Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The SSI Compilation offers a remarkable variety of gameplay styles, bringing together five distinct classics under one roof. From the isometric role-playing challenges of World of Aden: Thunderscape and Entomorph – Plague of the Darkfall to the hex-based operational campaigns of Allied General, players are treated to an unmatched buffet of strategic and narrative-driven experiences. Each title preserves its original mechanics, ensuring that veterans of early ’90s PC gaming will feel right at home, while newcomers can appreciate the depth and ambition that defined SSI’s golden era.

Thunderscape and Entomorph deliver deep character progression systems, exploration, and tactical combat that require careful party management and resource allocation. Characters gain experience, learn new skills, and can equip a variety of weapons and armor, encouraging multiple playthroughs to test different builds. Allied General and Steel Panthers, on the other hand, emphasize operational and tactical warfare. Allied General’s turn-based hex maps command divisions across Europe and North Africa, while Steel Panthers places you on the front lines of brigade- and battalion-scale encounters, demanding precision in movement, line of sight, and combined-arms coordination.

Great Naval Battles Vol. IV: Burning Steel, 1939–1942 shifts the focus to naval warfare, with realistic ship models, range tables, and damage mechanics that capture the nuances of World War II maritime engagements. Players assume the role of fleet admiral, issuing orders to carriers, battleships, cruisers, and destroyers as they race to control vital sea lanes. The compilation’s strength lies in this diversity: whether you want to navigate a party through a fiendish dungeon, command allied divisions against Rommel, or steer a cruiser under torpedo threat, the SSI Compilation delivers robust, era-defining gameplay in every genre it covers.

Graphics

Graphically, the SSI Compilation showcases the evolution of early ’90s DOS-era visuals across multiple engines. Thunderscape and Entomorph employ colorful, hand-drawn isometric tiles and sprite-based characters that evoke the look and feel of classic pen-and-paper RPG illustration. Although pixelated by modern standards, the attention to detail in environmental textures—lava streams, ruined temples, and alien forests—remains impressive, offering a nostalgic charm that complements the gameplay.

In Allied General and Steel Panthers, the hex-based tactical maps and unit counters are crisp and clear, allowing players to distinguish armor types, infantry, artillery, and support elements at a glance. The UI overlays are minimal but functional, with data panels showing movement points, attack factors, and supply status. Animations—such as tanks firing or artillery barrages—may appear austere today, but they effectively convey battlefield action and give each engagement a visceral punch.

Great Naval Battles Vol. IV stands out with its detailed ship silhouettes and oceanic backdrops. Smoke plumes, shell splashes, and flaming funnels are represented through simple but evocative sprite effects. While there’s no dynamic lighting or 3D models, the compilation retains the authenticity of ship silhouettes, range circle overlays, and damage reports that hardcore naval enthusiasts will recognize and appreciate. Overall, the graphics serve their purpose—immersing players in each game’s setting—without the distractions of modern graphical bells and whistles.

Story

Two of the compilation’s gems—World of Aden: Thunderscape and Entomorph – Plague of the Darkfall—boast elaborate narratives set in a richly imagined world. Thunderscape introduces players to a realm torn by elemental storms and political intrigue, tasking them with unraveling ancient mysteries and forging alliances among competing city-states. Entomorph continues in the same universe, blending dark fantasy and horror as players investigate a plague of insectoid monsters, uncovering conspiracies that link back to Thunderscape’s overarching lore.

These RPG chapters feature branching dialogue options, varied side quests, and NPCs with memorable personalities. The world-building is deep: codices reveal the history of the Aden setting, and minor choices can affect quest outcomes and party morale. While the writing occasionally dips into period-specific cliché, the overall narrative cohesion and the satisfaction of solving multi-step quests remain a high point of the compilation.

By contrast, Allied General, Steel Panthers, and Great Naval Battles Vol. IV rely on historical context rather than fictional storytelling. Scenario briefings set the stage for campaigns: you’ll follow Operation Torch, Case Blue, or convoy battles in the North Atlantic, complete with period photographs and concise mission objectives. This blend of factual backdrop and turn-based challenge effectively immerses players in World War II’s strategic dilemmas, even if there’s no branching narrative or character-driven subplot.

Overall Experience

The SSI Compilation stands as a testament to the breadth and ambition of early PC gaming. By uniting two deep RPG adventures with three robust wargaming simulations, it caters to both narrative seekers and strategy enthusiasts. The compilation’s greatest appeal is in its variety: you can spend an afternoon exploring ancient crypts and the next tackling a Panzer division at Kursk—all without switching media or installing multiple packages.

Of course, the collection retains some archaic design choices: keyboard-driven UIs, lack of mouse-centric menus in certain games, and limited in-game tutorials. Modern players may face a steep learning curve, especially in mastering Allied General’s supply lines or calibrating naval gun ranges in Burning Steel. However, the inclusion of scanned manuals or digital help files can bridge the gap, and the payoff—authentic, uncompromising systems—is well worth the effort.

For anyone intrigued by the roots of RPGs and wargames, The SSI Compilation represents excellent value. The preservation of these five titles in a single package not only simplifies access but also highlights the shared DNA of strategy and role-playing genres. Whether you’re a veteran looking to revisit a beloved classic or a newcomer eager to experience gaming history, this compilation delivers an engaging, rewarding journey through some of SSI’s finest work.

Retro Replay Score

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