Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Disney’s Tarzan Untamed delivers a variety-packed gameplay experience that keeps players engaged across its 15 expansive levels. From the outset, the core mechanic of vine-swinging feels intuitive, allowing Tarzan to soar through the jungle canopy with satisfying momentum. Each swing, release, and grab is responsive, which is crucial when timing your jumps to avoid pitfalls or capture swinging vines that appear just out of reach.

(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 👍)

Beyond the signature vine-swinging, the game introduces thrilling segments of bungee jumping off towering branches and surfing down roaring rivers. These sequences break up the traditional platforming with pulse-pounding speed and dynamic obstacles, requiring quick reflexes to dodge rocks or leap across churning rapids. The inclusion of wrestling mini-games affords yet another layer of variety, as you lock horns with Gardner’s mechanical traps and rogue animals in one-on-one bouts that test your timing and button-combo mastery.

Terk’s Challenge mode offers a fresh twist, transforming the familiar environments into race-against-the-clock tests of skill. In each timed scenario, you can select from five characters—Tarzan, Terk, Jane, Tantor, or Professor Porter—each boasting unique movement quirks or power-ups. Beating the clock not only sharpens your mastery of the level layouts but also encourages replayability, as chasing faster times rewards you with hidden pathways and collectible bonuses.

Level design is thoughtfully crafted to balance exploration with linear progression. As you rescue imprisoned baby apes and destroy Oswald Gardner’s 75 nefarious film reels, secret alcoves and branching routes invite curious players to uncover bonus collectibles. Whether you’re traversing vine networks high above the forest floor or navigating Gardner’s makeshift film vaults, the game consistently strikes a satisfying blend between challenge and accessibility.

Graphics

Visually, Tarzan Untamed captures the lush vibrancy of the jungle environment with bright foliage textures and sun-dappled lighting effects. The levels pop with color, making each area—from thick underbrush to open tree canopies—feel alive and welcoming. While polygon counts remain modest by modern standards, character models remain recognizable and expressive, particularly during cutscenes where Tarzan’s determined expressions and Gardner’s maniacal sneers add charm to the story beats.

Animation is smooth and varied, especially during action sequences. The fluidity of Tarzan’s swings, jumps, and rolls enhances the sense of momentum, while the ragdoll effects in wrestling bouts impart a delightfully comic edge when opponents are flung off-screen. Surface details such as rippling water in river segments and gently swaying vines contribute to an immersive atmosphere, making each cycle feel dynamic rather than static.

Boss arenas and Gardner’s film reel lairs boast distinct visual themes that keep the game’s aesthetics fresh. From the darkened caverns littered with vintage projector reels to the sunlit cliffside overlooks, each environment introduces new lighting cues and set pieces. Particle effects—like dust motes or warm sunbeams—help reinforce a sense of scale as you swing beneath towering trees or charge through abandoned machinery.

Character animations during Terk’s Challenge mode are equally charming. Jane’s elegant cartwheels and Tantor’s lumbering gallops showcase the development team’s attention to individuality. Small touches—like Professor Porter’s frantic clutching of research notes or Gardner’s animated tantrums—add personality, making each playable character worthwhile to experiment with visually.

Story

The narrative of Tarzan Untamed begins with the nefarious scientist Oswald Gardner invading the jungle and imprisoning all the baby apes in specialized cages. Gardner’s obsession with capturing wildlife for his experimental film reels sets the stage for Tarzan’s hero’s journey: a race to free his kin and put an end to the scientist’s twisted documentary project. Destroying all 75 reels becomes as much a personal vendetta as rescuing the young apes, giving players clear motivation to press forward.

Story Mode unfolds across 15 levels that each reveal new chapters in Gardner’s plot. As Tarzan, you encounter cutscenes that illustrate both the threat to the ape community and glimpses of Professor Porter’s frantic attempts to thwart Gardner. Jane and Terk drop in at critical moments, providing assistance or comedic relief. Their interactions feel true to the source material, reflecting genuine concern for the apes and Tarzan’s world.

Though the storyline remains relatively straightforward, it effectively drives the pacing. The escalating stakes—from early vine-swinging rescues to high-tension boss encounters—maintain a sense of urgency. Gardner’s cinematic obsession adds a playful meta-commentary: he’s as interested in profit and spectacle as he is in controlling the jungle’s creatures, which ties neatly into the game’s emphasis on ‘destroying the tapes’ and liberating nature from exploitation.

Subplots, such as Terk’s rivalry with Gardner’s robotic traps or Tantor’s comedic mishaps during rescue missions, lend character depth without overshadowing the main quest. While dialogue is kept brief, each line serves a purpose, ensuring that the primary focus stays on the vibrant platforming action while still imbuing the journey with personality.

Overall Experience

Disney’s Tarzan Untamed offers an accessible yet richly varied platforming adventure that appeals to fans of the film and newcomers alike. Its combination of intuitive controls, diverse level mechanics, and charming character interactions makes for a compelling package that never feels repetitive. Whether you’re exploring dense foliage, mastering timed challenges, or battling Gardner’s mechanical menaces, the core gameplay loop remains engaging throughout.

The inclusion of multiple playable characters in Terk’s Challenge mode significantly extends replay value. Chasing faster completion times reveals hidden secrets and unlocks small rewards, encouraging thorough exploration of each level. This keeps speedrunners and completionists equally entertained long after the main storyline is finished.

While certain segments may lean on trial-and-error—especially in the more complex vine-swinging gauntlets—the overall difficulty curve is well balanced. Players can expect a fair challenge that rarely becomes frustrating, thanks to generous checkpoints and responsive controls. Young players will appreciate the intuitive design, and seasoned platformers will find enough depth to stay invested.

In summary, Tarzan Untamed stands out as an engaging licensed title that honors its cinematic roots while delivering robust gameplay. Its colorful graphics, varied mechanics, and straightforward yet charming narrative combine into an experience that feels both nostalgic and fresh. For those seeking a family-friendly platformer with plenty of heart and adventure, rescuing baby apes alongside Tarzan in this jungle quest is a venture well worth taking.

Retro Replay Score

6.6/10