Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Planet of the Apes delivers a side-scrolling action experience reminiscent of classics like Prince of Persia, challenging players with precise jumping, climbing, and timed maneuvers. You guide Ulysses through treacherous environments filled with crumbling ruins and hidden pitfalls. The level design demands careful observation—one wrong step can send you plummeting into spike pits or trigger a swinging log trap.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

Combat encounters are woven seamlessly into the platforming segments. Starting armed only with a knife, you’ll face hordes of trained ape sentries who patrol corridors and guard key passages. As you progress, you unlock firearms—first a pistol, then a shotgun—that add ranged strategy to your approach. Timing your shots and managing limited ammo becomes crucial when multiple foes converge.

Across 13 challenging levels, the difficulty curve is steady but unforgiving. Each stage introduces new obstacles—from collapsing floors to electrified barriers—keeping the gameplay fresh. Should you fall in battle or miss a critical jump, the password feature lets you resume from your current chapter without replaying the entire journey, offering a welcome convenience for modern players and retro enthusiasts alike.

Graphics

The game’s sprite work is surprisingly detailed for its era, capturing Ulysses’s determined stance and the menacing posture of ape adversaries. Character animations—especially climbing routines and combat swings—are smooth and responsive, lending a sense of weight to every action. Environmental backdrops shift from overgrown ruins to ape-fortified strongholds, each framed with a muted palette that evokes a post-apocalyptic Earth.

Still‐image cut scenes punctuate the action, modeled after the iconic 1960’s films. These static illustrations use high-contrast shading and period-correct costuming to convey drama without full-motion animation. While they lack voiceovers, the evocative stills effectively advance the narrative and immerse players in the source material’s cinematic atmosphere.

Particle effects—like dust clouds when floors collapse or muzzle flashes from firearms—add visual flair without overwhelming the screen. Enemy projectiles and environmental hazards are clearly delineated, allowing you to react with precision. Overall, the graphics balance clarity and style, maintaining readability during frantic sequences.

Story

Planet of the Apes adapts the legendary 1960’s film saga into an interactive quest. You assume the role of Ulysses, a deep‐space astronaut returning to Earth after 200 years, only to discover apes have overthrown humanity. The oppressive atmosphere is established immediately as you awaken in a decimated world where human survivors scavenge for hope.

As Ulysses links up with pockets of resistance, each level represents a step closer to the ape capital. Along the way, brief but impactful cut scenes reveal the stakes: General Ursus’s impending assault on final human refuges. Dialogue is delivered through on-screen captions and stylized portrait art, preserving the tone of the original films while keeping gameplay moving.

Pacing is deliberate—platforming sections build tension, then narrative beats reward progress with revelations about the backstory and the bonds between Ulysses and his allies. Though the plot doesn’t stray far from familiar Ape-universe tropes, it succeeds in evoking the tragedy and urgency that made the movies memorable.

Overall Experience

Planet of the Apes offers a solid blend of platforming and combat set against an iconic sci-fi backdrop. Fans of retro action games will appreciate the tight controls and inventive traps, while devotees of the film series will enjoy the faithful nods to the source material. The game strikes a nostalgic chord without feeling like a mere cash-in.

Difficulty is balanced by the password resume system, so new players can tackle late-game challenges without frustration. However, veterans craving a real test can attempt to clear each level in a single sitting, mastering jumps and conserving ammo. The 13‐level length provides a satisfying campaign that respects your time.

In the end, Planet of the Apes stands as a commendable adaptation that blends classic platform mechanics with the dramatic lore of its cinematic predecessors. Whether you’re storming ape strongholds or navigating deadly traps, the journey to halt General Ursus’s reign delivers a compelling and action-packed adventure for retro gaming enthusiasts.

Retro Replay Score

6.1/10