Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

William Shatner’s TekWar places you squarely in the boots of Jake Cardigan, an ex-cop who’s been thawed out of cryo sleep and thrust into the morally murky world of New LA. From the moment you pick up the first weapon—a basic pistol—you’ll feel the weight of your contract: take down the seven Tek Lords and their henchmen, but exercise caution to avoid collateral damage. The core loop of navigating each mission, locating key targets, and managing civilian bystanders demands a blend of precision shooting and situational awareness uncommon in its era.

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The game leans heavily on the Build Engine’s signature level design, featuring winding corridors, hidden rooms, and secret switches. Each of the seven missions offers a distinct layout—ranging from gritty back alleys to neon-lit nightclubs—keeping exploration fresh. Enemies vary in toughness and tactics; grunt-level dealers rely on hit-and-run tactics, while the Tek Lords themselves bristle with heavy armor and rapid-fire weaponry. Your arsenal grows accordingly, with upgrades like the Tek disruptor rifle or the stun baton adding tactical depth.

Perhaps the most intriguing gameplay twist is the need to spare innocents. New LA’s civilians wander mission maps unaware of your true objective, and any stray bullet can end a career. This mechanic injects a layer of tension—especially in crowded environments—forcing you to choose between full-throttle aggression or careful target acquisition with piercing scopes and silenced weapons. Though rudimentary by today’s standards, this blend of action and restraint remains compelling, encouraging replay to perfect each mission under your own moral code.

Graphics

TekWar’s visuals are built on the same 2.5D engine that powered classics of its day, offering a mix of flat planes and sprite-based enemies. Walls and floors are adorned with grime-splattered textures and neon signage, painting a believable vision of a near-future dystopia. While polygon counts are minimal, the stylized art direction compensates with moody lighting effects—flickering fluorescents in abandoned factories and pulsating glow from Tek labs lend an atmospheric sheen that holds up even decades later.

Character sprites and enemy models are surprisingly detailed, with distinctive color palettes to signal friend or foe at a glance. Explosions and muzzle flashes burst forth in pixel-rich splendor, and the Build Engine’s height variance system allows for multi-level arenas where you’ll duck behind crates or climb stairwells to gain the high ground. Performance-wise, TekWar runs fluidly on modern hardware, and fan-made source ports have since unlocked higher resolutions and widescreen support, sharpening the original textures without altering their retro charm.

Environment design also contributes to immersion: dusty backrooms cluttered with overturned tables, office corridors lined with flickering monitors, and back-alley graffiti hinting at New LA’s political undercurrents. Though you won’t find realistic physics or dynamic shadows, the stylized set pieces and neon color palettes make each mission memorable. If you’re drawn to vintage shooters, TekWar’s graphics provide a satisfying balance of nostalgia and atmosphere.

Story

TekWar’s narrative is lifted almost verbatim from William Shatner’s cyberpunk novels, casting you as a protagonist who must navigate a world addicted to Tek, a psychoactive drug that warps perception and fuels rampant crime. The premise is classic pulp—ex-cop turned contract killer—and it unfolds through in-game holodisc briefings and arcade-style cutscenes. While the dialogue can feel stilted at times, it amplifies the pulpy, sci-fi-noir vibe that fans of the books will appreciate.

Over seven missions, you learn bits and pieces about each Tek Lord: from mobster kingpins to rogue scientists whose experiments have backfired spectacularly. These personalities provide texture beyond mere targets; they taunt you with broadcasts, leaving digital calling cards that raise the stakes. Although the plot isn’t a sprawling epic, it’s paced effectively—each victory over a Tek Lord peels back a layer of New LA’s underworld, revealing a darker and more desperate conspiracy.

Supporting characters are few but impactful: your handler at the Cosmos Detective Agency delivers mission intel with snarky one-liners, while occasional civilian encounters humanize the blighted city. Though voice acting is largely absent, text-driven exposition and mood-setting music cues fill in emotional beats. The result is a succinct but engaging storyline that never overstays its welcome, providing just enough intrigue to drive you from mission to mission.

Overall Experience

Playing William Shatner’s TekWar today is like cracking open a time capsule of mid-’90s PC gaming. Its fast-paced shooting, combined with a straightforward narrative about a bitter cyborg-like ex-cop, channels pure retro energy. Modern players might balk at the lack of autosave or the need to manage ammunition sparingly, but these design choices serve as a reminder of an era when every bullet counted and fear of starting over kept you on edge.

Strengths lie in its brisk pacing and unique gameplay hook—balancing lethal force against the imperative to protect civilians. Level design remains commendable, with memorable boss arenas and well-hidden secrets that reward exploration. On the flip side, some players may find the AI predictable, and the dated controls require patience to master. Still, these quirks are part of the title’s nostalgic appeal rather than outright flaws.

Ultimately, TekWar is a rewarding jaunt through cyberpunk lore, ideally suited for fans of classic first-person shooters and William Shatner’s novelist persona. Its blend of arcade-style action, moral decision-making, and pulpy story beats makes for a compact but satisfying package. If you’re looking for a no-frills, retro sci-fi shooter that challenges you to be tactical as well as trigger-happy, TekWar is well worth your time—even after all these years.

Retro Replay Score

5.6/10