Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Troika delivers a trio of gameplay experiences that, while each rooted in classic arcade traditions, bring their own twist to familiar formulas. In Rebel Planets, you pilot a lone ship along the bottom edge of the screen, firing a single cylindrical projectile upward. You must bounce your shot off walls and obstacles to chip away at waves of alien invaders, balancing offense and defense as the projectile ricochets unpredictably. The hybrid of Space Invaders–style target waves and Breakout–inspired ricochet puzzles offers a surprising level of depth for such a simple premise.

Ivan’s Time Machine shifts the focus from reflexes to reasoning. Modeled closely on the Sokoban puzzle archetype, you guide Ivan through a tight maze strewn with collectible money bags and movable blocks. Success hinges on planning each block push in sequence; one wrong move can trap you in a corner or seal off critical passages. Though the rules are straightforward, the escalating complexity of each level keeps even seasoned puzzle fans on their toes as they map out optimal routes.

Metal Hearts rounds out the compilation with a race-against-the-clock puzzle challenge. As a plumber, you snap together straight and elbow pipe segments to connect an input valve to an exit before water bursts forth. Every piece you place triggers the flow to advance, forcing you to think quickly and lay the correct path under pressure. It’s a solid Pipe Dream clone, but its tight time window and gradually introduced new pieces make every minute feel urgent.

Together, these three games create a balanced package. Rebel Planets tests hand–eye coordination and timing, Ivan’s Time Machine exercises your logical planning, and Metal Hearts rewards quick spatial thinking under stress. Whether you want a break from one genre or to cycle between different mental tasks, Troika’s gameplay loop keeps things fresh.

Graphics

Visually, Troika embraces the retro aesthetic common to early ’90s home computer titles. Rebel Planets boasts crisp monochrome sprites and simple geometric shapes for both enemies and obstacles. While the lack of color might seem limiting, it actually helps you focus on projectile trajectories and enemy patterns without unnecessary flair. The screen layout is clean, and the jagged pixel art has a nostalgic charm for anyone who grew up with classic arcade cabinets.

In Ivan’s Time Machine, the maze walls and blocks are rendered in varying shades of gray, with the collectible money icons popping in a brighter tone to guide your attention. Animations are minimal—blocks slide discretely along the grid, and Ivan himself shuffles at a modest pace—but that austerity keeps the puzzle front and center. There’s no flashy background, but the clear visual hierarchy ensures you never lose track of movable elements.

Metal Hearts introduces a bit more color, using blue and cyan pipes against a dark backdrop to simulate a “plumbing network” feel. Each pipe segment clicks into place with a satisfying pixel animation, and when the water finally sloshes through your constructed route, the animation is surprisingly dynamic for such a minimal engine. While none of these games push the envelope with detailed backgrounds or high frame rates, the consistent retro styling ties them together into a cohesive package.

Story

Troika’s three games are essentially arcade diversions, so narrative takes a back seat to mechanics. Rebel Planets offers only the barest of context—you’re in a lone ship defending against planetary invaders. There’s no cut-scene or text scroll; the “story” emerges purely through escalating waves of enemies.

Ivan’s Time Machine provides a whimsical framing device: you’re helping Ivan recover scattered riches by manipulating time and space within the maze. Beyond that, however, there’s no dialogue or plot development. The puzzle setting alludes to time travel tropes, but you won’t uncover hidden lore or encounter NPCs along the way.

Metal Hearts gives you the role of a heroic plumber racing against a rising tide. It’s enough to motivate the clock-based puzzle, but again, there’s no overarching narrative arc, character progression, or in-game storytelling. For players seeking a rich tale or deep world-building, Troika’s games will feel more like standalone arcade challenges than story-driven adventures.

Overall Experience

Troika shines as a nostalgia-driven compilation that offers three distinct slices of old-school arcade and puzzle action. There’s remarkable variety here: one moment you’re gauging ricochets and enemy formations, the next you’re mapping out Sokoban-style block moves, and then you’re frantically snapping pipe pieces together under a time limit. That range keeps the collection from feeling repetitive, and it’s easy to drop in for a quick session of any one subgame.

The learning curve is forgiving across the board—controls are intuitive, and each title introduces new challenges at a gradual pace. Yet hardcore players will appreciate the depth that emerges as levels progress. The obstacle layouts in Rebel Planets get fiendishly intricate, Sokoban levels in Ivan’s Time Machine demand near-perfect planning, and Metal Hearts’ timer settings become almost unbearable on higher stages.

Where Troika falls short is in presentation polish and narrative hooks. If you expect modern UI conveniences, rich storytelling, or multiplayer modes, you might feel underwhelmed. But if you’re after tight, focused gameplay reminiscent of early home-computer era titles, you’ll find plenty to love. Priced modestly and boasting a low barrier to entry, Troika makes an ideal pick for retro enthusiasts and puzzle-shooter hybrids fans alike.

Ultimately, Troika offers solid bang for your buck, especially if you appreciate the quirks and constraints of early-’90s shareware. Its three distinct games provide hours of challenge, and though the package is light on story or cutting-edge visuals, the core mechanics deliver consistently engaging moments. For collectors of arcade-style curios or anyone seeking bite-sized mental workouts, Troika stands as a worthy addition to your digital shelf.

Retro Replay Score

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