell into the hands of Baron Fortesque, who then birthed the Chaos Engine—an AI powerful enough to assimilate its creator’s mind and plunge Britain into mechanical madness. This steampunk thriller provides a rich backdrop for the relentless onslaught of automatons that players must dismantle.

While the plot unfolds primarily through brief cutscenes and mission introductions, it effectively frames each level’s objectives and stakes. Early chapters pit you against scavenger drones in foggy London streets, while later stages escalate to fortress sieges and the heart of the Chaos Engine’s core. The story progression gives a palpable sense of escalation, making each victory feel significant as you advance toward the final confrontation.

Character backstories add color to the proceedings, with each mercenary motivated by a mix of greed, patriotism, or personal vendetta. Though the narrative stops short of deep character arcs, the variety of motivations provides enough flavor to keep players invested. Small dialogue snippets and enemy taunts further bolster the tension, ensuring that the lore remains a compelling undercurrent throughout the action.

Overall Experience

Soldiers of Fortune succeeds as both a nostalgic throwback and a fresh take on overhead shooters. The blend of tight shooting mechanics, diverse character options, and cooperative potential makes for an experience that’s as replayable as it is challenging. Whether tackling the campaign alone with an AI partner or teaming up with a friend, adrenaline-fueled firefights remain at the heart of every session.

The difficulty curve is well-balanced, rewarding careful play without ever feeling unfair. Power-ups and health refills are thoughtfully placed, encouraging players to push forward rather than camping in safe zones. Boss encounters punctuate each group of levels, providing memorable set-pieces that test your mastery of both character abilities and level layouts.

For fans of retro-inspired shooters and steampunk aesthetics, Soldiers of Fortune represents a high-water mark in atmospheric, run-and-gun design. Its seamless blend of evocative visuals, robust level design, and solid co-op mechanics ensure that the game remains a standout title. With hours of intense action and strategic choices baked into its core, this is a title that both newcomers and genre veterans will find hard to put down.

Retro Replay Score

7.6/10