Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Time Commando delivers a relentless action experience that plays out across eight distinct historical eras, each with its own enemies, weapons, and environmental hazards. Players step into the boots of Stanley Opar and must adapt quickly as they journey from the Prehistoric age—wielding rocks and bone knives—to the Future, where laser pistols and high-tech gadgets reign supreme. The core loop revolves around fast-paced combat punctuated by light puzzle-solving, pushing you to think on your feet while mastering era-specific arsenals.

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The control scheme and combat mechanics are reminiscent of early survival-horror titles like Alone in the Dark, featuring character-based movement and fixed camera angles that heighten tension. Stanley has three attack moves—light, heavy, and special—as well as a defensive block, which must be timed precisely to fend off diverse foes such as armored knights, roaming conquistadors, or cybernetic soldiers. Weapon selection is crucial: a well-placed katana slash in Feudal Japan can dispatch ninjas quickly, while a shotgun blast is the difference between life and death in the Wild West.

Adding to the urgency is a ticking time limit on each level, symbolizing the viral threat’s relentless advance. Players collect scattered computer chips to deposit in orb pools, which buy precious seconds against the countdown. Although puzzle elements are relatively simple—lever switches, locked doors, and maze-like corridors—they provide a welcome break from combat and encourage exploration. Overall, the gameplay strikes a balance between button-mashing thrills and strategic weapon management.

Graphics

Visually, Time Commando is a showcase of late-’90s ambition, blending pre-rendered backgrounds with polygonal character models. Each era is rendered in striking detail: lush foliage and roaming dinosaurs in the Prehistoric level, sun-drenched plazas and marble columns in the Roman Empire, and neon-lit corridors in the Future. The static backdrops create a cinematic feel, while the foreground character animations animate the action with surprisingly fluid motions for its time.

Enemy designs are distinct and varied, from snarling sabretooth cats to armored musketeers and robotic drones. The game’s use of color palettes enhances the sense of place—earthy tones and flickering torchlight in Medieval castles give way to dusty browns and muted greens in the Conquistador stage. Subtle effects like sparks from clashing swords or muzzle flashes in Modern Wars add dynamic flair, even if the particle effects appear dated by today’s standards.

While polygon counts are low by modern measures—resulting in blocky character silhouettes—the strong art direction compensates with imaginative set pieces and evocative atmosphere. Transitions between backgrounds and character models are seamless, though occasional clipping can occur when navigating tight corridors. Still, Time Commando’s visual presentation remains a charming time capsule that vividly conveys each historical period’s mood.

Story

The narrative setup of Time Commando blends science fiction with high-stakes adventure. In a near-future scenario, a corporate saboteur infects a top-secret military combat simulator with a destructive virus, unleashing a dimensional vortex that threatens global annihilation. Enter Stanley Opar, elite operative of S.A.V.E. (Special Action for Virus Elimination), whose mission is straightforward yet urgent: infiltrate the virus-ridden simulation and eradicate it before reality itself unravels.

Story progression is delivered through animated pre-rendered cutscenes that effectively bookend each era, providing snippets of exposition and raising the stakes. Though dialogue is minimal, the escalating peril—from outlandish prehistoric beasts to futuristic war machines—keeps players engaged. The narrative serves less as a character-driven drama and more as a framework for varied level design, but it succeeds in giving each stage purpose and momentum.

Stanley Opar himself remains something of an everyman hero, with little personal backstory beyond his role in S.A.V.E. Yet his silent determination, coupled with the time-sensitive premise, bolsters the sense of urgency. The virus antagonist is never personified, which keeps the focus on gameplay rather than on a specific villain. This streamlined approach may leave fans of deep lore wanting more, but it ensures that the action never loses its forward drive.

Overall Experience

Time Commando stands out for its inventive concept of historical time travel fused with arcade-style action. The variety of eras prevents monotony, and the constant weapon swapping injects freshness into battles. If you enjoy mastering different fighting styles and experimenting with ranged versus melee tactics, the game offers a satisfying challenge. The ticking clock mechanic adds a layer of tension that few contemporaries attempted.

However, the game’s dated control scheme and fixed camera angles can occasionally hamper fluid movement and lead to frustrating encounters, especially in narrow corridors. Combat, while engaging, may feel repetitive after mastering each era’s optimal tactics. Puzzle elements remain rudimentary, serving more as brief interludes than true brain teasers.

Despite its rough edges, Time Commando delivers a memorable, adrenaline-fueled ride through history and beyond. Its eclectic mix of combat, time pressure, and atmospheric backdrops make it an appealing choice for retro gaming enthusiasts and action fans alike. While it may not match the depth of modern action-adventure titles, its unique premise and era-hopping thrills ensure it remains a noteworthy relic of its time.

Retro Replay Score

7.7/10