Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

XS throws you headlong into brutal deathmatch arenas where every round feels like a high-stakes gauntlet. From the moment you step off the dropship, you must make critical loadout decisions—selecting two weapons that will define your combat style. Whether you favor rapid-fire SMGs for close-quarters chaos or sniper rifles for pick-and-precise elimination, the choice reshapes how you approach each free-for-all encounter.

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Movement and map control are paramount. XS retains classic FPS mechanics—strafing, sprint-jumping, and tight corner peeks—while layering in platforming segments that force you to think three-dimensionally. Mastering double-jumps and wall-runs isn’t strictly mandatory, but doing so can yield powerful vantage points and surprise entry points that turn the tide in your favor.

Enemy AI oscillates between opportunistic campers and aggressive berserkers, keeping you on your toes across a series of escalating rounds. Death is permanent for your character, but XS cleverly resets you into the next arena without heavy downtime. This relentless pacing maintains adrenaline levels, yet offers brief windows for tactical re-evaluation between bouts.

Weapon variety is a highlight: energy blades that slice through armor, grenade launchers that reshape battlefield geography, and experimental firearms that punish reckless play. Combined with an unlock system tied to secret objectives, XS encourages experimentation and rewards those willing to push the meta.

Graphics

XS’s graphics engine delivers a stark, neon-laced vision of the future. Arenas are carved from corroded metal and lit by pulsating hazard lights, evoking a dystopian coliseum where every flash of muzzle flame and explosion paints the walls in crimson hues. The color palette balances grime with startling neon accents, reinforcing the game’s violent yet stylish tone.

Character models and armor sets feel weighty and brutal. Rivets gleam on steel plates, and tattered cloth flaps realistically as combatants charge. Animations are crisp: you can almost hear the rasp of breathing beneath a helmet or the metallic clank when an opponent reloads. These small touches amplify immersion, making each kill feel truly earned.

Environmental details stand out in close-quarters maps brimming with interactive elements. Control panels spark under fire, collapsing scaffolds create new chokepoints, and destructible barriers open fresh lines of sight. XS maintains steady frame rates even when gore and particle effects reach fever pitch, ensuring performance never undermines the spectacle.

Lighting and post-processing add depth and drama. Volumetric fog drifts around fallen bodies, while high-contrast shadows accentuate every knife slash. Though texture resolution occasionally dips on distant geometry, these moments are fleeting and rarely detract from the visceral, in-your-face presentation.

Story

At its core, XS is propelled by a dark mystery: your friend and associate—long presumed dead—has resurfaced as a herald of these gladiatorial blood sports. His message sets you on a course to infiltrate the games and unmask the puppeteers behind the carnage. This personal motivation lends weight to each bout, transforming mindless slaughter into a quest for truth.

Narrative beats are delivered between rounds via encrypted datalogs, frantic comms chatter, and brief cutscenes that drip with noirish tension. While the plot doesn’t overshadow the combat, it weaves just enough intrigue to keep you invested in each new arena. Uncovering hidden dossiers and piecing together your associate’s cryptic clues adds a satisfying detective layer.

Supporting characters—fellow contestants, shady promoters, and unseen corporate overlords—are sketched with just enough personality to matter. Voice acting ranges from gravelly veterans issuing taunts to jittery rookies whose fear echoes in every tremor. Though some dialogue borders on cliché, the delivery often sells the grim stakes convincingly.

The world-building around the fast-food meat trade is chilling. Learning that defeated combatants end up ground into burgers gives every victory a bitter aftertaste, reinforcing the game’s central commentary on spectacle and exploitation. This moral undercurrent elevates XS beyond pure arena mayhem into a cautionary tale of entertainment run amok.

Overall Experience

XS delivers a relentlessly intense FPS experience that blends classic deathmatch sensibilities with a tightly woven narrative. Its pacing rarely lets up, meaning players craving constant action will feel thoroughly sated. The balance of loadout customization, map innovation, and AI unpredictability keeps each session fresh.

Visually and sonically, the game hits hard. The dystopian arenas, draped in neon gore, are as memorable as the satisfying thud of a headshot. Sound design amplifies the immersion—bullet whizzes, explosive roars, and distant screams all combine into a bone-shaking soundscape that never lets you forget what hangs in the balance.

While some may find the unrelenting brutality taxing over long stretches, quick-play match options and checkpointed challenges break up the intensity. For completionists, discovering every secret arena, mastering every weapon, and unlocking hidden story reels offers significant replay value.

Whether you’re a veteran FPS fan or a newcomer drawn by the dark intrigue, XS stakes a bold claim in the arena shooter genre. Its combination of fierce combat, graphic artistry, and morally charged storytelling makes it a standout choice for anyone seeking a visceral, thought-provoking gaming experience.

Retro Replay Score

5.8/10