Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The Incredible Hulk: The Pantheon Saga delivers a straightforward yet satisfying beat-’em-up experience from an isometric 3D perspective. Players guide the green goliath through a series of interconnected platforms, laying waste to hordes of grunts with nothing but raw muscle. Basic attacks—punches, kicks and throws—form the backbone of combat, while environmental hazards and level geometry encourage thoughtful positioning.

As you inflict damage, a gamma energy meter fills, unlocking two over-the-top special moves: the Vortex Spin and the Floor Hammer. Each move feels suitably devastating, giving you a brief moment of true super-powered recklessness. Smart use of these abilities is key to clearing rooms of weaker enemies and wearing down tougher foes without relying on cheap hit-and-run tactics.

Intermittent pickups allow you to call in one of the four Pantheon heroes—Atalanta, Ulysses, Ajax or Hector—to fight alongside you for a limited time. These summoned allies add a welcome layer of strategy, breaking up the relentless onslaught and letting you experiment with different team synergies. Timing a rescue or power boost can turn the tide in a tense boss battle.

Level design courses through 13 main stages plus two bonus arenas, each punctuated by platforming sequences that force the Hulk to hop from ledge to ledge. Fans of his legendary leaping powers may find this restrictive, but the challenge of navigating tight corridors and narrow walkways keeps things fresh. Regenerative health gives you a chance to recover between skirmishes, reducing the frustration of repeated failures.

Graphics

On first glance, Pantheon Saga’s visuals evoke a clear nod to the Loaded series, with chunky character models rendered in bright, comic-inspired colors. The isometric camera shows off each arena well, while detailed textures bring crates, machinery and alien flora to life. It’s not cutting-edge by today’s standards, but it retains a certain retro charm.

The Hulk himself is impressively animated for a mid-’90s title—each fist pump and ground pound carries real weight. Enemies, from generic henchmen to monstrous boss characters like Piecemeal or the U-Foes, exhibit distinctive silhouettes and attack patterns. Special moves trigger flashy effects, including radial shockwaves and flying debris, heightening the sense of power.

Environments vary from high-tech Pantheon strongholds to lava-lit caverns and snow-blasted outposts. Each location introduces new hazards—electrified floors, spinning blades, collapsing platforms—that keep you alert. Though draw distance can be limited and slowdown occasionally crops up on the Saturn version, the overall presentation remains coherent and engaging.

On PC and PlayStation, loading times are reasonable, and the game maintains a steady frame rate even in crowded battles. Saturn players may notice minor graphical flicker, but performance rarely dips enough to disrupt the flow of combat. Overall, the aesthetic successfully captures the comic-book spirit of the Hulk universe.

Story

Pantheon Saga opens with a twist: members of the Pantheon, a mysterious group of lawful superheroes, have kidnapped the Hulk. Instead of outright hostility, they enlist his brute strength to help dismantle a rogue faction threatening global security. This uneasy alliance provides context for why Hulk is smashing both lesser goons and mighty super-villains alike.

True to Marvel lore, the narrative drops you into battles against iconic foes: Piecemeal’s stitched-together army, the psychic assaults of Trauma & Lazarus, and the cosmic menace of the U-Foes. Each arch-enemy encounter unfolds with minimal cutscenes but memorable boss arenas that feel tailored to their unique abilities. You get the sense of reading through an action-packed comic issue.

Between levels, brief story interludes establish objectives and reveal the Pantheon’s motives. Though the plot never aspires to Shakespearean depth, it’s a faithful homage that rewards fans with recognizable names and motivations. The occasional cameo by summoned heroes also hints at a broader universe, laying groundwork for future installments.

While dialogue is sparse and exposition lean, the game’s pacing benefits from its focus on action. You never wait long for the next punch-up or boss showdown, and the narrative beats land just enough to keep you invested without slowing the gameplay rhythm.

Overall Experience

The Incredible Hulk: The Pantheon Saga offers a satisfying dose of green-skinned brawling that will please Marvel aficionados and old-school action fans alike. Its simple controls and clear objectives make it instantly approachable, while the variety of special moves and summoned allies adds strategic flair.

However, the fixed isometric camera and platforming segments can occasionally hamper movement and judgment calls. Losing the Hulk’s trademark long-distance leaps in favor of short hops introduces a level of frustration when precision is demanded. Boss encounters, though visually striking, sometimes hinge on trial-and-error memorization.

Still, the thrill of unleashing a gamma-charged Vortex Spin in a cramped corridor full of goons is hard to beat. Regeneration mechanics and reasonably forgiving checkpoints keep the game moving forward, even if you stumble. The level design, punctuated by varied backdrops and hazards, ensures each stage feels distinct.

In the end, Pantheon Saga stands as a solid mid-’90s action title with the Hulk’s unstoppable might at its core. If you’re looking for a comic-faithful, muscle-bound romp with plenty of smashing and a sprinkling of strategy, this is a greenlight worthy adventure—warts and all.

Retro Replay Score

5.3/10