Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The Greatest delivers a remarkable collection of four distinct experiences, each representing a different genre and approach to interaction. Dune challenges players with a hybrid of real-time strategy and adventure elements, tasking them with resource management, diplomatic negotiation, and tactical combat. Its interface may feel dated to modern gamers, but the depth of its mechanics ensures that every decision carries weight, fostering a satisfying sense of agency as you strive to control the spice trade on Arrakis.

Jimmy White’s Whirlwind Snooker offers a simulation-driven take on cue sports, presenting precise ball physics and responsive controls. Players guide their cue action with a clear HUD, dialing in spin and power to execute break-building shots or strategic safeties. Practice tables and tournament modes provide varied challenges, whether you’re fine-tuning your aim or competing through bracketed events against AI opponents of varying skill levels.

Lure of the Temptress transports you to a medieval fantasy world, using a point-and-click system that was ahead of its time. Its “talking head” engine seamlessly merges dialogue, exploration, and inventory puzzles—creating an immersive flow. Solving environmental riddles, conversing with NPCs to gather clues, and using cleverly placed hot-spots, this title exemplifies classic adventure design with minimal pixel-hunting frustration.

Shuttle brings a different pace, presenting a flight simulator that emphasizes realistic shuttle handling and mission-based objectives. Players plot orbital trajectories, execute mid-course corrections, and dock with space stations or Mir-like modules. The cockpit view may appear basic, but mastering orbital mechanics and fuel management delivers a genuine sense of accomplishment with each successful re-entry and landing.

Graphics

On Amiga and Atari ST, Jimmy White’s Whirlwind Snooker shines with a crisp, colorful palette that highlights the green baize and polished balls. Animations are smooth for the hardware era, though modern eyes may notice minor sprite tearing during rapid cue pulls. On PC, higher resolutions bring sharper tables and more pronounced lighting effects, enhancing the realism without sacrificing performance.

Dune’s visuals vary noticeably between platforms. The PC version’s VGA graphics showcase detailed character portraits and richly hued landscape tiles, while the Amiga release leans on its chipset strengths to render smooth animations and atmospheric parallax scrolling. Both maintain clear UI elements for spice harvesting and troop movement, though pixel density differences are audible to the keen-eyed retro enthusiast.

Lure of the Temptress offers some of the most evocative art in the compilation, with hand-painted backgrounds and expressive character sprites. On VGA-equipped PCs, the palette extends to 256 colors, resulting in lush forest glades, dank dungeons, and elaborately designed castle interiors. Atari ST and lower-end systems still impress with clever dithering and a strong sense of depth in each scene.

Shuttle’s cockpit instrumentation is functional more than flashy, with vector-style gauges and simple HUD overlays. On PC, resolutions up to 320×200 deliver sharper text and instrument markings, whereas Atari ST’s lower color count introduces a modest flatter look. However, the essential flight cues remain clear, ensuring gameplay clarity even on less capable hardware.

Story

Dune weaves a narrative faithful to Frank Herbert’s universe, placing you in the role of Paul Atreides as you navigate political intrigue and barbarian alliances. The branching missions and evolving AI hostility create a dynamic storyline that adapts to your strategic choices, delivering emergent drama that feels personal and impactful.

Jimmy White’s Whirlwind Snooker is lighter on narrative, focusing instead on the professional snooker circuit framework. With minimal story beats—primarily match introductions and victory celebrations—the emphasis stays firmly on building your reputation through wins, high breaks, and tournament glory rather than plot-driven progression.

Lure of the Temptress stands out for its original dark-fantasy tale, in which a tyrannical sorceress rules Nevenshire with an iron fist. You arrive as an outsider with mysterious abilities, gradually uncovering the town’s hidden resistances and forging alliances with quirky NPCs—from sword-wielding peasants to shape-shifting sprites. The storyline unfurls through well-written dialogue and atmospheric set pieces, culminating in a tense showdown that rewards thorough exploration.

Shuttle’s narrative is rooted in NASA-style mission logs and briefings, casting you as a test pilot on increasingly complex flights. Though sparse on character drama, the mission descriptions and in-flight updates create a persistent sense of purpose, whether you’re deploying satellites or conducting EVA repairs. The procedural storytelling complements the technical challenges, making each flight feel like a milestone in your astronaut career.

Overall Experience

The Greatest’s primary allure lies in its genre-spanning diversity. Retro enthusiasts will relish revisiting these classics in one package, while newcomers gain exposure to the formative designs that shaped adventure, strategy, sports, and simulation gaming. The compilation runs smoothly on modern systems, with configurable controls and optional scanline effects to replicate CRT authenticity.

Controls and interfaces, though faithful to the originals, may feel clunky for players accustomed to contemporary refinements. Keyboard shortcuts for inventory management in Lure of the Temptress and precise mouse drags in Shuttle require a brief acclimation period. However, these quirks soon become part of the charm, evoking memories of floppy-disk era discovery and experimentation.

The Greatest also includes digital extras—manual scans, concept art, and developer interviews—that enrich the historical context. These bonus materials are an excellent touch for fans of Virgin Games’ legacy, offering insight into the creative processes behind each project. Whether you’re studying early Westwood storytelling techniques in Dune or admiring The Bitmap Brothers’ art direction in Jimmy White’s Snooker, the compilation goes beyond mere gameplay preservation.

In sum, The Greatest stands as a compelling anthology that offers remarkable replay value across all four titles. Its varied genres, robust presentation, and faithful emulation make it an easy recommendation for any retro gaming aficionado or curious newcomer seeking to experience the roots of modern game design. The package’s affordability and breadth of content ensure hours of engaging gameplay, adventure, and nostalgic appeal.